Luke Chapter 2

Luke Chapter 2.

The Birth of Jesus.  2:1-7.  An event of world-significance brought Jesus' parents to Bethlehem.  It was necessary that Joseph go to Bethlehem to enrol, but his arrival there fulfilled a greater necessity, for Messiah must be born at Bethlehem. (see Micah.5:4-5).

           

The humble circumstances of His birth and advent. 2:6-7.  There was no room for the mother and her child.  But compare 14:22.  Room in God's House for men.

           

The Birth stories.  It has been observed: That they are told from a mother's viewpoint.  The Palestinian background. Their Jewish character is very strong.  Luke's account is marked by such frequent Semitisms as to suggest a Hebrew Source or document.  Mary is the central figure in Luke's account, whilst in Matthew it is Joseph who has the central role.  However it is Matthew, who most clearly declares that Jesus was born of the virgin, without the agency of man.

           

The birth stories indicate that Jesus sprang from a devout group in Israel that continued to practice piety towards God, after the best pattern of religious faith found in the Old Testament.  It consisted of a circle of devout people who prayed and waited for the Saviour who was to be born.  Christianity had its roots in the best type of Hebrew piety, an evangelical piety that continued down from Old Testament times in such humble circles and embracing a cross section of people.

           

The angels and the shepherds.  2:8-20.  It is often thought that this incident indicates Jesus was born in the northern summer as it is in summer the shepherds camp out with their flocks.  But, no one can be sure of the custom of those times.  However, our date, the 25th December, is likely a day that had a pagan origin - originally associated with the return of the sun after winter.

           

The Circumcision and the Presentation.  2:21-39.  The scrupulous fulfilment of the Law in respect of circumcision, the mother's cleansing and the offering for the firstborn, reminds us that Jesus was born under the Law.  Thus the presentation of Jesus in the Temple v.40-52 emphasizes His humanity, revealed in his boyhood, for he grew not only in stature, but also in wisdom.

           

A Christian sermon.  Christmas teaches the dignity of motherhood and the importance of little children.  "The human race marches forward on the feet of little children."  Christmas inspires the sentiment of humanity.  The Son of the Highest became man to manifest God's goodwill to all men everywhere.  Christmas reminds us of the supreme importance of Spiritual values.  We are apt to forget them in an age of material values.  But we have a Saviour who is Christ the Lord.

           

Lit. Standard works in defence of the Virgin Birth are those by Orr and by Machen.