Bible Study - Prophecies (3) - The Savior Who Came to US - Luke 2:4-12, 16-20 - December 19, 2021

Bible Study – Prophecies (3) – The Savior Who Came to Us – December 19, 2021

This is lesson three in our series entitled, “Prophecies: That Point Us to JESUS.”

Our focus scripture is Luke 2:4-12, 16-20.

JESUS came for our salvation.

JESUS knew in Heaven and upon earth what HIS role in GOD’S redemptive process meant. It was the difference between gaining or losing eternal life for all people. JESUS was praying for HIS disciples and all of those who have or will receive HIM as their Savior as we read John 17:1-5:

Jesus spoke these things, looked up to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, ² since you gave him authority over all people,^[a] so that he may give eternal life to everyone you have given him. ³ This is eternal life: that they may know (not just know about YOU but to really know YOU) you, the only true God, and the one you have sent —Jesus Christ. ⁴ I have glorified you on the earth by completing the work you gave me to do. ⁵ Now, Father, glorify me in your presence with that glory I had with you before the world existed.

JESUS knew along HIS journey upon earth where HE came from, yet HE was 100% human. Do you think it was a temptation to JESUS when HE was humiliated and made fun of to restrain Himself from revealing to those – LOOK!!! You do not know who you are dealing with!!!

JESUS was tempted in all ways just as humans are tempted, yet without sin.

It is fitting that Dr. Luke was commissioned by Theophilus as recorded in Luke 1:1-4 to document the birth, life, death, resurrection, ascension of JESUS.

1 Many have undertaken to compile a narrative about the events that have been fulfilled^[a] among us, ² just as the original eyewitnesses and servants of the word handed them down to us. ³ So it also seemed good to me, since I have carefully investigated everything from the very first, to write to you in an orderly sequence, most honorable Theophilus, ⁴ so that you may know the certainty of the things about which you have been instructed.^[b]

Knowing JESUS’ history is one thing but knowing JESUS as our Savior requires a decision. Do you know JESUS as your Savior or as a man who lived a long time ago? Consider the evidence that HE was GOD in the flesh. HIS mission was to be the perfect sacrifice to pay in full for the sins of each person individually. It is the Holy Spirit that gives each person understanding and enlightenment. But to choose to accept JESUS as your Savior is personal and individual.

Dr. Luke ended the Book of Luke with the disciples and others waiting in Jerusalem, as instructed by JESUS, for the coming of the Holy Spirit. Then Dr. Luke begins his account of the working of the Holy Spirit in the Book of ACTS.

Why all this documentation? There is the real world and there is the mythical world. The real world is based upon verifiable truth. The mythical world has no bounds and is based upon fantasy. GOD’S Word documents the facts from prophetic statements to real occurrences.

As we study the scripture for this lesson, we see how well this event was documented. As we study the life of JESUS, we see the truth of HIS life and the facts that confirm HIM as the true and only SON of GOD, in the flesh. GOD’S redemptive plan for salvation is faith in JESUS, which is accepting JESUS as your Savior. HIS Spirit joins your spirit and the miracle of Spiritual birth takes place quicker than thought.     

In last week’s lesson, we learned that JESUS was referred to as, the WORD.” Let’s read John 1:1-3:

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was with God in the beginning. ³ All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created.

Why is JESUS referred to as “The WORD?” Why is “The WORD” from the beginning with GOD? The two are equal, absolute, there will never, ever be another, they are eternal, never change or duplicated. They are and always will be WHO THEY are and we as human can count on it, eternally. GOD is “I AM.” HE has always been and always will be.

[Logos is a Greek word literally translated as "word, speech, or utterance." However, in Greek philosophy, Logos refers to divine reason or the power that puts sense into the world making order instead of chaos. It is the idea of a word uttered by a living voice that embodies a concept or teaches a doctrine. It is how ideas are communicated and brought to life.] (Compelling Truth.Org)

Before sin came into the world, GOD’S redemptive plan had been planned. GOD wanted those HE made to be in right relationship with HIM based upon freedom of choice. HE could have made humans robots but no, HE desired for humans to choose HIM based upon their free will. GOD places a stumbling block before every human to cross over, JESUS, The logos, before he or she enters eternity. The Holy Spirit works within the heart of every person leading him or her to a decision point to either accept or reject JESUS as his or her Savior. What are the facts to prove that JESUS is truly our Savior? Study the scripture and as you do, ask GOD to reveal truth to you. HE will. The question is, “What will you do with the truth??” Satan will do his best to distract and confuse you. When you see distractions raise their heads rebuke them in the name of JESUS. You are seeking truth. Stay focused and diligent.

Why? You are in a battle with Satan. Read Ephesians 6 and put on the full armor of GOD.  

