relationships (Luke 2:1-52) Being Relatable

(Luke 2:1-20)

Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. 2 This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all the people were on their way to register for the census, each to his own city. 4 Now Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, 5 in order to register along with Mary, who was betrothed to him, and was pregnant. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock at night. 9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood near them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10 And so the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army of angels praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest,
     And on earth peace among people with whom He is pleased.”

15 When the angels had departed from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem, then, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. 17 When they had seen Him, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. 18 And all who heard it were amazed about the things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.

TODAY'S TAKEAWAY:

The Lord is nothing else but "relatable". Desiring to connect with us, He came down from glory, to be born in flesh, to be fully man while still being fully God, to literally "walk in our shoes".  As, not just the King of the Jews, but the King of kings, He could have chosen to be born in a palace, but He didn't even choose to be "middle-class"- He chose to be born into a very humble state, which led to His ministry, as He perfectly put into practice everything that He taught.  

Now, here are some of the mind-blowing symbolisms that connect!  The Jews were more than fine with the fact that their important ancestors, Abraham, Moses and king David had all been shepherds, who become great leaders among them, all being blessed by the Lord, and all receiving covenants from the Lord.  

The Abrahamic covenant promises land, seed and blessings.  The Mosaic covenant promises that in perfect obedience, all covenants will be fulfilled.  And the Davidic covenant promises a throne that is eternal.  All of these covenants can only be fulfilled through Jesus.  The first time Jesus came in flesh, the Jews rejected Him as their Messiah and King, but during the Tribulation, they will see the signs of Jesus' return, and as a nation, they will believe!  In their salvation, there is "obedience".  This is when Jesus will come again- in might, strength and glory- to bring physical peace and justice to the earth.  Jesus will sit on the throne of David, and fulfill the promises of land, seed and blessings.

Meanwhile, the first time Jesus came, He established the new covenant with all people, paying the price for all sins (past, present and future), for all people (past, present and future).  When we put our faith in the Lord Jesus, He forgives our sins, covering us with His righteousness, which leads us into obedience.  Jesus becomes our King for all eternity.  And our promised land is heaven.  Our "seed" is the good deeds that are done in the Lord's love, strength and guidance, all to His glory.  And our blessings are what God has done, is doing, and will do in our lives.  This includes the spiritual peace that we experience in Him....

(Hebrews 13:20-21) 20 Now may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, that is, Jesus our Lord, 21 equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

In our salvation, immediately, we receive the Lord's indwelling Holy Spirit, who guides us.  Jesus is our Great Shepherd, and we are His sheep!  As well, Jesus tells us that He is the Bread of life.  He nourishes us, not only physically, mentally and emotionally, but spiritually.  So it was fitting that He was laid in a manger!

It was also fitting that God sent His angels with this great news to these shepherds!  LOWLY shepherds, though, which demonstrates to us that God is not prejudiced!  He loves all people.  Even those who are outcasts, and hated by society, like these shepherds, who because of their work, kept them from participating in the religious activities of their communities.  Interestingly though, because this was close to Jerusalem, some scholars speculate that these particular shepherds could have been looking after the sheep belonging to the temple, meant for sacrificing.  In any case, sheep were used in the sacrificial system to (temporarily) pay for sin.

(John 1:35-36)  35 Again the next day John (the Baptist) was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and he looked at Jesus as He walked, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!”

Jesus had come in flesh, not just to walk in our shoes, but take onto Himself all the suffering and punishment that we all deserve, and die in our place, so that anyone who believes, can have a personal relationship with Him, and with that, eternal life.  The following passage is a prophecy that is still to happen.  After the rapture, when the Lord catches up all believers of all time, to be in heaven with Him, the Lamb of God will continue with the last set of seven years left in the Jewish Age, which will be followed by the Millennial kingdom, when all covenants will be fulfilled.

It's not about the do's and don'ts - it's about relationship - and it's very personal...

(Revelation 5:4-10) 

Then I began to weep greatly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. 5 And one of the elders said to me, “Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to be able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

6 And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slaughtered, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 And He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. 8 When He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying,

“Worthy are You to take the scroll and to break its seals; for You were slaughtered, and You purchased people for God with Your blood from every tribe, language, people, and nation. 10 You have made them into a kingdom and priests to our God, and they will reign upon the earth.”