Luke 2:1-20

Luke 2:1-20

Greatest Story Ever—Scene V

I. The greatest story ever told, is about the greatest Gift ever given; so we must remember the humble origins of God’s glorious Gift (Vv. 1-7)

a. Just taken at face value, without knowing what comes next, and if you hadn’t read what was written before it, Luke’s account of the birth of the Lord and Savior of the universe in flesh, reads almost like a history textbook or an instruction manual, with an unfortunate ending for a young couple and baby. Luke reports who the Emperor was, who the governor was, what political event was going on in the land, the technical reason for Joseph and pregnant Mary having to make the three day trip to Bethlehem, why Jesus slept His first night, on the planet He breathed into existence, in a feeding trough, and that He was dressed in a wrapping of rags. No mention of prophesy, which foretold hundreds of years before the fact, that the Messiah, God in flesh, would be of the line of David in his hometown, and born of a virgin. But remember, Luke was writing to his Gentile friend, the political official Theophilus. He wouldn’t have been familiar with the Hebrew prophesies, but would’ve taken notice that God worked through the Emperor, the most powerful human being in the world at time, and other high ranking officials to set up the time and circumstances to be exactly what He desired and predicted for the birth of Christ. Behind every prophesy is the providence of God. Every day and in every way, God is in control of all things and working all things according to His perfect plan and purpose. But just like He brought new Life into the world through humble origins, our new life in Him must begin in humility and be continually cultivated in humble hearts. Every circumstance in life is an opportunity to see God working and participate, if we humble ourselves in repentant faith before Him. (Vv. 1-7; 2 Sam. 7:12-16; Isa. 7:14; Micah 5:2; Matt. 5:3-8; John 3:16; Phil 2:5-8; James 4:10; 1 Pet. 5:6)

II. The greatest story ever told, is about the greatest Gift ever given; so we must remember the humble recipients of God’s glorious Gift (Vv. 8-14)

a. Now Luke moves from the mechanical and technical facts of the birth of Christ, to the amazing and glorious power of God on display. It just so “happened” that in the same region where Jesus was born, there were some shepherds tending their sheep at night. God sent His angelic messenger with the good news of great joy for all people; that the Messiah, the Savior, the Christ, and Lord had been born in Bethlehem. He calmed the shepherds’ fears and gave them a road map to properly identify the Savior, and He testified to the glory of the whole event by blasting forth praise through His angelic army of light and power. Shepherds, considered dishonest, untrustworthy, and unclean, were the least likely people God could’ve come to with such wonderful news. But these were godly men, seeking Him, and yearning for His promised Messiah and His promised peace. God’s Messiah didn’t come to those whom the world would celebrate as great according to their standards. The Messiah wouldn’t be a dramatic figure, who was especially noticeable by human standards, but He would be the humble and faithful Good Shepherd that would never abandon His sheep who trusted faithfully in Him. God’s glory, the greatest gift ever given, came in humble beginnings, given to humble recipients, because God doesn’t need extraordinary people. He desires humble and faithful people, through which He’ll testify to the extraordinary power and glory of His great gift of salvation through Christ. The gift which brings eternal joy, hope, and peace, far more glorious than anything any human being can accomplish! (Vv. 8-14; Gen. 43:32; 46:34; Ps. 23; Isa. 53:2-6; Ezek. 34:23; Matt. 2:1-3; Luke 19:10; John 1:29; 10:11-17, 27-30; 14:27; Rom. 15:13; Phil. 4:6)

III. The greatest story ever told, is about the greatest Gift ever given; so we must express great joy over God’s glorious gift at all times (Vv. 15-20)

a. After witnessing such an awesome display of God’s glory, and receiving such amazing news, the shepherds wasted no time in seeking out God’s glorious gift. Of course, they found everything exactly as God said they would. Their message of great joy over the greatest gift ever given, stirred up wonder and expectation in all who heard it. Even Mary, perhaps beleaguered by her circumstances, treasured up all that she heard God had done in heart, was encouraged, and thought long and hard on it. But look at what the shepherds did next! They went back to work, and never stopped praising God and rejoicing in Him! He hadn’t changed their circumstances, but He had changed their hope and joy eternally, through the greatest gift ever given, and their lives reflected it. (Vv. 15-20; Isa. 6:1-8; Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 1:8; 4:12-13, 20; 2 Cor. 5:17-21; Eph. 2:8-10; Col. 1:11-14)