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Luke 2:1-14 Key Verse: 2:7 A Baby in a Manger "and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." Today we're going back to the time of the birth of Jesus. The baby Jesus was laid in a manger. A manger is an animal's feedbox. No doctor would advise us to put a newborn baby into such a place of course for health issue. No mother would choose such a place for her new baby. A baby in a manger was so unusual that verse 12 even calls it God's "sign." Then what does the sign of the manger mean to us? By learning the sign of the manger, we can know the true meaning of Christmas. May God show us baby Jesus in a manger personally today. 1. A Baby in a Manger (1-7) Let's read verse 1. "In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world." The chapter 2 opens with "Caesar Augustus." Before seeing a baby in a manger, we first meet "Caesar Augustus". He was the first of many "Caesars" in the history of the Roman Empire. He took power away from the Roman Senate and they honored him with the title: "Augustus." It was like calling him a "god." He is the symbol of the famous slogan "Pax Romana", "the peace of Rome." He promised stability and prosperity for his empire. In verse 1 "the entire Roman world" included all the countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. It was hard to manage this huge empire, and he developed a tax system by having a census from time to time. Taxes brought wealth to Rome, but it was another pain for the colonial people. Look at verse 3. Caesar's decree made simply everyone to stop whatever they were doing and go to their hometowns to register. There seemed to be no exception under Caesar's mighty power. Look at verses 4-5. "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. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child." In contrast to Caesar Augustus, we see an ordinary man Joseph. He was a carpenter in a small town Nazareth. His family was originally from Bethlehem in Judea. To register for the census, he suddenly had to leave his work and make a long trip. And his fiance Mary was at the end of her pregnancy. But Joseph took her along the journey. Why? Maybe he worried the people might stone her if he were not there. Maybe Mary wanted to be with him when the baby was born. Anyway, we cannot deny that ruthless worldly power forced pregnant Mary to have a harsh trip. However, the Bible suggest another clue for Mary's trip to Bethlehem in verse 4. Bethlehem was "the town of David." Joseph was from "the house and line of David." It tells us about God fulfilling his promises to David. David was deeply in love with God. God was so pleased and promised to raise up one of his descendants some day, to rule over his people with peace and love, and his kingdom would last forever (2Sa 7:12-13). From then, people were longing for this son of David, the promised Messiah. The prophet Micah prophesied that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, the town of David (Mic 5:2). Now Joseph and Mary were on their way to Bethlehem. We see our God, who is the Sovereign Ruler and perfectly controls our history. Caesar had issued the decree. But God was in control, fulfilling his promises perfectly. Sometimes we are in difficulties. We can't see what it all means. We need to learn the faith that, even in the middle of great hardship and misunderstanding, God is in control, carrying out his good purposes perfectly. Look at verses 6-7. "While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." Joseph was much slower than anyone else, because of Mary's condition. When they arrived, there was not even a single room left. Joseph must have had a hard time trying to find a room for her wife. Finally, when the time came for the baby to be born, there was no available room for Mary. No one bothered to notice her. No one offered to share a room. No one cared even if she died during childbirth. People's hard situations made their hearts hard and cold. Finally, she ended up giving birth where a manger, an animal's feedbox, was placed. It seems that Mary was at a stable where animals were sleeping. It was a dark, dirty place. Mary had to deliver her firstborn son among the animals, with no one to help her. She herself had to wrap him in cloths. Without a place to put him, she borrowed a manger. Who is this baby born in such a miserable way? The angel had said to Mary in 1:35b, "...the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God". The baby in the manger was the son of God who is greater than any man, even greater than Caesar Augustus. The baby Jesus is the Son of God and is the creator God. He is the king of kings and worthy to be praised. But our Lord Jesus came as a baby in a manger. It looks the most humiliating way. But God was not ashamed of sending his one and only son into a manger. Rather, he was looking for someone to hear the news of the baby Jesus born. He was full of joy and sent his angels to some shepherds nearby. 2. A Savior Has Been Born to You (8-14) Look at verse 8-9, "And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified." While others slept, the shepherds were struggling to stay awake. Like a nightwatch security guard, they were protecting their sheep at night. Being a shepherd was difficult, tired, and dangerous but was not socially respected. And God sent his angels to these shepherds. At my company, people in powerful position hear good news first. But God chose shepherds as the first ones to hear the birth of Jesus. There is no discrimination in Jesus. Anyone can come and hear Jesus' words. Look at verse 10. "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people." We can hardly think of any good news that everyone can enjoy together. Getting married is good news of great joy for married couples and also for many others. But perhaps for a few unmarried people who hope to marry, it might be a little sad. Usually, a baby's birth is another joyful occasion. But a childless couple might envy. It is hard to find universal good news of great joy for everyone. Then how can the birth of Jesus be the good news of great joy for all people? Look at verse 11. "Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." A Savior, Christ the Lord has been born to us. This is good news of great joy for all people. We all need a Savior. Without Jesus, we cannot solve our sin problems and pains. We deserve God's judgment. We will be condemned and thrown out and burned up. But a Savior has been born to us. He is Jesus. Jesus means, "The Lord saves." Jesus saves us from our sins and failures and all the elements of death and defeat. This Savior is Christ the Lord. The word "Christ" means "the Anointed One." Jesus the Christ is the anointed one of God, who rules God's kingdom. Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords. Jesus did not save us that we may live just as pleasing to us. We must submit to his authority and words. When Jesus rules us and becomes our kings, we are no longer under Satan's power. We are free to serve our Lord Jesus Christ every day. Look at verse 12. "This will be a sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." In God's world, the lowest is the greatest. The baby in the manger who is most humble is the greatest. He is the Savior and Christ the Lord. The shepherds hearing this good news were socially unrespected. They were very low in society. But they became great because they now had the good news of Jesus born for them. Each of us should have Jesus in us. Look at verse 12 again. A sign is unusual. The sign of Jesus was a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger, a baby in a manger. We all should have the same sign in each of us, because people nowadays will recognize Jesus when they see baby Jesus in a manger through us. Then let's learn why a baby in a manger was the sign of Jesus. Let's learn what God's purpose was in sending his one and only son in a manger. First, Jesus understands us. His parents had no privilege. His birth was ignored. Even from birth, he "was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering" (Isa 53:3). People born into riches, find it difficult to understand others. On the other hand, orphans or widows feel that no one really understands their hearts. Anyone left out or lonely feels that others don't understand them. But Jesus born in a manger truly understands, because he himself experienced all we do. He "shared in our humanity"; he "was made like us in every way"; he can understand our weaknesses. (Heb 2:14,17; 4:15a). Jesus born in a manger understands despised, rejected, sorrowful, and lonely people. Whatever we may have or suffer from, we can always come to Jesus who understands us. Second, Jesus became poor to make us rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9 reads, "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you, through his poverty, might become rich." Jesus was poor not just at his birth, but through his entire life. He lived poorly with his disciples. His poverty went to its lowest point when he died on a cross, pouring out all his blood. No matter how proud, sinful, rebellious or ugly we may have been, Jesus humbly came as a baby in a manger for us. He became poor for us, to restore our broken relationship with God. In Jesus, we become spiritually rich. Third, the spirit of the manger. The manger symbolizes God's great love for all forgotten, suffering and sin-sick people. It also symbolizes the lifestyle of those who follow Jesus. In the manger Jesus gave up all his power, glory and honor and "made himself nothing" (Php 2:7a). People did not recognize him or even give his mother a room. But Jesus came to them in the most humble way. The baby in the manger is so lovely and humble that he can melt even the hardest heart. We have many experiences when we interact with others, pride on both sides so often gets in the way. People are always competing to step up, not to step down. Jesus invites us all to come to him and learn his humble, gentle heart(Mt 11:29). We need to learn the spirit of the manger because God works through humility. Secondly, the spirit of the manger is self-sacrifice. The spirit of the world is, "Take care of yourself first." But the spirit of Jesus is, "Sacrifice yourself first." In the manger Jesus sacrificed himself for others. During his lifetime everyone came to know that Jesus saved others but did not save himself. The manger of Jesus symbolizes humbly serving all kinds of people. He calls us to do likewise. At my company, I was easily getting tired of works and responsibilities. More than that, I became sick of worldly culture. I thought while at company, I cannot do anything spiritual. I knew that Jesus is with me, but I was at the lowest position and could not find things to do. About two weeks ago, however during 회식, I had a chance to pray for all the team members one by one. I guess it was the first time in my company history. It was a short moment but I learned that Jesus is surely with me also at my company and he wants to save me from my daily failures burdens. Jesus is not a savior of his times only, or a savior when I was a student. Jesus is the savior wherever I am. Jesus looked weak when he came in a manger, but this Jesus defeated sin and death. I am the least in my company, but with this baby Jesus who won victory, I can also win victory. I pray that I learn the saving grace of Jesus in my daily life also at my company. I am just a beginner and the least in my company, but I pray that I may find a way to preach Jesus with the spirit of manger. I pray that Jesus may reveal himself at my company, my family, and wherever I am through me. Jesus still calls us to humbly serve needy college students until they become spiritually rich in Christ. God loves to work in places like the manger. UBF is mainly a house church ministry. Families live near a campus and open their homes to serve students with prayer, the love of God and the word of God. Sometimes people wonder if UBF is even really a church, when they look at our humble place. But being humble is the main character in the work and history of God in our time. Caesar Augustus with all his power, glory and wealth disappeared, but the humble, poor and rejected baby in a manger became the King and Savior of the whole world. While delivering the good news of Jesus, the angels became greatly overjoyed. Look at verses 13-14. "Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."" Suddenly a great army of angels appeared. They were not ashamed of baby Jesus in a manger. But they praised God for sending Jesus of peace. Jesus' birth is glory to God in heaven and peace to people on earth. In conclusion, Jesus came to us as a baby in a manger. The baby Jesus in the manger is our king who rules with true peace and with the love of God. He is the savior and Christ the Lord who saves us and rules us. Do we see this baby in the manger? Let's accept the baby in the manger personally. Let's worship this baby Jesus in the manger. |
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