Sermon Text: Luke 2:1-7
Scripture Reading: Philippians 2:1-11
Sermon Title: Bethlehem: A Piece in the Puzzle of Providence
He was conceived by the union of divine grace and human disgrace. He who breathed the breath of life into the first man is now Himself a man breathing His first breath. The King of kings now sleeping in a cow-pen. The Creator of oceans and seas and rivers afloat in the womb of His mother. God sucking His thumb. The Alpha and Omega learning His multiplication tables. He who was once surrounded by the glorious stereophonic praise of adoring angels now hears the lowing of cattle, the bleating of sheep, the stammering of bewildering shepherds. He who spoke the universe into being now coos and cries. Omniscient Deity counting His toes…From the robes of eternal glory to the rags of swaddling clothes. The omnipresent Spirit, whose being fills the galaxies, confined to the womb of a peasant girl. Infinite power learning to crawl.
- Sam Storms
Introduction
These seven short verses (Luke 2:1-7) are perhaps the most simple, concise, and straightforward language that could have been used to describe the most profound birth in the history of the world. We are all in great danger of missing the magnificent this morning because of the desensitization that comes from familiarity. Before reading our text this morning, let us ponder the thoughts of Martin Luther:
When I am told that God became a man, I can follow the idea, but I just do not understand what it means. For what man, if left to his natural promptings, if he were God, would humble himself to lie in the feedbox of a donkey or to hang upon a cross? God laid upon Christ the iniquities of us all. This is that ineffable and infinite mercy of God which the slender capacity of man’s heart cannot comprehend and much less utter – that unfathomable depth and burning zeal of God’s love towards us…Who can sufficiently declare this exceeding great goodness of God? (cited in Roland H. Bainton, “Here I Stand”. Nashville: Abingdon, 1950, 223)
Read Luke 2:1-7
By “whole world” (Luke 2:1) Luke is referring to the entire Roman Empire. Octavian (Augustus in Luke 2:1) became known for his administrative organizing of the empire after an interesting rise to power. He was the great nephew of Julius Caesar. After the murder of Julius Caesar, he was named chief heir and ruled in a triumvirate (a political regime dominated by three powerful individuals) with Mary Antony and Lepidus. Lepidus fell from power in 36 B.C. and Antony’s involvement with Cleopatra of Egypt brought him into conflict with Octavian. In 31 B.C. Octavian won a decisive victory over Antony at Actium and was finally acknowledged as Augustus (Latin for August, meaning supreme dignity) Caesar by the Senate in 27 B.C. when they gave him the honored Greek name Augustus. His reign was known for its peaceful character.[3]
Why the history lesson? Before answering that question, think upon another question: Why did the census require the Jewish people to travel away from their home?
The census, which could be controversial (the census was used for taxation and military purposes; the Jewish people were exempt from military service, so this particular census was for the purpose of collecting money in the future), used customs that would be least offensive to the Jewish people. For Jews, an ancestral registration would be the most natural way to sign up for taxes (2 Samuel 24).[3]
God directed the mind of the most powerful man on earth, Caesar Augustus, to accomplish his purpose.[2] “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will” (Proverbs 21:1). Why did Mary, who could have given birth at any moment, make this long trip with Joseph? Since only men were required to register on behalf of their families, why would Mary make the long, exhausting, dangerous trip?
Some suggest Joseph didn’t want to miss the birth of Jesus or that Mary didn’t want to be all alone or that the gossip was too great in Nazareth. Although these factors might have been influential, I am certain the reason Mary took the trip is because Joseph and Mary knew the Scriptures.
“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah (Epretha), who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from old, from ancient of days. Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of his brothers shall return to the people of Israel. And he shall stand a shepherd of his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty in the name of the LORD his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth. And he shall be their peace” (Micah 5:2-5).
Zechariah, Elizabeth, Joseph, and Mary knew that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem. It is very reasonable to believe as evidenced by Anna (Luke 2:36-38) and Simeon (Luke 2:25) who were both waiting daily for the arrival of Jesus. The testimony of the Old Testament Scripture makes it crystal clear that Jesus was to be expected when He was born.
Puzzle Illustration
The puzzle piece alone makes no sense whatsoever. Look at this piece. Can you see the picture it helps to represent? This piece looks like no good thing and makes absolutely no sense. I cannot discern if this is part of a tree, building, person, landscape, etc. This piece represents a miscarriage, a layoff, an unavoidable and unbearable boss, the early death of a child or parent, chronic pain, a wayward child, shame, embarrassment, intense family conflict, a lifelong fight with a particular sin, and painful financial hardship.
If you were trying to figure out where this piece fits, what it meant, what its significance was, what would you do? Would you run in the corner, grab a magnifying glass, and stare into the piece until you were enlightened? Would you remember that it has been drilled into your head that it has great significance and because it was necessary, begrudgingly holding to it fighting bitterness? With all due respect, if you had half a brain, you would hold the piece in one hand and the puzzle box in the other. You would take a glance at the piece and then a longer glance at the box, right?
- We would have filed for an extension due to the impending pregnancy
- Every time you were hungry and your feet hurt you would curse Caesar Augustus
- When in the cave where Jesus was born, away from your friends and familiarity, we would have drowned in self-pity and battled future anger
- While traveling back, remember they had to now go back with a newborn baby, bitterness creeps in…
Close
- Your trials should give you great joy, for it is a piece of God’s mysterious providence for His glory and for your good
- Your trials chain you to people – the cancer specialist, the counselor, etc. – they need to see you singing. Right now some of your kids, extended family, neighbors, unruly bosses, doctor, etc. need to see you sing.
- This kind of joy cannot be fabricated. This kind of joy is created by the Holy Spirit in the heart of man as we look at the big picture, a picture that certainly includes us, but it bigger than us and is not primarily about us.
Jesus’ coming is the final and unanswerable proof that God cares (William Barclay).
Sources:
- Sproul, R.C. The Reformation Study Bible. Lake Mary, FL: Ligonier Ministries, 2005.
- MacArthur, John. The MacArthur New Testament Commentary: Luke 1-5. Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2009.
- Brock, Darrell. Luke 1:1-9:50. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 1994.
- Brock, Darrell. The NIV Application Commentary: Luke. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1996.
- Ryle, J.C. Luke. Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway Books, 1997.
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