Born To Die Part 3 Series

JUST JESUS: CHAPTER BY CHAPTER THRU LUKE

Born to Die Part 3 of 3

LUKE 24:13-35

#borntodie

CHRISTMAS SERIES INTRODUCTION

As Christians, there are some distinct truths that we believe in and because of those beliefs there are philosophies or ways of thinking about life and living we DO NOT believe in. Let me give you several examples.

* Christians do not believe in karma: We do not believe that there is an impersonal force creating balance between good and evil in this life and with our previous lives.

* Christians do not believe in destiny: We do not believe that life is a series of disconnected or even connected coincidences that create a person’s direction in life or their fortune.

* Christians do not believe in fate: We do not believe in a predetermined set of actions or course that creates an unchangeable future that happens no matter what.

Well, Christians do not believe in karma or destiny or fate, what do we believe in when it comes to life and living? We believe in the will of the Eternal Holy God Almighty the Undisputed Righteous Maker of Heaven and Earth Who is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. Christians believe in God’s eternal will. It is God’s eternal will that sets forth what will happen on the eternal stage and within our lives for certain because His will is done on Earth as it is in Heaven. Some things are immovable points of existence because it is the will of God. Christians also believe in God’s permissive will. It is God’s permissive will that allows free-will and choice and chance to exist, but never outside of His sight or prevue to intervene because nothing is ever out of God’s control. Some things are up to us and happen out of our control because God allows it in His permissive will.

Today is Christmas Eve! We are going to finish out our time in the Gospel of Luke chapter by chapter (as we have been doing for 23 weeks!). We have one chapter left in Luke and Christmas is tomorrow! This is not happenstance, but by design. Today we dig into Jesus and the undisputed fact that it was God’s will that Jesus was born to die. Jesus was born to die.

A CHRISTMAS SHEPHERD STORY (p)

Now that same day two shepherds were going south to the city of Tekoa, about six miles from Bethlehem, to sell their sheep and barter wool. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened the night before. They talked of angels. They talked of inns and barns. They talked of the little Child who was born. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, a traveler came up in a chariot and rode along with them. This was not unusual, this was a busy road and there was safety in numbers. In addition, the sheep made it impossible for the traveler to pass by.

He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?" They stood still, their faces beaming. One of the shepherds, named Alan, asked him, "Are you only a visitor to Bethlehem and the surrounding area and do not know about the things that happened last night?"

"What things?" the traveler asked.

"About the King that was born in Bethlehem," they replied. "He was announced by a whole host of angels. They lit the night sky in announcing His birth. We went and saw the place where He lay. He was there, in a stable next to the inn. He was there, in a feeding trough. He was there cared for by His mother Mary and Joseph.”

The traveler said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of mind you must be for me to believe that a king was born in a stable with no attendants and no fanfare!” And he began by explaining to these poor shepherds all about the expectations of royalty for he was royalty. “In fact,” he concluded, “I stayed at that very inn last night and my horses were in the very stable next to the inn. I saw nothing of importance this morning.”

“We know it is strange to tell you that a King was born in a barn, but it is true!” the shepherds exclaimed all the more. We were there last night and the baby and family were staying in the stable. We have seen it and testify to it!”

As they approached the city to which they were going, the rich traveler on the chariot acted as if he were going farther, but they urged him strongly, "Go back and see the child! Go and see the king who was born!” The traveler was unsure if he should believe these shepherds, but they urged him all the more as they traveled along.