The Gospel Series Part Three

Circumstances of Jesus' birth explained to Joseph (Mt 1:18-25)

Mt 1:19 "Her husband" - not yet married, but still legally bound, he did not want her to be stoned (the penalty for adultery), but wanted "to put her away secretly"

Mt 1:22 Nothing is by accident in God's kingdom.

Mt 1:23 A quote from Isaiah 7:14. There is some debate about how that passage should be translated. Some translate instead of "virgin", "young woman" or "maiden", saying the Hebrew could mean either. But is a young woman bearing a child really a sign? In any event, Matthew says virgin here, so it should clear up any possible misunderstanding of the Isaiah passage. Once again, the Bible comments on itself.

Mt 1:24-25 Joseph did as he was commanded.

Lesson : What is Love?

For a moment, put yourself in Joseph's position. The person to whom you've been engaged just says they're pregnant by the Holy Spirit. Keep in mind God has been silent for over 400 years.

What would you say?

Would you believe it?

How would you handle it?

To answer those questions, we must ask another.

What is the defining characteristic of a Christian?

Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 13 (Love). But what exactly is the love he is talking about? We can talk of greek words (agape, agapao), but the essence is simple:

Love is a commitment, not an emotion.

Today our culture has this completely wrong. We believe in love "if", as in

Instead of the Biblical (agapao) image of love "even if"

What is the difference? The first list is temporary - the car gets old, we all get old, we go from boom to bust. But the second is a list of commitment. People just don't honor their commitments anymore, and anyone who does is considered a dinosaur. The attitude for today is get a lawyer and sue. After all, you have rights. Friends? Only good for what you can get from them. Spouses? When you're tired of them get a new one. Jesus' words "It is more blessed to give than to receive." (Acts 20:35) have no meaning today.

But the Bible has a different idea. To a person who loves God the situation is much different. Love means several things. First, it is not to be in words only (1 John 3:18). Tragically, even in the Church today we have abandoned the idea of commitment. Why do we have so many counselors, psychologists, and programs of various kinds? The Church is not doing its job. We are to support and be committed to our brothers and sisters (John 15:12-13, Eph 4:1-3, 1 John 3:11, 16-17). Yes, sometimes it is inconvenient. No one really likes to be woken up in the middle of the night by someone calling with a problem. To get out of bed at that time is never fun. But if we claim to follow after Jesus, we have no choice (I John 2:6). His example demands we be committed, not only to Him but also to our brothers and sisters. The words of James fall on deaf ears "Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin." (James 4:17)

Second, it provides assurance we are actually Christians (1 John 3:14-15). Perhaps one of the most common questions is "How do I know I am saved?" John says love for the brethren is one way.

But instead of love and commitment, service for others, caring and sharing, what do we see?

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, (2 Timothy 3:1-2)

By this we know we are in the last days, just look around, all we see is about ourselves. This is the foundation of all advertising - look good, appeal to yourself, don't worry about others. But the Bible says to die to self and serve God and others (John 13:12-15, Matt 16:24). Jesus first, Others second, Yourself last is JOY. To put yourself first is YOJ, and I don't even know what a YOJ is.

But back to Joseph. Joseph was truly committed to Mary. He understood the meaning of commitment.

Birth of Jesus (Lk 2:1-7)

Lk 2:1 "registered" - for taxes. Not much has changed in 2,000 years.

Lk 2:2 Some doubt about exactly when this might be. "First" can also mean prior or before.[1] These events would have been common knowledge in Luke's day, even though the specific details have been lost to us.

Lk 2:7 Our traditional view of the manger is wrong. It was actually a feeding trough for farm animals.

Lesson: Jesus' Example for Us

Our traditional view of Jesus' birth does not always fit the facts. From the Magi to the clean, sterile environment we see pictured at Christmas is frequently wrong. A manger was not some nice, clean crib we see pictured. Instead it was a feeding trough for farm animals. Perhaps even unclean animals such as pigs!

