Discovering God’s Precious Promises
A Promise To the Shepherds
Luke 2:1-20
12-20-2020
As we celebrate this season together we are drawn to this text.
There are several points that I am sure you are familiar with that I would like to point out none the less.
We complete this series with the announcement and birth of our Saviour.
Notice:
I. The Order Vs. 1
Decree = is the word dogma; “an official system of principles or tenets concerning faith, morals, behavior, etc.,”
It is the word we get dogmatic = a stand without variance relating to a moral or legal position.
II. The Timing Vs. 2
Luke states vs. 2 the time of the decree; because there was an appeal to the law and it went through the appeal process with no known change of the law.
The significance of this is that because of the delay of the decree, Mary is now very pregnant and because she was now part of Joseph’s household, must travel to be counted and taxed as per the orders.
If there had not been a delay Jesus would have been born in Nazareth and not Bethlehem.
God knows the timing in all of our lives and we should not be shaken or disturbed when something does not work out like we wanted and when we wanted it.
III. The Birth Vs. 6-7
swaddling clothes, = cloth wrapping to prevent movement. Literally a birthing process to keep the child’s limbs close to the body for warmth. Still do today.
No room = There is no evidence of what I am about to say but Jewish tradition enters into my thought.
When a Jew came to a town they sought out other Jews and spoke of family linage.
Family took care of family.
Joseph was returning to the place of his family.
It looks to me like a scandal has followed Mary and Joseph.
A marriage where Joseph would not consummate the wedding bed?
A direction from a messenger of God telling Joseph that the child was of the Holy Ghost?
Word would no doubt have spread in the small community and now Joseph has defied traditions and instead of stoning Mary is now caring for her and the child that she carries that is not his.
I propose that the family has shunned Joseph and he is left to his own resources to find a room.
None found they retire to a cave where the animals are stored and there Mary gives birth.
IV. The Announcement Vs. 8-12
Shepherds are the unclean of the nation of Israel.
They are often uneducated, dirty because of the hard work in the fields, and most of all untouched by society.
V. The Promises Vs. 10 & 12
I love the word “shall” especially when it involves Jesus.
It is a promise to whom it is spoken to.
Vs. 10 …I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
Vs. 11 …Ye shall find
VI. The Obedience Vs. 16
They wasted no time to go see.
What a shame that we often wait and wait and wait just to discover that we wasted our time waiting when we could have been going.
VII. The Announcement Vs. 17
“ ….they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.”
What was your reaction in your own life when you saw the Savior for the first time?
Was it joyful?
Were you excited and willing to share toward others?
VIII. The Praise Vs. 20
I can only imagine how this changed the life of those shepherds.
Has Jesus made a difference in your life?
“If there has been no change, then there was no change.”
When Jesus comes to save; there is a change in the lives of those He has touched.
Conclusion:
Christmas in not about gifts we exchange.
It is about the GIFT we were given.
His name is Jesus
