Luke 2:1-7
The account of the birth of Jesus Christ was contained within a historical context. Luke recorded the names of Caesar Augustus, and Cyrenias. He described the Roman tax edict which forced people to relocate temporarily to their hometown. Through this movement of the government the Lord fulfilled his word that the Lord Jesus would be born in the city of Bethlehem. The King of kings and Lord of lords was born in a stable and laid in a manger. This was how God decided he would be born into the world. As a babe in a manger. This revealed something fundamental about the character and nature of God.
It also shows us that the kingdom of God is radically different from the world system we live in. The world system is based upon the names of men who make themselves famous. They exalt their own names and in this way control other men. They force men to submit to their names and the more people they bring under their name the more power (provision, protection, and portion) they create. This is the way of Satan.
The way of the Lord Jesus is completely opposite. The kingdom of God is not based on the pride of life. It is based on humility and love. Read Philippians chapter 2 to see a description of the humility of the Lord Jesus.
When we truly understand this principle it reveals the stark contrast between the Lord Jesus and the way churches, businesses, and our daily lives are conducted in this world. We are far, far away from the kingdom of God in this current world system.
This world is passing away. The Lord Jesus came into this world as a babe in a manger, and when he grew up he told others he had no place to lay his head. Those who followed him became like him. They lose more and more of this world but gain more and more of the kingdom of God.
There was no room for them in the inn. This summarized the attitude of most people toward the Lord Jesus. They did not make any room for him in their lives. Yet he was the most important person who ever lived on this planet. He was greater than any king or president or celebrity who ever lived. Why can't people understand this? Because they have made their agreement with Satan and he blinded their eyes to the truth of the majesty and greatness of the Lord Jesus Christ. Their agreement with Satan blinded their eyes and they could not see the Lord Jesus Christ.
Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ is saved. Christ died for our sins, he was buried, and he rose again on the third day. Believe in your heart that God raised Jesus Christ from the dead, and confess with your mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord and you will be saved. Saved from self, saved from sin, saved from the devil, saved from this world system, and saved from a lake of fire.
Luke 2:8-21
Angels from heaven appeared to a group of shepherds in a field at night. The shepherds were terrified but the angels told them not to be afraid because they brought good news of the birth of the Messiah. The angels told the shepherds where to find the newborn Messiah. The sign to look for was a baby lying in a manger. Notice how much was made of the fact that the King of the Universe was born in a stable and laid in a manger. God was drawing attention to his character and his nature. Who is God? Look at this lowly stable and manger and behold the God of the Universe.
The shepherds did what the angels said and found the Lord Jesus lying in the manger. They told everyone in that area about what they saw, heard, and experienced regarding the Lord Jesus Christ. This was normal for anyone who had truly come into contact with the Lord Jesus Christ.
Joseph and Mary circumcised Jesus on the eighth day according to the law and gave him the name Jesus. He was given the name Jesus by the angel Gabriel before he was conceived, just like John the Baptist.
God knows our name. Many people say that they know their Lord Jesus, but does Jesus know them? Does he know their name?
Christ died for our sins, he was buried, and he rose from the dead on the third day. Everyone who calls upon the name of Jesus is saved. He is returning again to receive us unto himself that where he is we may be also. May the Lord Jesus return quickly to this earth and establish his kingdom over all the nations of the earth.
