Luke 2

Luke 2:1

One of my favorite phrases in all of Scriptures is this one. Whatever you may be facing presently will pass. Known as Gaius Octavius, he was a seemingly successful and powerful ruler. After all, the Gates of Janusopened only in time of warhad been closed for years due to the Pax Romanaa forced peace brought about after the Roman army bludgeoned her enemies into bloody submission. In light of his position in the known world, Octavius decided he needed a new titlesomething more elevated than even king or dictatora name that implied divinity, a name like Caesar AugustusCaesar the August One. Caesar, “the August One,” decreed that everyone return to their homeland to be taxed, little realizing he was simply fulfilling the prophecy of Mic_5:2, which declared that Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. Where else would the Son of David be born but in Bethlehem, the city of David? Where else would the Bread of Life be born but in Bethlehem, the House of Bread? Yes, Caesar made the proclamation, but God ordained the plan.

Luke 2:2

On the basis of this parenthetical note, history validates the time and place of Jesus’ birth.

Luke 2:3

These sheep outside of Bethlehem were most likely the sheep owned by the priests and used for sacrifices in the temple ministry. Because the shepherds who kept watch over them would not have been able to enter into the temple to receive cleansing, they would have been considered unclean. But who are the first to hear of Jesus’ birth? The unclean ones, the outcasts, us.

Luke 2:9

The angel brought good tidings of great joy not only for Israel, not only for evangelicals, not only for Republicans, but for all people collectively, for each one individually.

Luke 2:11

Swaddling clothes were strips of cloth similar to those used in the embalming process. In other words, swaddling clothes were essentially grave clothes. This was fitting because Jesus came to die. Although death interrupted the ministry and teaching of Socrates, Plato, Buddha, and every philosopher and thinker throughout history, it did not interrupt the ministry of Jesus Christ. Rather, death fulfilled Jesus’ ministry because Jesus alone came to die.

Luke 2:13

Linguistically, the meaning of this first Christmas carol is, “Peace on earth towards men of good will,” toward men who are in God’s will. “This is the will of God,” Jesus said, “that you believe on Him whom the Father hath sent” (see Joh_6:29). If you believe on Him whom the Father hath sent, you will indeed be one who, regardless of what’s happening around you externally, will experience a peace in your heart internally. Don’t let anyone take that peace from you by implying that you should be doing more or trying harder. Instead, say, “Thank You, Lord, for the Good News of great joy that unto me is born a Savior. I embrace this, and I thank You for the peace I experience not because of what I’ve done, but because of what You did in coming to earth to die for me.” I never tire of talking about the simplicity of the gospel because I have discovered that it is constantly being challenged. Perhaps even subconsciously, we find ourselves saying, “It can’t be that simple. Surely I am supposed to do something, to earn something, to prove something.” But such is not the case. “It is finished,” Jesus declared on the Cross (Joh_19:30). Therefore, all that remains for us to do is to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength in response to the goodness, grace, and lovingkindness He pours out upon us.

Luke 2:15

Once you see Emmanuel, God with Us, wrapped in swaddling clothes as the One who came to die for you, you can’t help but do what the shepherds did. You can’t help but spread the word.

Luke 2:18

According to Leviticus 12, forty days after birth, the firstborn male was to be dedicated totally and completely to the purposes and service of the Lord.

Luke 2:24

Lev_12:6 states specifically that a lamb was to be brought as a sacrifice of purification, unless one was very poor. In that case, two turtledoves would be sacrificed. Mary and Joseph brought turtledoves not because they didn’t love God, but because they were poor. Although according to prosperity teaching, based upon their financial standing, Mary and Joseph must have had a substandard walk with God because they were poor people. Yet Scripture knows nothing of hat kind of theology.

Luke 2:25

Tradition says Simeon was one hundred thirteen years old. Certainly, there is reason to believe that he was well over one hundred years old. The word “just” means “dependable.” The word “devout” means “devotional.” What a combination. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if it could be said of us that we are dependable with people and devotional toward God? Such was the case with our brother Simeon. When you look at Simeon carefully, you see a man of sensitivity. Simeon believed the whisper of the Holy Ghost in his heart that said he would not die until he saw his Messiah. Not only was Simeon a man of sensitivity, but he was also a man of flexibility. When told he would see the Messiah, images of pomp and splendor must have filled his imagination as he thought of One who was sure to throw off the yoke of Roman oppression as He entered the city of Jerusalem astride a powerful white stallion. But when Simeon followed the tugging of the Spirit into the temple, what did he see? A poor young carpenter, a teenage mother, and a tiny Baby. Yet Simeon was miraculously able to change his mental picture and perceive by faith that the Baby was indeed Messiah.

