The Disruptive Baby Series

The Disruptive Baby

December 5, 2021

Video of Linus reading Luke 2:1-14

Luke 2:15-20 NIV

“When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”

In Luke, there are three angelic encounters:

1. Gabriel with Zechariah

2. Gabriel with Mary

3. Angels and the shepherds

In Matthew, Joseph had three angelic encounters:

1. Mary’s baby is from the Holy Spirit.

2. Take Mary and Jesus to Egypt.

3. Take Mary and Jesus back to Israel.

The story of the Incarnation as told in Matthew and Luke features the greatest concentration of angelic visits in Scripture. Heaven was literally invading the earth!

Amid a baby being born to a young couple and angels singing to shepherds in a field, there was a great battle happening in the unseen realm. (Revelation 12)

Caesar Augustus was the ruler of the Roman Empire when Jesus was born.

He was the adopted son of Julius Caesar and after Julius Caesar was murdered, Augustus defeated all his challengers and led Rome from a republic to an empire with him as the sole leader.

Augustus’ birth was called Gospel which means “Good News. Caesar and his followers considered him a god and called him “the son of god.”

While this was happening far away in Rome, a baby was born in a remote outpost of the empire named Jesus who would challenge the worldly kingdoms with the kingdom of heaven.

This story of a baby arriving at an evil empire that was oppressing God’s people was certainly not new.

Moses was adopted into Pharaoh’s home and eventually brought the people of Israel out of bondage.

Luke 2:25-35 NIV

“Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29 "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all people, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." 33 The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too."

V.34 - “Falling and rising of many …”

Those who fall in worship will rise victorious.

Those who rise in their own strength will fall.

Christ has invaded our world and his gift to us is peace.