Mari Ikeda
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❖ Audio
God Came To This World So Silently (Luke 2:8-16)
– From the Christian hymn”Oh Little Town of Bethlehem”
A. The fulfilled prophesy (Micah 5:2, Matthew 2:6)
(Micah5:2) “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”
(Matthew 5:6)“‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
B. It started silently (Luke 2:8-14)
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
1. The light shining in the night
2. The shepherds were given the news
3. Is the Savior a baby?!
C. Departing to look for Jesus (Luke 2:15-16)
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.
Summary
Jesus was born on one night 2000 years ago in a little town of Bethlehem. It meant that God came to this world as a baby sleeping in a poor manger, surrounded by a few lowly people, on a silent night in a little town. Let us also look for Jesus, find Him and rejoice in Him, who enters our very smallness and weakness.
For Discussion
What does it mean for us to look for Jesus? How can we meet with Him? How can we rejoice in Him?