Luke 2

Birth of Jesus

Luke 2:1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

Ceasar was the Roman king whose legions had conquered most of the known world. With the Romans in command, they made highways for traveling from one country to another. Israel was under Roman rule and had to obey their laws and decrees.

For hundreds and hundreds of years, Rome prided itself on being a republic? A nation governed by laws, not by any man. The idea that no man was above the law, and the Roman Senate and the army and various political leaders lived together in a sometimes difficult arrangement. Now, Octavius would change all that. In 27 b.c. he arranged for the Roman Senate to give him the title Augustus, which means "exalted" and "sacred." Now Rome wasn't a republic, governed by laws; it was an empire governed by an emperor. The first Emperor of Rome was this same Caesar Augustus.(Guzik)

Luke 2:2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

Luke gives us another historical reference. Cyrenius was governor of the region near Galilee.

Luke 2:3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
Luke 2:4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
Luke 2:5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

Bethlehem, meaning city of bread, was the home of King David. Both Joseph and Mary were related to the king. Jesus, was called the bread of life. The bread of life was to be born in the city of bread, fulfilling a prophecy.

Micah 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

Luke 2:6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
Luke 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Mary was near the time to give birth. Mary probably road on a donkey to Bethlehem which was eighty miles from Nazareth. There was no room in the inn, so Jesus, the Lamb of God was born in a barn where animals were kept. She brought forth her firstborn son, probably with no help. She wrapped the baby Jesus in swaddling clothes, which is to wrap arms and all under the warmth of a blanket. The baby that was so helpless would be known as the son of man and the eternal Son of God, who brought forth the worlds with the Father. The Word became flesh; what a humble birth for one so great. They had no cradle, so they laid him in a manger, which is an animal feeding trough. The date of the birth is not known. From the fourth century tradition has been to celebrate his birth on December 25. The important thing is that Jesus was born in a quiet place away from the world’s eyes. The Son of God, the living word, came into the likeness of a human and dwelt among us.

John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Shepherds and angels

Luke 2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

In that culture, shepherds were considered the lowest class of people. These shepherds may have been caring for the lambs used for the temple sacrifices.

Luke 2:9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

First, one angel comes to the Shepherds; the angel of the Lord. Was it Gabriel or Michael the archangel? The glory of the Lord shone about them. Some erroneously say that Michael was Jesus. Well, Jesus is not an angel and this s explained in the book of Hebrews.

Heb 1:4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
Heb 1:5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?

Luke 2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

A bright shining in the dark of night, would frighten most anyone, so the angel said, be not afraid. Then the angel brings a message of good tidings, the gospel of great joy, which was to all people.

Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

The fulfillment of Micah's prophecy. (Micah 5:2)

Luke 2:12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

The Jews required a sign as did the father of John the Baptist, which caused him to be speechless until John was born. This was a simple sign, a baby in a feeding trough. Most unusual and a humble beginning..

Luke 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Suddenly, unexpectedly there was with the one angel a great number, an army of angels singing praises to God.

Luke 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Glory, honor and praise to the most high God, and on earth peace, inward peace that comes from the presence of a loving God, and God's good will and grace resting on human beings. Heavens angels came down, not in the big city, not to the temple for the priests, not to Caesar or to kings, but to lowly shepherds. Jesus would be called the good shepherd and also the (sacrificial) lamb of God. He was the way and the means of our forgiveness and our salvation. Shall we join the angels in shouting praises to God? Glory to God in heaven, Emanuel, his son is with us.

The Shepherds witness

Luke 2:15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

Out of all people, these lowly shepherds were given the message first. The shepherds believed the angels and they wanted to see the babe.

Luke 2:16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

No wise men were there at this time for they came a year or two later after the family had moved into a house.

Mat 2:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

Luke 2:17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
Luke 2:18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

These were the first men to preach the good news.

Rom 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

Luke 2:19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

Mary kept all these things, and thought about them in her mind.

Luke 2:20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Did everyone believe? Probably not, but they planted a seed of truth in many peoples minds. The shepherds had nothing to lose. King Herod would hear from the wise men and seek to kill Jesus because he was said to be a king. The Chief priests would hear from the testimony of Jesus and seek to kill him from envy. Satan was king of the world, he would use the powers of men's authority to kill Jesus. The Shepherds only tended sheep, they were glad to hear the message and to share it. How about you?

