The Way - Day 002 (Luke 2)

Pastor Tom's Journal on Today's Reading:
Luke 2:1-24
In the first chapter of Luke, the writer documented two significant events: the miraculous events surrounding the birth of John the Baptist (1:5-25, 57-80) and the revelation of the angel to Mary that she would soon be miraculously giving birth to the promised Savior, Jesus (1:26-56). For more on the angel's appearance to Joseph, Mary's fiancé, see Matthew 1:18-25. At the beginning of the second chapter of Luke, he describes the events preceding Jesus' birth: "And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city" (2:1-3). Every fourteen years, this census would take place and according to Roman law each family had to return to their place of origin. Since Joseph's ancestral home was located in Bethlehem, he and Mary made this seventy mile journey from Galilee to Bethlehem through a very mountainous region (2:4-5).

While in Bethlehem (see Micah 5:2), Mary gave birth to "her firstborn Son and, wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn" (2:6-7). Luke would later write in his gospel that this Son born to Mary and fathered by the Holy Spirit had "come to seek and save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10). Following the birth of Jesus the angels announced his birth to some shepherds who were watching their flocks, "...an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger'" (2:9-12).

When the angels departed from the presence of the shepherds, the men went to visit this child, Jesus, and "found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger" (2:15-16). After seeing the Baby, the shepherds "made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds" (2:17-18). Mary also pondered the events which had transpired and was amazed that God would allow her to be the mother of the promised Messiah (2:19). "Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them" (2:20).

After eight days, the Child was circumcised according to Jewish custom and He was named, Jesus, which was "the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb" (2:21). Mary was ceremonially unclean for forty days following the birth of Jesus (according to the Law of Moses), but following this time Mary and Joseph took Him to the temple in order to dedicate Him to God as their firstborn (2:22-24). What an amazing thought that Jesus was dedicated for the purpose of being used by His own Father, ultimately to become the perfect sacrifice for sins of mankind. Although Jesus' birth was a celebration of new life for Mary and Joseph, His birth is also a celebration of His eventual death by which those who believe will be given life.

Luke 2:25-52
Luke has already provided his readers with a detailed account of the events surrounding two miraculous births: John the Baptist (1:5-25, 57-80) and Jesus Christ (1:26-56; 2:1-24). John the Baptist would soon prepare the hearts of the people by calling them to repentance and then the Messiah, Jesus, would arrive to bring salvation to all who would believe in Him. Before he writes concerning some events in Jesus' early life, Luke documents the testimony of two people who were able to see Jesus following His birth. First, Luke draws the reader's attention to a man named Simeon whom he describes as "...just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ" (2:25-26). When Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple, Simeon "...took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: 'Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel'" (2:28-32). Simeon's words confirmed that Jesus had come to redeem "all peoples" from their sins. Upon hearing Simeon's prophecy, Mary and Joseph were amazed (2:33). Turning to Mary, Simeon spoke these further words, "Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed" (2:34-35). Jesus' life and ministry would expose the true hearts of people, especially the hearts of His own people, Israel. Within Simeon's prophecy are the hints of Jesus' sufferings and more specifically, the grief of Mary who would watch her Son be put to death for claiming to be the Messiah.

The second testimony recorded by Luke is that of Anna, a prophetess (2:36). She was an 84 year old widow who "served God with fastings and prayers [in the temple] night and day" (2:37) and "spoke of Him [Jesus] to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem" (2:38). She wholeheartedly declared that the Messiah had come to bring redemption to all who would believe! After leaving the temple, Luke skips over the visit of the Magi as well as Joseph and Mary's departure to Egypt in order to escape Herod's command to kill all male children (see Matthew 2:1-18). His timeline picks up when Joseph and Mary return to Nazareth where he writes that Jesus "grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him" (2:39-40).

Luke then records the only known incident from Jesus' years as a youth. At the age of twelve, Jesus goes with his parents to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover as they had done every year (2:41-42); however, when the Passover concluded they departed with a large "company of people" thinking that Jesus was somewhere amongst them when, in reality, He had stayed behind in Jerusalem (2:43-44). After a day of travel, Jesus' parents realized that He was not with them so they returned to Jerusalem to search for Him there (2:45). On the third day of searching, they found Jesus in the temple "sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers" (2:46-47). When Mary saw Him she spoke saying, "Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously" (2:48). Jesus, knowing that his parents were frustrated, answered them saying, "Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?" (2:49) Mary and Joseph did not understand Jesus' answer (2:50), but those of us who read Luke's account now know that Jesus was distinguishing between His human "father" and His heavenly Father. Jesus' words here reveal that at a very young age He was aware of the mission for which His Father had sent Him. Jesus eventually left with His parents and they departed to Nazareth where Luke writes that He was "subject [obedient] to them" and also "increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men" (2:51-52). Luke's statement, which was written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, reveals that although Jesus was divine, He was also subject to the same process of growing up as all human beings. This helps Him identify with all the things that we experience in our human flesh, except He was able to live a perfect life.

Dear God, I am grateful for You sending Your Son, Jesus, to bring salvation to all who believe. As Jesus was obedient to all Your ways, make me obedient as I surrender to Your control.