Luke
Chapter
2
Luke
2:1-7
1 And
it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar
Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every
one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of
Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem;
(because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with
child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were
accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in
swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them
in the inn.
Christ Jesus was conceived through the Holy Spirit, and born
during the reign of Emperor Augustus. It
was also at a time when a census to taken throughout the Roman Empire. Luke
tells of that to indicate the exact period of His birth! When this census took
place, Cyrenius was the Roman governor of Syria! That
fact sets the time of the birth of our lord! He was the Governor of Syria
twice. The first time was between 6-4 B.C., and then again from 6-9 A.D. Since
no respectable scholar places Christ’s birth as late as 6 A.D., Christ must
have been born during the first period probably around 4 B.C.
All people living within the Roman Empire went to be counted
in the census. Each man took his family to the family hometown. Joseph, being the head of the
household traveled from Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem in Judea. That small town had been the birthplace of
King David. Joseph went there because he was a descendant of David. Mary also
went to register with him, because she was betrothed to him. During that
time-frame, betrothal was equivalent to marriage that had not been consummated.
At that time, Mary was pregnant with Jesus. While in
Bethlehem, the time came for her to give birth!
As we all know, she gave birth to Christ Jesus, and wrapped
him in “swaddling clothes,” and laid him in a manger, because there was no room
for them to stay in the local inn. The “sign” was not that a child was born.
The sign was two-fold. First, a virgin shall conceive (Isaiah 7:14)! Secondly,
Christ was laid in a manger, a feeding trough, referring to His indwelling us
as spiritual sustenance (John 6:51) such as in the communion.
Luke
2:8-20
8 And there were in the same country
shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the
glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I
bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in
the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the
Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, 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, good will
toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from
them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto
Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made
known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and
the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad
the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things
which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them
in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God
for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
On the night of Jesus’ birth, there were shepherds in the
area spending the night in the fields guarding for their flocks from animals
that may harm the sheep. In a like manner, Christ is now our Shepherd, guarding
us from Satan! An angel of the Lord appeared to shepherds, and the glory of the
Lord enveloped them. When that happened, they were afraid!
However, the angel told them, "Fear not! I am here to
tell you good news, which will bring great joy to all (Gr. pas-πᾶς) people.” Then, the angel continued, “Today in the city of
David, the Messiah, Christ the Lord, was born! And, this is how you will know.
You will find a baby ‘swaddling clothes’ lying in a manger.” That was the
second and most public sign of the birth of the Messiah!
Suddenly a multitude of angels appeared, singing praises to
God, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
When the angels went away from them back into heaven! The
shepherds spoke among themselves saying. “Let's go into Bethlehem and see this
thing, which the Lord has told us.”
So they rushed off and found Mary and Joseph, and saw the baby
lying in the manger! When the shepherds saw Him, they told Joseph and Mary and
those in the stable about their encounter with the angels and what they said
concerning the Christ child.
All who heard it were astonished by what the shepherds said!
However, Mary mulled over what was said.
The shepherds left singing praises to God, because of all
they had heard and seen!
Luke
2:21-24
21 And when eight days were
accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS,
which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
22 And when the days of her purification according to the law
of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him
to the Lord;
23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said
in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
Eight days after the birth of a male Jewish child is the
time of circumcision. And, so it was
with Christ Jesus! It was at that time that He was officially named “Jesus.”
That was the name given to Him prior to conception!
The name, Jesus, is commonly taught among Jews as be
“Joshua,” however I prefer Yahshua, the transliteration of the Hebrew word for
salvation (Heb yeshűʿâ-יְשׁוּעָה). “Yah” is the shortened version of Yahweh!
The circumcision was followed by the purification ceremony
for Mary. It was done according to
Moses’ Law!
Mary and Joseph took Jesus to Jerusalem to present him to
the Lord! That too was according to Moses’ Law.
Ex 13:2 Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both
of man and of beast: it is mine.
