The Birth Of The King (Luke 2:1-7, Matthew 1:18-25)
Rev. William L. Barron, December 25, 2022Part of the Advent Series: Christ Coming To Build His Church series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
Luke, the physician, wrote about the life and ministry of Jesus Christ and the growth of His church in Acts. Caesar Augustus was known for his ruthlessness early in life and his reasonableness as Rome's first emperor. He ordered a census to be taken about 8 BC and hence thereafter every 14 years. Herod, the ruler of the Jews in Jerusalem, died in 4 BC. Jesus was probably born about 5 BC. Luke's account of these events persuade us of his authenticity and of events that really happened. They all mesh together and fulfill the words of the Old Testament prophets. Caesar Augustus represented the foremost world power of the day. Jesus in his humiliation embodied the power of God. The census was inconvenient to the people of that time. They all had to travel to their home towns. This is why there was no room for Joseph and Mary in the inn. The nativity story serves to persuade us of the overwhelming depravity of man which required in the fullness of time Christ's humiliation was so deep and profound. We deserve death, yet Christ emptied Himself of His glory and communion with His Father, to suffer and die on the cross for us. Jesus' coming was absolutely necessary for our salvation. Because he lives, we live. The census was a means of control over the people. Yet it was ordained by God, the Lord of history, so that Jesus could be born in the city of David. God is still in control and is at work through His church.
| Earlier: | Same day: | Later: |
|---|---|---|
| « The Perfect Gift | None | Return To Me, Then Rebuild » |
Luke 2:1–7 (Listen)
2:1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
(ESV)
Matthew 1:18–25 (Listen)
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel”
(which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.
(ESV)