Peace Series

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The word “peace” is one of the words that characterizes the Christmas season.

Our lives are constantly under assault in a world that seems to be falling apart. Everyone has a desperate need for peace. We need peace in international politics. There is an assault on personal peace. We need peace in interpersonal relationships.

In the midst of the conflict of this world comes the good news of God’s peace through Jesus.

PEACE

Luke 2:1-20

We are going to look at the birth of Jesus and the announcement of the angel to the shepherds. We are going to see the peace that God gives to the world through Jesus Christ.

Let’s open our Bibles to the Gospel according to Luke 2. Luke presents to us the details concerning Jesus’ birth. Earlier we read this passage.

Observations from this passage:

Time in history.

The birth of Jesus took place in the context of world history.

Herod the Great, 1:5; Caesar Augustus, 2:1; Quirinius was governor of Syria, 2:2.

The birth of Jesus is not a myth but is in the historical timeline.

Piety of Joseph & Mary.

Joseph & Mary are portrayed as law-abiding citizens. They observed the Jewish law and even observed Roman laws to come for the census.

Jesus is born into a poor family.

Joseph & Mary were poor. We know they were poor because instead lamb they offered two young pigeons, a lessor sacrifice allowed for poor couples, Lk. 2:24; Lev. 12:6-8.

Birth announcement was given to lowly shepherds.

According to the culture in Jesus’ time, no position in the world was as despised as that of the shepherd. Shepherds were considered social outcasts. They were included among thieves, so no one would purchase anything from a shepherd.

The shepherds were poorly paid. The birth announcement was given to shepherds.

God announced the coming of the saviour to the lowly shepherds:

Rather than the priests serving in the temple.

Rather than the royals in Jesus’ time.

The good news was first announced to the outcasts.

This was God’s ways when we were called:

1 Corinthians 1:26-31

26Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29so that no one may boast before him. 30It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”

According to Luke Jesus has come:

For the outcasts as well as for the elite.

For the marginalized as well as for the noble.

For men as well as for women.

For the adults as well as the children.

The Shepherds saw God’s glory.

Luke 2:8-9

8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

They were encompassed with the glory of God.

Remember, Moses could not stand in the presence of God’s glory, Ex. 40:35.

The priests could not perform their duties when the glory of God filled the temple, 2 Ch. 7.

Even the high priest enters the holy place in the glory of God once a year.

We are going to behold God’s glory, when Jesus returns in his second coming. When the sky reveals the Son of God at the return of Christ. He is coming back to bring judgement on the wicked, give justice to the oppressed and afflicted. In his first coming he came to bear the judgement.

Angel’s message to the shepherds:

Luke 2:10-14

10But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13Suddenly 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.”

Do not be afraid.

The birth of Jesus is Good News for all the people.