Luke 2 - The Birth Of The Messiah
Luke 2 - The Birth Of The Messiah
v1-7 Birth of Jesus
In those days, a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken for the whole empire. This is the first census while Quirinius was governor of Syria. Joseph was staying at Nazareth, and went back with Mary to Bethlehem for he belongs to the house of David. Mary was pledged to marry him and she was expecting a child. (v1-5)
Mary and Joseph likely traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem on foot. The journey was approximately 128 kilometers. They would have navigated through the Judean mountains, which made the trip more challenging. Some speculate that they might have used a donkey, but even with a donkey, the journey would have taken several days.
While they were there, Mary gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling cloths and placed him in a manger. because there was no guest room in the inn. (v6-7)
In Matthew 1, it gives more detail about Joseph and Mary's journey. At first Joseph thought that Mary had an affair, and to avoid her being disgraced, he plan to break the engagement quietly. However, an angel appeared to him and told him not to be afraid to take her as his wife. And he explained that the child was conceived by the Holy Spirit. He told Joseph to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. He took Mary as his wife, but have no sexual relationship with her until her son is born.
Observation:
In those days, the Jewish girls were often betrothed as early as 12 years old. Some scholars said that she gave birth around 15 or 16 years old. Mary was still alive when Jesus was crucified. However we have less data about Joseph. They said he can range from 18 to 54 years old when Jesus was born. In the cultural norm, Joseph would have died of natural causes between the age of 48-54. And since Joseph had already passed away during Jesus ministry (no mention of Joseph when the family visited him in Luke 8:19). This means that Joseph was around 18 years old when Jesus was born.
Traditionally, the first newborn lamb destined to be sacrifice, was wrapped in swaddling cloth to protect it from blemish (as required by the Law). Jesus, was also wrapped in swaddling cloth, and was ultimately sacrificed for our salvation as the lamb of God.
The birth of Jesus fulfills a prophecy from Isaiah 7:14: “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.” Immanuel means "God with us."
Application
It is amazing that such young couple are given the responsibility to travel 128 kilometers on foot that takes several days and exposed to the cold wind and rain, while Mary was pregnant! It is so different from us today, where we can enjoy a car ride and takes us 1.5 hours of journey! Are we willing to travel to other nations on a comfortable plane, to tell people about Jesus?
Even at the night of his birth, the angels confirmed that He is the messiah and who met prophecies given over 700 years ago. Do we have any reasons to doubt?
v8-21 Shepherds and the Angels
In the same region, there were shepherds watching their flock at night. An angel suddenly appeared to them and shone the glory of the Lord on them. The angel told them not to fear, for he is bringing a good news of great joy, as this day is born a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. The angel told them to look for the child, who will be wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in the manger.
Suddenly, a multitude of angels praised God and said: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (v8-14)
The shepherds went to find Mary and Joseph, and saw the baby in the manger. They told everyone there what they heard from the angel. Mary kept all these remarkable things in her heart, pondering their significance and cherishing the divine purpose unfolding before her. At the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given by the angel. (15-21)
Observation
Jesus was brought to Jerusalem for their purification and to offer a sacrifice. The purification is for Mary, according to Leviticus 12. According to Leviticus, Mary was considered "unclean" for 40 days, for bearing a male child. (For a female child, the mother is unclean for 2 weeks.) This period is the purification period, referring to the gradual process of postpartum discharge. After the 40 days, the mother has to go to the priest with a sacrifice. As she cannot afford a lamb, she was allowed to sacrifice a pair of pigeons instead.
Simeon, a righteous and devout man, was waiting for the consolation of Israel. Consolation of Israel refers to the promised Messiah. The Holy Spirit had told him that he will not see death before he had seen Christ. The Spirit led him to the temple when Jesus was there, and he held Jesus in his arms and blessed God. He said "for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” (v22-32)
Simeon has understood that the Messiah will also save the gentiles, which was something unthinkable by the Jews at that time. Even Peter needed to be instructed in Acts not to think of gentiles are unclean. (Acts 10:28)
Simeon then told Mary: “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” (v33-35)
Jesus would be a divisive figure, and the "fall and rising of many" refers to those who will reject Him and those who will receive Him. Even though He met all the signs of a Messiah, he will be opposed. "A sword will pierce" the soul of Mary, that her heart will be broken when she sees Jesus crucifixion. The "thoughts of many hearts" means that people who hears from Jesus or hears about him will reveal whether they they will believe or will reject Him. No one can hide the real intention of their will and heart from Jesus, even today.
There was also a prophetess, Anna, who was 84 years old. She was a widow after her husband died 7 years after marriage. She was always in the temple, praying night and day. She also saw Jesus, and gave thanks to God, and spoke of Jesus to all who were waiting for redemption of Jerusalem.
They returned to Nazareth, and Jesus grew and became strong, and filled with wisdom, and the favor of God was upon Him. (v36-40)
v41-52 The Boy Jesus at the Temple
Jesus' parents went to Jerusalem every year for the Feast of Passover. When Jesus was 12 years old, He stayed behind without his parents knowing it on their way home. They thought He was in the travelling group. After a day, they looked for him and couldn't find him. So they went back to Jerusalem.
They found him three days later, sitting among the teachers, listening and asking them questions. All those who heard him were amazed at his understanding and answers. (v41-47)
The parents scolded Jesus, asking why he treated them so, making them search for him in distress. Jesus said: "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" Jesus is telling them that they need not have searched, if they know he will be at the temple. (v48-49)
The parents did not understand what He meant. The reason was because, no Jews will call God their father. Extrabiblical Jewish writings used appropriate titles to address God. These titles were respectful and emphasized God’s sovereignty, holiness, and transcendence. However, the term “Father” was not among them. Jesus, even as a boy, knew His special relationship with God, that He is indeed the only Son of God.
He went home to Nazareth with them and was submissive to them. Mary treasured all these things in her heart. Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man. Despite Him know who He really is, he submitted to human parents and to his neighbors, religious leaders and government. His time has not come to reveal Himself.
Observation
In the Johor Church I attended, there was a comment from the female preacher that Jesus didn't have to become a human, as he already know how we feel and experience, since He was God. He could just have come down and go to the cross and avoid the suffering. My thought was, though He knows everything about us in His mind, he has never experience life as a man. I think there is a difference to Him.
A human king of a nation can understand the suffering of his citizens who are poor, but he himself has never experience poverty. There were stories of kings or princes who disguised themselves as a normal citizen and walk among others, in order to experience it.
Jesus not only loved us enough to die for us, but he wants to experience being a human. He was born like anyone else, grew up like everyone else, work like everyone else, have friends and enemies like everyone else. I'm not sure if he had tooth ache, or had a cold, or a bruise, or had accidentally knock his finger with a hammer. I believe he had.
Philippians 2:6-8 said: “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross.”
This human experience, I believe, give Him something more than if he never became a man - pain, weakness, getting scolded, insulted, bullied, tempted, and results in a more compassionate and merciful heart, if this is even possible for a God. It allows us to know that he can relate to us more, than if he didn't come as a human. We know that whatever we have went through, he has experience it or seen it with his mortal eyes. And then, He suffered and died for us. What a wonderful savior we have!
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