October 27, 2021
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in Luke? Here’s today’s reading:
Luke 2 (NIV)
The Birth of Jesus
1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David..........Continue Reading
I love how many time angels need to tell people not to be afraid. The shock of seeing and hearing from an angel must have been so overwhelming and can’t help make you realize why God used them to convey messages because if it was this overwhelming seeing an angel just imagine seeing God Himself!
Simeon immediately knew who he was looking at in Jesus as did so many others like the shepherds and Anna. They knew this was no ordinary child.
When I read that Jesus went missing it strikes me how scared Mary and Joseph must have been. Parents missing their child is a terrifying thing. But realizing too this was no ordinary child and to hear His response “I was in my father’s house”. Instead of by the side of Joseph learning carpentry He was in the temple learning God’s ways and His response to them implied that He knew they realized He was so much more than just their son.
Praise be to God for blessing us with His holy son, Jesus, our saviour.
I love that God chose to announce the arrival of Messiah to shepherds in the field. Imagine the “great company of heavenly host” coming to join the angel in praising God. Wow.
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
It is interesting that Luke does not mention the threat from Herod and the flight to and from Egypt. Not particularly relevant to gentiles?
It is interesting to contrast what Luke includes in the birth story to what Matthew includes. Matthew’s account gives the Magi’s storyline which makes Jesus’ birth story sound far more dangerous and tumultous. God warns the Magi not to give away Jesus’ location to Herod, but Herod all the same slaughters the new borns in Bethelem. Luckily Jesus’ family escapes to Egypt and waits out until the death of Herod.
Luke’s account seems far more focused on the positive circumstances of Jesus’ birth viewing it through the lens of the shepherds who get this amazing display of worship from heavenly hosts of angels. As far as I could find this is the only time in the New Testament where people witness an army of angels worshipping God. These lucky shepherds were witness to the greatest concert ever. There is so much excitement and hope! Puts me in the Christmas spirit! (This may also be because Linus quotes this passage in the Peanuts Christmas special).
Before the Church offically canonized the New Testament and long after all the now included books had been written, there were many false “gospels” which tried to give insight into Jesus’ youth. I can imagine the flash in the pan interest in these books because of the subject matter. Jesus’ youth is only really explored by scripture in this one chapter of Luke. Jesus increasing in wisdom and strength brings up a lot of interesting conversations about His incarnational state. In what ways is Jesus limited while in the Incarnational state? Some have proposed that Jesus has access to all the power and knowledge of His deitific state, but simply chooses not to use it. When Jesus uses Godly powers or knowledge He is being directed to by God the Father.
Jesus’ relationship with His parents in this chapter is also very interesting. As pastor has said in previous sermons on the Trinity, submission does not make someone lesser or inequal to the person in the dominant role. Jesus’ choice to submit to His parents here is righteous and shows an understanding of the 6th commandment: “Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be prolonged on the land which the Lord your God gives you.”
God continues to show that He is on the move and accomplishing something special. He does something out of Joseph and Mary’s control to get them to Bethlehem so Jesus could be born there. He sends a company of angels to announce His birth to a bunch of shepherds. How different the glory of this announcement compared to the simplicity of what was announced. How different the glory of the One being born compared to the simplicity and humility of the surrounding of His birth. I love Luke’s pointing out that Mary treasured all these things in her heart, as any mother would but her maybe more. It also speaks to Mary being someone who Luke spoke to in his investigation.
It is also interesting the details Luke gives about Jesus’ parents following the dictates of the law, but it is in this context that God again shows that He is doing something unique. He works in and through Simeon and Anna. What a blessing to these old faithful saints who made their lives more about the worship of God than their own gratification. And finally in this chapter, God’s Son wows the teachers of the law with His wisdom. Just imagine the buzz that was going on about this young boy. And how shocking it was for Joseph and Mary to hear Jesus say that naturally He would be in His Father’s house. But not really shocking at all. It’s a great indication that Jesus certainly knew who He was….
There is so much to comment on in Luke 2.
God revealing the birth of His son to shepherds with a host of angels must have been earth shattering. I would like to see that! Some day we will be joining them in worship.
I have always liked the story of Simeon. His story is often overlooked. I remember as a new believer reading the Bible thinking, “I have never heard this story before!” To have God tell you in advance that you wouldn’t die until He revealed His Messiah and then to see Jesus and know. Of course, much of God’s word it God telling the Jews, and the world, what He will do….we just haven’t been paying attention, or don’t believe Him when it happens.
Love how God uses all sorts of different people and situations to present himself to us. Uses Caeser Augustus in a huge way with the census. What a pawn he was and had no idea. Great lesson for all of us. As the Son of God. Along with his mother and father. Are treated as outcast at the beginning of Jesus life. You would think he would be born in a palace and Joseph snd Mary carried in a chariot. But everything that had happened has had a huge impact on millions of people throughout history Verse 14. Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rest. I’ll take that over comfort and convenience. Let the peace of Christ RULE in your heart!! Love it!!