❖ Video
❖ Audio
God’s Commitment Revealed Through Jesus’ Birth
Luke 2:1-14
Mari Ikeda
A. Why it had to be Bethlehem (1-7)
1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
1. Joseph and Mary had to follow the orders of the emperor
2. God had not forgotten the ancient promise even if people had
Micah 5:2 “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.”
B. Why it had to be a manger (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.”
1. it because there was no other place?
2. Jesus, who was wrapped in cloths and laid in a manger, would one day be wrapped in cloths and buried.
Summary
God came into the world as Jesus, having chosen Joseph and Mary who were poor and lowly. The newborn Jesus was placed in a manger for his first bed. God himself became a small, powerless human being. Human society is full of situations that we feel are unreasonable and yet we are compelled to follow even though we have doubts and questions. In those times, we feel small and powerless, but God’s unchanging love is still at work in our world.
For Discussion
- Why did God insist on Bethlehem?
- What can we learn about God’s love through Jesus lying in a manger?