According to the Law

Luke 2:21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

The angel Gabriel told Mary to name the Baby Jesus, actually Yeshua or Joshua in the Hebrew. Jesus is the Greek word for Joshua, which means savior. The New Testament was translated into the Greek, because this was the language most nations knew as a second language. In today's world, English is the second language that many countries learn. Jesus being a Hebrew child under their laws, even kept the law as a baby. Thank God for obedient parents who do, as God requires.

Luke 2:22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;

Old Covenant purification or cleansing was a ceremony to remove sins. Jesus identified with sinners in this ritual, in baptism and on the cross; yet, he had no sins.

Luke 2:23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
Luke 2:24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

Both the baby and the woman were to be cleansed by an offering of sacrifice; the customary offering was a lamb. If they were poor, the offering could be two turtledoves or two pigeons.

Lev 12:7 Who shall offer it before the LORD, and make an atonement for her; and she shall be cleansed from the issue of her blood. This is the law for her that hath born a male or a female.
Lev 12:8 And if she be not able to bring a lamb, then she shall bring two turtles, or two young pigeons; the one for the burnt offering, and the other for a sin offering: and the priest shall make an atonement for her, and she shall be clean.

Note, that the wise men had not yet come with gold for them. They were poor, offering two pigeons, or two doves, but the Father above would provide for them. The wise men would bring them valuable gifts. Persecution from King Herod would follow and they would flee to Egypt. They would have the provisions of God.

Simeon

Luke 2:25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
Luke 2:26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

Simeon was an elderly gentleman of faith. He was devout, he reverenced God and believed the scriptures that spoke of the consolation; the word used for the Comforter, the Spirit of God, of Israel; and the Holy Ghost was upon him. He was a Spirit filled man full of faith, expecting to see the messiah before his death.

Luke 2:27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
Luke 2:28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
Luke 2:29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:

Being full of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth led him to the temple when Jesus was brought in. He took the child in his arms, no doubt with eyes filled with tears. Jesus was the one he was waiting to see. He blessed Jesus and God blessed him with a fulfillment of a promise; now he could die in peace.

How many of us have been given a vision from God? Are we as Simeon, filled with faith and faithful? Are we knowledgeable of God's promises in His Bible? If we are as Simeon, our vision will come to pass. Stay in prayer until you hear clearly from God and then do not neglect to act when the Spirit says it is time. If God has spoken, it will come to pass, so remain faithful and be ready.

Light and glory

Luke 2:30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
Luke 2:31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
Luke 2:32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

Simeon had seen the light of the world. Perhaps in remembrance of Isaiahs prophecy seven hundred years earlier;

Isa 60:1 Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.
Isa 60:2 For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.
Isa 60:3 And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.

Jesus himself as a man would speak these words;

John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

Luke 2:33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.

They stood in wonder at these words.

Luke 2:34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;

The fall and rising again of many in Israel;

John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
John 12:33 This he said, signifying what death he should die.

Jesus himself would fall under the persecution of those in power and be lifted up on the cross. He would be buried and resurrected again. To come to him we must fall down and repent of sins and he will lift us up to receive new life. We receive him and we go up with him to heaven. For those who reject him, they are cast down into hell after they die. Now is the time to receive Jesus, humble yourself, put off the sinful life and put on Jesus. He is the power to rise above the worlds ways into eternal life.

Luke 2:35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

Mary would suffer seeing the rejection and murder of her son; God's son from heaven. Yet, she would rejoice at his resurrection and her whole family would believe in him, including James and Jude.

Jesus brought the two edged sword, it would divide truth from darkness, and bring the Spirit of discernment.

The sword of the word of truth;

Mat 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
Mat 10:35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
Mat 10:36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.
Mat 10:37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

We must love Jesus and his truth more than family that may oppose the truth of Jesus. Follow Jesus unto life eternal.

His word is a divider and discerner of right and wrong, of soul things and spirit things.

Heb 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

The light and the truth came through Jesus; the way to heaven and life eternal.

Anna

Luke 2:36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;

A prophetess, one who hears from God and speaks his word. Note that she was not a priest or a teacher, formally in the temple, yet God spoke through her to certain people. I do not believe a true prophet seeks their own glory, but they are bound to speak forth the word that God has for them and to the ones intended. This is one hearing from God, not a psychic or seer. The psychic is of the dark spirits of satan. One should never listen to a psychic, but a prophet of God we are not to despise.