Joseph and Mary also offered a sacrifice. They offered a pair of doves or two young
pigeons, as a mandatory sacrifice according to Moses’ Law.
Luke
2:25-39
25 And, behold, there was a man in
Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and
devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he
should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the
parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and
said,
29 Lord, now lettest thou thy
servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy
people Israel.
33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled
at those things which were spoken of him.
34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother,
Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in
Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;
35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,)
that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser:
she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her
virginity;
37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four
years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto
the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked
for redemption in Jerusalem.
39 And when they had performed all things according to the
law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
At the time of Jesus’ presentation, a man named Simeon was
living in Jerusalem. He was a good, God-fearing man and was waiting for “the
consolation of Israel.” The Holy Spirit was with him.
The Holy Spirit had assured him that he would not die before
he had seen the Messiah. The Holy Spirit led Simeon into the Temple at the time
of Christ Jesus’ presentation!
Simeon held baby Jesus in his arms, and gave thanks to God
saying, “Lord, now you have kept your promise, and your servant may go in
peace. I have seen Your Salvation, which you have prepared for all people! He
is a Light to Gentiles and shall bring glory to Israel.”
Joseph and Mary were amazed at what Simeon said about Jesus.
Simeon blessed them and told Mary, "This child is chosen by God for both
the fall and resurrection of Israel. He will be a sign from God which most
Israelis shall reject, and their rejection shall reveal their innermost
thoughts. Sorrow, like a sharp sword,
shall break their hearts.”
Also in the Temple that day was an old prophetess named
Anna! She was the daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of
Asher. Anna had been married for just seven years. She was now 84 years old. Anna never left the
Temple! She fasted and prayed while worshipping God.
While Simeon was speaking, Anna came to them giving thanks
to God, and she also prophesied concerning Christ Jesus for all those there
waiting for Jerusalem to be freed from Roman oppression. When the presentation was completed, Joseph
and Mary Joseph returned to Nazareth!
Luke
2:40-52
40 And the child grew, and waxed
strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast
of the passover.
42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to
Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned,
the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not
of it.
44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went
a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and
acquaintance.
45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to
Jerusalem, seeking him.
46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him
in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and
asking them questions.
47 And all that heard him were astonished at his
understanding and answers.
48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother
said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold,
thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye
sought me? wist ye not that
I must be about my Father's business?
50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was
subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
As Jesus grew physically, He became Spiritually strong filled with wisdom! He was blessed by the Father!
Passover was a time for all male Jews to
go to the Temple, and so Joseph took Jesus, each Passover, to the Temple!
When
Jesus was 12, as with other years, He was taken to the Temple! Today, many Bar Miztvah (coming of age) celebrations are held at the
Wailing Wall, which is all that is left of the Second Temple. The
“presentation” was Jesus’ Bar Miztvah!
Following
Passover, Joseph and Mary started back to Nazareth! However, Jesus remained in
Jerusalem!
Joseph
and Mary thought that Jesus was with the group headed back. They traveled an entire day before realizing
that He was not with them. Finally, on the third day, they found Him sitting
among the Temple’s teachers discussing the Scripture with them! That Jesus was
“found” on the third day signifies His resurrection!
All
those who heard what He said were astonished. Even Joseph and Mary were
astonished when they saw and heard Him speak!
Mary
asked Jesus, “Why have you done this? Your father and I have been very worried
as we tried to find you.”
Jesus
responded, “Why did you look for me? Didn't you know that I was to be doing My
Father’s business?”
The
family “business” was not buying and selling as many now teach! It was the
dispensation of Life through the Word!
However,
they did not understand Him! Like most Jews, their focus was on daily social
life and not on true Life! But, Jesus, being obedient to them returned to
Nazareth with his parents!
Mary
thoughtfully kept all these things in her heart, as Jesus grew strong in both
body and wisdom, while gaining favor with God and men.