December 24, 2023 - Luke 2:1-20
December 24, 2023
Lessons Learned
Luke 2:1-20
1. The birth of Jesus was announced to:
Mary and Joseph by angels. Luke 1:26-27, Matthew 1:20
The shepherds by angels. Luke 2:8-13
The wise men by a star. Matthew 2:1-2
To anyone who would listen to the shepherds. Luke 2:17-18
Herod was told that a king had been born by the wise men. Matthew 2:3-6
2. Micah prophesied that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem 700 years before His birth.
“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
one who is to be ruler in Israel,
whose coming forth is from of old,
from ancient days.” Micah 5:2
3. Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would be a descendant of Jesse, David's father, 700 years before His birth.
“There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse,
and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.” Isaiah 11:1
4. Bethlehem was King David’s hometown. 1 Samuel 17:12
5. Jewish writings indicate sheep raised in the Bethlehem area were used for sacrifice in the temple in Jerusalem.
6. Caesar is a title meaning ‘king’ or ‘emperor.’
7. Augustus was another name for Octavious, grand-nephew of Julius Caesar.
8. Jesus was born at the time appointed by God.
“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law.” Galatians 4:4
9. The purpose for Jesus to be born as a man.
“to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.” Galatians 4:5
10. The journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem was approximately 90 miles.
11. Bethlehem means ‘house of bread.’ It is fitting for the Bread of Life (John 6:35) to be born in the town whose name means ‘house of bread.’
12. It is fitting that the shepherds were the first to visit the ‘lamb of God’ at the manger.
13. The shepherds were the first evangelists.
14. Jesus steps from eternity to time in the most humble setting imaginable:
Considered to be born out of fornication.
His crib was a feeding trough.
Parents were poor.
Parents had to flee to Egypt to save his life.
Grew up on the ‘wrong side of the tracks,’ Nazareth.
He was a carpenter by trade—he learned to work hard for a living.
15. “He (Jesus) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.” Colossians 1:15
16. Looking to Jesus is the only way for people to effectively deal with their sin problem.
17. Salvation through Jesus is intended for all people.
18. Salvation does not come automatically. People retain the freedom to reject Him.
19. Application:
God made the arrangements for Jesus to be born according to Old Testament prophecy in Bethlehem.
God invites us today, not to His birthplace but to the cross to seek for forgiveness of sin.
Just as the shepherds told about the good news of His birth, we are to tell of the good news of forgiveness of sin through Jesus.