Bible Study Notes for Lord’s Day,
March 7, 2010
Luke 2:1-20
There is Born to You a Savior
Introduction We see the birth of Christ, and the reasons for His
coming.
Two sided of God’s nature, transcendence and immanence.
Transcendence - high and lifted up, far away, detached, perfect,
unchanging, unmoved, exacting, high and holy, unapproachable.
Immanence - God lowers Himself to our level, nearness, identification
with us, understanding, compassion, mercy, interaction, participation.
In the coming of Christ, the Transcendent becomes Immanent.
Luke 2
1 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from
Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This
census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So
all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth,
into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because
he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with
Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that
while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling
cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for
them in the inn.
8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the
fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an
angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone
around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said
to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings
of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to
you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped
in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly
host praising God and saying:
14 “ Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven,
that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem
and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made
known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and
Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen
Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning
this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things
which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these
things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned,
glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard
and seen, as it was told them.
A very familiar story - memorized by many of you for Christmas programs.
We see some insights into the coming of Christ - not just that it
happened, but what it means for the Transcendent to become Immanent.
I. Conditions in the World
1 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from
Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This
census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So
all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth,
into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because
he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with
Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that
while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling
cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for
them in the inn.
People try to make the world a better place, to get a handle on
things, to get things lined out and under control. Yet we see human
weakness and the need for compassion.
A. Government Control v1-4
1 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from
Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This
census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So
all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth,
into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because
he was of the house and lineage of David
These are leaders trying to make the world a better place, to get
a handle on things, to get things lined out and under control. Yet
we see human weakness and the need for compassion:
B. Unusual Situations - exceptions to the rule v5
5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.
This is a problem for society - you’re not supposed to get
pregnant when you’re engaged. In a society under control, you
wait until you’re married, so the child can be provided for.
We try to keep things under control, but with people, there are
always exceptions to the rules.
C. Usual Situations v6-7a
6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed
for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son
This happens every day, by the book, the method used for thousands
of years, this is accepted and good.
D. Societal Problems v7
7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling
cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for
them in the inn.
What was wrong here? They had to try to stay in a motel? In Joseph’s
ancestral hometown? Did he have no relatives there they could have
stayed with? What was the problem. Oh - Mary was 9 month pregnant
and they weren’t married yet. They were being ostracized by
the family.
It’s not just the government that puts pressure on people to
conform to certain standards - families do too, and friends, through
peer pressure.
So, they were trying to have an ideal orderly world - a census,
making outcasts of those who don’t conform to the standards.
But what did it cause? Displacement, poverty, rejection/alienation.
Notice the lack of compassion. The government - “We don’t
care if you’re 9 months pregnant and it’s hard for you
to travel. Get down there and get yourself in line to be registered.”
The family - “We don’t care if you’re exhausted and
about to have a baby. You can’t stay here. What would the neighbors
think?” Notice the lack of compassion.
So we see attempts at making the world a better place, lining things
out. But we also see human exceptions to the rule, things that cause
problems and call for compassion.
When Amy was little, one of the first words I heard her say was
“Uh oh.” I said, “Welcome to the human race.”
II. The Expectant People of God v8-20
People are aware that there is certain way they would like to live,
to have zero mistakes, but they are also aware of their own failings
and those of the people around them, and also the pressure that
is brought to bear on those who do not perform.
So, people look to God for an answer.
A. The Ordinary
8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the
fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.
B. The Extraordinary
9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory
of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.
C. The Collision of Perfection and Imperfection
What happens when the transcendent becomes immanent? What happens
when all the power, perfection and glory of Heaven bursts upon unsuspecting
humans in an ordinary human situation? Great fear.
Same thing can happen when the government cracks down, or your boss
points out your failures compared to his expectations, or your family
is disappointed in you. There is a collision of perfection and imperfection,
and this results in fear.
However, in this situation, the ordinary shepherds, on their ordinary
hillside with their ordinary sheep, suddenly seeing the glories
and perfections of Heaven, are told not to be fearful, but joyful.
This must be something new, a new approach to getting a handle on
life.
D. Great Joy in the Messiah - a new change for the better
10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold,
I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.
11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior,
who is Christ the Lord.
This must be something different, something better than “Straighten
up, do better, try harder, and do it now.”
E. Seeking the Genuine - in case it seems too good to be true
12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped
in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
F. Rejoicing and Agreement with Heaven
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly
host praising God and saying:
14 “ Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
What a relief - God is perfect, but still has good will toward us,
and wants to be at peace with us, even in our shortcomings and imperfections.
G. Desire to Come and Worship
15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven,
that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem
and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made
known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and
Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.
H. Desire to Spread the Good News
17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying
which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who
heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.
20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for
all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
This is the response of the people of God when they see Christ come
into the world to change it for the better. Yea and Amen.
III. The Messiah
Makes the world a better place, not through outward pressure and
control of people, but through our inner transformation.
A. Transcendence becomes Immanence
Transcendence - high and lifted up, far away, detached, perfect,
unchanging, unmoved, exacting, high and holy, unapproachable.
Immanence - God lowers Himself to our level, nearness, identification
with us, understanding, compassion, mercy, interaction, participation.
In the coming of Christ, the Transcendent becomes Immanent.
B. God becomes Human
7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling
cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for
them in the inn.
1. A human person
2. Not wealthy
3. Hardship
4. Prejudice
Jesus became one of us, to experience all of humanity so that He
could have mercy and compassion on us.
C. The Ministry of the Messiah
1. All people, not just the perfect ones
10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold,
I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.
2. Born to you
11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior,
who is Christ the Lord.
3. Lord and Savior
11b a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Imagine a Lord and master who is also a rescuer, deliverer, savior.
Reagan, “The most frightening words, ‘I’m from the
government and I’m here to help.’” Jesus is in charge,
and he really is here to help. Imagine a compassionate King. Lord
and Savior.
4. The highest comes to the lowest
14 “ Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
5. Goodwill - accepts us just as we are, flaws and all.
14 “ Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
6. Peace
14 “ Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
Peace with Him, within ourselves, with others - an inner blessing,
not outward force
Pastor Steve Boggan
Living Waters Christian Fellowship
Heritage Ranch by Lake Nacimiento, CA
Website - livingwaters.cc
