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Message Notes 25/12/2024 - Gareth Nicholson
Messiah in a Manger: You've heard this story... but take a look with fresh eyes!
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. Luke 2
Luke's historical anchors mean - "This can be trusted!" Not once upon a time… a long time ago in a galaxy far far away.
Caeser Augustus (Octavian) - the powerful, political saviour conducts a census, not for record keeping but for tax!
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. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. Luke 2
God uses the most powerful man in the world, to get a pregnant lady to travel 150km on foot, so that the prophecy from Micha 5:2 will be fulfilled.
2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” Micah 5:2 Luke 2
Things might seem chaotic, and out of control, but God is always at work to bring about his purpose.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. (The first preaching of the Gospel) 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2
Shepherds were believed to be
1/ Social outcasts
2/ Unreliable witnesses
3/ But the Bethlehem shepherds were the keepers of the temple flock!
Brian Simmons in the TPT footnotes on Luke 2 mentions that the passover lambs would be wrapped in cloth.
8 As for you, watchtower of the flock*, stronghold of Daughter Zion,
the former dominion will be restored to you; kingship will come to Daughter Jerusalem. ” Micah 4:8
Migal Eder:Tower of the flock, outside Bethlehem
The symbolism of the shepherds seeing Jesus wrapped in cloth in the place of a passover lamb is powerful!
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. Luke 2
God is always at work, and using the most unlikely people to bring about his purpose. The Gospel demands a response! Will you "go" and worship the King?
“Their zeal in glorifying and praising God is an implied reproof of our indolence (avoidance of activity), or rather of our ingratitude. If the cradle of Christ had such an effect upon them, as to make them rise from the stable and the manger to heaven, how much more powerful ought the death and resurrection of Christ to be in raising us to God?” (Calvin)
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