Unit: Luke
Theme: The Messiah Comes
Lesson Text: Luke 2:1-20
Supplemental Texts: Luke 9:28-36; 21:25-28; John 1:14; 17:1-5; Revelation
1:12-18
Aim: Experience the glory of the Son all around you this season.
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By Mark Scott
Christmas is glorious. Despite its commercial distractions we speak of the “glory of Christmas.” It is more than a magical season. The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem is covered in glory—which matches other moments and aspects of our Savior’s life.
Scripture teaches that when Jesus came, we beheld his glory (John 1:14). It also teaches us that Jesus desired to experience the glory of his Father again (John 17:1-5). It also teaches us even while on earth Jesus appeared in glory (Luke 9:28-36). It also teaches us that Jesus exists in glory even now (Revelation 1:12-18). Finally, Jesus will come in glory when he returns (Luke 21:25-28).
Messianic Glory (1-7)
The humble and historical beginnings of Jesus’ earthly life at first pass hardly seem glorious. But if we looked between the lines, the glory of God was breaking out. The Christmas narrative does not begin, “Once upon a time” because this is no fairy tale. The glory of God happens in history. Caesar Augustus was in power. One of the local governors (to the north) was Quirinius. Some scholars debate Luke’s historical accuracy concerning this remark. But the meaning of the term governor and the two “reigns” of Quirinius affirm Luke’s accuracy. A census means taxes, so Joseph and Mary had to make a trip to the south.
This messianic glory was in perfect accord with the prophecies made that the Messiah would come through the line of King David. Joseph, Jesus’ legal and earthly father, was of that line. Bethlehem, the city of the singer of Israel, was the town where God’s glory would be displayed (Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:6). Mary was pledged to Joseph and pregnant by the Holy Spirit. The marriage had not been consummated yet, which gave a suspicion of immorality.
Given Mary’s advanced pregnancy, the journey to Bethlehem would not have been easy. In God’s perfect timing (Galatians 4:4), Jesus was born. Jesus was the firstborn which gave him all the privileges attached to that rank (Colossian 1:15). Mary wrapped him in cloths (not unusual) and laid him in a manger (very unusual). Imagine—the glory of God in a cattle trough. The reason? No room available in the “inn.” But what the universe cannot contain the guest room could not hold (1 Kings 8:27).
Angelic Glory (8-14)
Shepherds rarely saw much glory. Their lives consisted of sleepless and cold nights, working with less-than-bright animals, and manure. These shepherds were doing what shepherds did—watching their flocks by night. But suddenly the sky lit up and changed the trajectory of their lives forever. Think of it. Heaven is so glorious that when only one angel showed up the sky lit up like fireworks on July 4th. No wonder they were terrified.
But the angel said what angels always say when they come in contact with humans, “Do not be afraid.” The good news of the angel would cause great joy for people. Lowly (and despised) shepherds received the angel’s announcement. In the town of David (Bethlehem) a Savior had been born, and he was the long-awaited Messiah, the one who dwells in unapproachable light (1 Timothy 6:16). The sign was not the birth of a baby. The sign was not a baby wrapped in cloths. The sign was that the glory of God would be displayed in a manger.
Then the angel was joined by an army of angels. If one angel from heaven could scare the shepherds, imagine what a heavenly host of angels could do. It looked like the angels were saying (singing?) number 148 from the hymnal, “Glory to God in the highest.” The result of this glory coming to earth? Peace!
Evangelistic Glory (15-20)
It must have taken several minutes for the shepherds to collect themselves when the angels left them. Probably still catching their collective breath they said, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened.” So they made their journey from “Shepherds Field” to town. Somehow they found the holy family. The sign was confirmed when they saw Jesus in the manger (the third time now that this term has been mentioned).
How long they stayed staring at Jesus we are not told. But evidently it was long enough for their evangelistic juices to get flowing. They left and spread the word (spoken word by the angels) concerning this amazing child. Everyone was amazed. Mary must have sat back and said to herself, “Glory, where will all of this end?” But the shepherds headed back to Shepherd’s Field giving glory to God and praising him for what they had been privileged to see and hear. Glory!
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