Tell The World About The Baby In The Manger

TELL THE WORLD THE GOOD NEWS

Luke 2

Online Sermon: http://www.mckeesfamily.com/?page_id=3567

What will you do this Christmas with what you have heard and experienced at the manger? Remember all the times that Jesus was there for you this year. All those times when you sinned and felt guilty and dirty inside, was it not the babe in the manger who forgave and cleansed you from all unrighteousness? And how many times this year had Jesus picked you up from the slimy pit and placed you back on the rock of your salvation? All those times that you were in the pit of sorrow and pain was it not Jesus who healed your broken heart and restored peace to your life? Did Jesus ever leave or forsake you or did He ever even once say “go away I don’t have time for you?” NEVER. Then why would those who were purchased at a price spend countless hours buying food, gifts and visiting family and friends tell the babe in the manger “I have no time left to tell this world about you?

Christmas is quickly approaching and each of us will be held accountable for what we do with the Gospel message. The Bible commands us to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19) and to “always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (1 Peter 3:15). Since most Christians know of these commands then why do so many of them respond with the lukewarm indifference of Laodicea (Revelation 3:16)? Is what the world is saying true that we as Christ’s ambassador’s (2 Corinthians 5:20) and royal priests (1 Peter 2:9) have become like the church of Sardis who had a reputation as living witnesses but are spiritually dead inside (Revelation 3:1)? If only this Christmas, we might once again feel the unspeakable joy of our salvation (1 Peter 1:8-9) and the glorious riches of our inheritance (Ephesians 1:18)! In today’s sermon I am going to invite you to come alive and imitate the response of those who encountered the babe lying in the manger. May the pondering heart of Mary compel us to be like the shepherds and have such intense admiration and praise for our King that we are compelled to go and tell everyone that they too can open the best gift ever given to humanity, a babe offering a new heart!

The Babe is Born

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.

The story begins by telling us that Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census was to be taken in the entire Roman world. Because Caesar was responsible for ending the bitter Roman civil wars he wanted to be known as the savior who brought and was to proclaim peace and prosperity to the Roman empire. Even though Scripture does not state why Caesar ordered the census this was most likely done for military and taxation purposes. Since the Jews were exempt from Roman military service, the only reason for them to be counted was to make sure they were paying their full amount of tax. While the registration did not require Joseph to travel to his ancestral home, he did so either to comply with Jewish practice or may have owned land in Bethlehem and therefore was required by Roman law to do so. Either way Caesar’s census played an important role in God’s redemptive plan for Jesus was to be born at David’s birthplace (1 Samuel 17:12, 20:6) to fulfill the prophecy that directly connects Bethlehem and the future Davidic king (cf. Matthew 2:5–6).

5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

Joseph went to Bethlehem to register along with Mary who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. Luke tells us that Mary was engaged or betrothed to Joseph at this time for the marriage was yet to be consummated. While Mary did not have to go on this journey she did so due to the intense criticism she was getting at home and/or due to Joseph’s desire to be present when the babe was born. This journey from their hometown Nazareth to Bethlehem would have been a painful journey not only due to the tax reminding them of their conquered position before Rome but also due to Mary being pregnant and travelling about 90 miles over a three-day journey! To make matter worse, when they arrived there was no guest room available for them. The birth takes place in humble circumstances, for the child is born in either a stable or a cave and Jesus only had a feed trough for a bed! The contrast between the stable being the Messiah’s first throne room and the greatness of Christ could not be greater!