Luke 2:33

A man of sensitivity, a man of flexibility, Simeon was also a man of honesty. “Mary,” he said, “your soul will be pierced.” And indeed it was… “Don’t you know I must be about My Father’s business?” Jesus would ask her, the implication being that His relationship with His Father was more important than His relationship to her (see Luk_2:49). “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?” Jesus would ask, the implication being that she was no more important to Him than were His disciples (see Mat_12:48). “Woman, behold thy son!” she would hear her Son say as He bled and died on the rough wooden Cross of Calvary (Joh_19:26).

Luke 2:36

After losing her husband, Anna could have become bitter. Instead, she became better and blessed. Rather than simply becoming old and fatigued, she kept about her such a high degree of vitality and spirituality that she was chosen singularly of all women to be the prophetess who recognized Jesus as Messiah. Why? I believe the text gives us three reasons… Anna prayed to the Lord. She didn’t give herself over to bemoaning her loss. Rather, she said, “I’m going to use my single state as an opportunity to give myself to God completely and wholeheartedly.” Anna looked for the Lord. Like Simeon, she lived in the anticipation of the coming Messiah. Anna talked about the Lord. Not only did she worship like Simeon, but she spoke of Him to all that looked for redemption. So, too, if I am truly worshiping, I cannot help but witness and talk to people about the Lord.

Luke 2:39

Although different legends and hypotheses exist concerning the boyhood of Jesus, the single incident given to us in Scripture is the one that follows…

Luke 2:41

When people traveled to the festivals in Jerusalem, they would do so as a community en masse, with the women and children leading the way in order that none would be left behind. I think there’s something in that for us to consider in the realm of church life, as we must not leave behind any who are younger in age or younger in the Lord on our journey toward heaven. However, thinking Jesus was traveling with His cousins or other members of the extended family, Mary and Joseph were unaware He had remained in Jerusalem. Under the inspiration of the Spirit, Luke is careful to refer to Mary as Jesus’ mother, but not to Joseph as His father.

Luke 2:44

Mary and Joseph came from the Passoverwhich spoke directly of Jesus, the Passover Lambbut they didn’t perceive He wasn’t with them. I wonder how often we leave our own times of worship on Sundays or Wednesdays, supposing Jesus to be with us, but in reality, our hearts are far from Him.

Luke 2:45

When you feel out of touch with Jesus, when you wonder where He is, it’s always a good idea to do what Mary and Joseph did: Go back to the place where you saw Him last. “Remember from whence thou art fallen,” Jesus would say to the church at Ephesus. “Repent and do your first works again” (see Rev_2:5). In other words, when did you most clearly perceive the presence of Jesus? What were you doing? Were you up early in the morning? Was Bible study a priority? Were you worshiping passionately? What were you doing when you were really in touch with Jesus? Go back and do it again.

Luke 2:46

Three days speaks of Resurrection. Like Mary and Joseph, the disciples thought they had lost Jesus (Luk_24:21). Like Mary and Joseph, the women at the tomb did not know where to find Him (Joh_20:13). But unlike Mary and Joseph, after three days, they didn’t find HimHe found them (Joh_20:19). The word “doctors” speaks of the rabbis, theologians, and scholars. Because Mary referred to Joseph as His father, Jesus will give a reminder to His mother…

Luke 2:49

Here, Jesus reminds Mary that He must be about His heavenly Father’s business. The word “must” appears two more times in Luke’s Gospelonce in chapter 4, when Jesus said, “I must preach…to other cities also,” and once in chapter 9, when He said, “The Son of man must suffer many things…and be slain.” There are lots of options in life. But for Jesus, there were only three musts: His Father’s business, preaching the Good News, and offering Himself on the Cross.

Luke 2:50

I wonder how often Joseph and Mary didn’t have a clue as to what Jesus was talking about. Notice that Jesus rarely gave explanations about His statements. He simply let them stand, never feeling a need to prove His point. Sadly, such is not the case with me. I want people to see things my way, and I’ll press my point until they do!

Luke 2:51

The more mature and secure a person is, the easier submission is for him. Therefore, because Jesus knew what He was about, because He was secure in who He was, even though He knew infinitely more than Mary and Joseph, He was able to submit to them. The underlying principle of submission is not how much one knows, but who one is becoming. Therefore, even if you know more than they do, if you are wise, you will submit to your parents, your employer, and your leaders because submission is not a matter of the right decision. It’s a matter of becoming the right person.

Luke 2:52

Jesus increased in wisdom and favor with God and man. Such is the fruit of submission.