1 Th 5:20 Despise not prophesyings.
1 Th 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
1 Th 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

Luke 2:37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

A powerful woman of God. Doing as she did gave her the attention of God, who spoke to her and through her. There is a price to pay, to receive a great anointing of God's Spirit.

Luke 2:38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

She came to the baby Jesus as Simeon was blessing and prophesying of him and she joined in, confirming by two godly witnesses that this was indeed the one sent who would save Israel. Anna was witnessing of Jesus to all those who were looking for redemption in Israel. Again, God uses a woman to be the first evangelist in Jerusalem. The Samaritan woman at the well in John 4, would be the first Gentile evangelist and Mary Magdalene was the first to witness the risen savior. Seems that women were the first to speak out and share as witnesses, being usually more vocal, yet men were to lead in the formal services.

Luke 2:39 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.

Son of the law, Son of grace

Luke 2:40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

The child grew, just like all humans, but he became stronger in spirit, was filled with wisdom: and God's grace, The anointing was on him. We must remember that his name is Christ, the anointed, yet, when God came down in this child, he put aside his great glory, humbled himself and became as a man.

Phil 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Phil 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

Thought it not something to seize or hold onto, to be equal with God, though he was equal as God the Son, before coming down from heaven into a man.

Phil 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Phil 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Luke 2:41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
Luke 2:42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.

This is the only mention of Jesus as a child, other than when he was a baby. The Passover feast was a required feast for all males of Israel. At the age of twelve a Jewish boy became a son of the law and began to observe the requirements of the law.

Luke 2:43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.

The child Jesus tarried, he lingered in the house of God. He was in no hurry to go, he savored the things of God. He wanted all that he could get from God's word and worship. We have "afterglow services," times when we are wanting to linger for more of God, more of his Spirit and revelation. His mind was on the things of God, not what was for dinner, or the games that children play after church, he was dedicated to receiving all that he could receive, as a human, all that a spirit filled human could be; as God's son, to glorify His father.

Missing Child

Luke 2:44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
Luke 2:45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.

Jesus was missing from among those who were on their journey home. He had always been a perfect obedient child, who would have expected him not to follow? What were they doing for a day, walking and riding the donkeys and not noticing that Jesus was not with them? Was Joseph thinking of that woodworking job that he needed to finish? Was Mary concerned about what she had in the household? If they could overlook Jesus, what about parents today so involved in making a living that they leave their children unattended? People are so focused on the cares and problems of the world that they soon forget the things of God.

Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Mat 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Luke 2:46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
Luke 2:47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.

After three days, many important things can happen, after three days. Lazarus was raised from the dead, Jesus was resurrected after three days in the grave. They found him still after three days, night and day for three days sitting in the midst of the doctors of the law, hearing and asking them questions. The doctors were astonished at his understanding and answers.

When my daughter was two or three years old she was fluent in her speaking and even correcting me as to grammar. It was a gift to her. Jesus had an understanding way above his level. He was discovering the hidden glory of the Living Word. He was as someone who had lost their memory, quickly regaining what was set aside, regaining the glory of the Son of God from heaven. His parents were amazed too, but on the level of their understanding.

Luke 2:48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.

Why have you caused us distress, why had you not followed with the families? She was implying that he had been disobedient to them.

Luke 2:49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?

He was obeying his Father in heaven. This was the Father's business to build up the Spiritual Son of God, not to do the physical chores of the worlds concerns. Those things would be done, but Jesus was learning of his Father and the things of the law, holy things for a holy son.

Luke 2:50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
Luke 2:51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

They didn't see with spiritual eyes, nonetheless Jesus obeyed them as their son of flesh and blood. Mary should have known, she had an encounter with the angel and the son was not the work of a man, but of God. It seemed that Mary kept a lot of thoughts inside. But, Luke no doubt interviewed her so that these thoughts and events were unlocked from her heart, for us.

Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

Again, the word reminds us that Jesus grew in wisdom and stature. He grew in the things of God and he grew up as a young man. He pleased God his father and he pleased men. He was of a good reputation, wise and honorable and having no sin. He stood out as a light before his people.

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