Let’s read 1 Corinthians 1:23:

²³ but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles.^[e]

In Ephesians 1:4, we read - ⁴ For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him.^[c] 

The Apostle Paul wrote Ephesians, so how did he have this deep insight? Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 12:2:

² I know a man in Christ who was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether he was in the body or out of the body, I don’t know; God knows.

It is believed that this man was Paul when he was stoned. No not stoned with drugs but when he died and came back to earth to finish his calling.

I contend that the instant GOD thought of every person who will ever exist, that person was destined to be created. This was before the trinity created the place, we, as humans, would live, earth. The foreknowledge of GOD did not condemn us before we had the opportunity to exercise our freedom of choice to become a Child of GOD through the miracle of Spiritual rebirth. Such love!!! Choose wisely where you will spend eternity – Heaven through faith in JESUS or Hell by rejecting JESUS as your Savior.  

In Genesis 3:8-11 and Genesis 3:15:

⁸ Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze,^[b] and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. ⁹ So the Lord God called out to the man and said to him, “Where are you?”

¹⁰ And he said, “I heard you^[c] in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid.”

Genesis 3:15:

I will put hostility between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and her offspring.^[d]
He (JESUS) will strike your head,
and you (Satan) will strike his heel.

¹¹ Then he asked, “who told you that you were naked? Did you eat from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?”

Sin renders us naked before GOD but faith in JESUS and HIS passion renders us clothed with GOD’S righteousness – 2 Corinthians 5:21:

²¹ He(GOD) made the one who did not know sin (JESUS) to be sin^[e] for us, so that in him we (Those who place their faith in JESUS) might become the righteousness of God.

Let’s explore the birth of GOD as 100% human, yet GOD ----

How would you have had JESUS, the promised Messiah, come to earth?

Doctor Luke wrote about this amazing JESUS, King of Kings and LORD OF LORDS and GOD, HIS FATHER.

Let’s read Luke 2:4-7:

⁴ Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David, ⁵ to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him^[c] and was pregnant. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. ⁷ Then she gave birth to her firstborn son, and she wrapped him tightly in cloth and laid him in a manger,^[d] because there was no guest room available for them.

In our previous lesson, we studied about Mary and Joseph being chosen to be the earth parents of the promised Messiah, JESUS.

Scripture had prophesied specific things about the promised Messiah. We read in Micah 5:2:

Bethlehem Ephrathah,
you are small among the clans of Judah;
one will come from you
to be ruler over Israel for me.
His origin^[a] is from antiquity,
from ancient times.

Both Joseph and Mary were of the House of David. GOD is in the business of logistics. HE had to get Joseph and Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem. GOD used the Roman government. Both had to go to Bethlehem to register for the census.

It was a distance of 90 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Not a luxury ride for pregnant Mary riding on a donkey. Yet, she was called by GOD to carry HIS only SON, JESUS and prophecy had to be fulfilled.

Bethlehem was about 5 miles from Jerusalem where animals would be sacrificed in the temple.

When we are called by GOD to serve HIM, it is not always easy but HE walks with us each step of our journey and places us where HE desires for us to be according to HIS time and events table.

Reflect back over your life and see if you can see the hand of GOD placing you where HE wanted you to be to accomplish the career path, HE chose for you. I know I can.

The King of Kings was born and wrapped in cloth and placed in a manager. A lamb wrapped in cloth was destined to be sacrificed and it needed to be clean and free of any blemish. The lamb to be sacrificed was placed in a manager or feeding trough.

So, who knew all about lambs destined for sacrifice?

Let’s read Luke 2:8-12:

The Shepherds and the Angels

⁸ In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. ⁹ Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.^[e] 10 But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people:^[f] 11 Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.”

On this special night shepherds were “staying” with the sheep over night to protect them from harm by wild animals.

Shepherds were the least likely group of people to witness the birth of the promised Messiah. They were not the pillars of society. They were not allowed to give testimony in courts and unable to observe traditional religious practices. Yet, GOD revealed the arrival of HIS only SON, The promised Messiah, to shepherds and JESUS referred to Himself as the good shepherd.

Just imagine, you are busy tending to your assigned sheep and suddenly an angel of the LORD appears with the Glory of the LORD shone around them and an angel spoke.

“Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people:^[f] 11 Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.”

This was a once in a lifetime event. What would they do with this information? Let’s read on ----

Let’s read Luke 2:16-20:

¹⁶ They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had seen and heard, which were just as they had been told.

The shepherds responded and verified what they had seen and heard. Once verified they shared the Good News.

What did they share with others?

“:a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord.”

They shared in a nutshell – Savior, Messiah, LORD!”

They shared what they had seen and heard. That is exactly what we do once we have seen JESUS as truth and our SAVIOR. HE is the promised MESSIAH WHO takes away the sins of the world.

When GOD, through the revelation of the Holy Spirit, reveals truth, check it out. Truth is always truth.

Have a CHRIST filled Christmas with blessings from our LORD!

JESUS, The Savior Who Came to us!

Blessings!!!