But this brings up a point we will see throughout Jesus' whole life. Right from the start, we see his example for us. God could have just as easily been flashy and provided a castle for his Son to be born in, complete with divine skywriting to announce his birth, but that wouldn't be an example for us. That would be prideful. Jesus' whole life is an example for us. We learn how to love, what sacrifice means, what meekness is (it isn't weakness), dedication to the will of the Father, and many other examples.

Sometimes we forget Jesus was not only fully God, but also fully man. He got hungry, tired, felt betrayal, temptation and everything else we do. That is the reason he can relate to us.

Witness of the shepherds (Lk 2:8-20)

Lk 2:8 Shepherds were outcasts of society, scorned by many. God here uses people other people would shun to be the first to know of His Son's birth.

Lk 2:9 Once again, we see fear and surprise at the sudden appearance of an angel.

Lk 2:10-12 The promised Messiah they've been waiting for.

Lk 2:19 In spite of the angel's message to her previously, she had to still be confused about these events. After all, she had no idea what to expect.

Circumcision of Jesus (Lk 2:21)

Lk 2:21 "eighth day" - eight is the number of new beginning.

Jesus presented in the Temple (Lk 2:22-38)

Lk 2:22-24 In Leviticus 12:6-8 we see the required sacrifices. By the offering of two pigeons instead of the lamb, we can infer Mary and Joseph were poor.

Lk 2:33 More evidence Mary still didn't fully comprehend the significance of Jesus.

Return to Nazareth (Lk 2:39)

Visit of the Magi (Mt 2:1-12)

This visit occurs after Luke 2:39, when they are back in Nazareth. It may be Jesus was almost 2 years old at this point.[2] (This explains why Herod would kill all the children under 2 years). The traditional view of the manger scene with the three wise men is wrong. There is no evidence there were only 3, and since travel was dangerous during those times, more likely a caravan was in town. Thus all Jerusalem was troubled (Mt 2:3).

"wise men" are Magi. They were commonly magicians, astrologers and interpreters of dreams. "From the east" could mean from Persia, where 500 years earlier they would have come across a man by the name of Daniel, during his captivity in Babylon.[3] We do know while Daniel was captive, his job description was similar, since when Nebuchadnezzar had his troubling dream in Daniel chapter two, the wise men of Babylon could not interpret it, thus Nebuchadnezzar put out a decree to kill them all, including Daniel (Daniel 1:12-13). But revealed to Daniel was the exact day the Messiah would come (Daniel 9:25), so it is possible these Magi were looking for the event.

Mt 2:1-2 "born King" - A put down of sorts on Herod. Herod obtained his rule by political trickery, but the Magi were seeking someone who obtained his authority by birth.

"star" - as astronomers, they would know this star was not a natural one.

Mt 2:3 Rome's mission was peace at any price. Any uprising would be squashed. When a large caravan of foreigners appears (seeking a king) the population of Jerusalem would be understandably nervous Rome would take a sudden interest in their area, and respond with an increase military presence.

Mt 2:4-6 The details of Jesus' birth were detailed in the Old Testament, and were well known. It's strange for people who were obviously knowledgeable about the scriptures to miss other, more obvious signs of Jesus' Messiahship. But intellectual knowledge of the Bible is no substitute for the insight the Holy Spirit gives us. More reliable is a sixth-grader who is filled with the spirit, than all those "Jesus seminar" guys with Ph.D.'s who claim to know what Jesus really said and meant.

Mt 2:7-8 Herod's plan was to kill the child; he was lying.

Mt 2:11 Three gifts (not, as the little child says, gold, Frankenstein and Smurfs!)

Gold - represents Diety

Frankincense - Used by the priests

Myrrh - Used for burial.

Thus, the gifts represent the gifts of a King, priest, and prophet. There are no accidents in God's kingdom.

Mt 2:12 "in a dream" - They would naturally understand this type of message

Flight into Egypt (Mt 2:13-18)

God was aware of Herod's plan and provided a means for His Son to escape. God is always aware of what lies ahead, and provides for his children.

New home in Nazareth (Mt 2:19-23)

Mt 2:22 When Herod died, his area was broken up into three sections and each section was given to one of his sons. Archelaus was a feared, brutal ruler. But he didn't last long and was replaced by Rome.

Mt 2:23 Nazareth was an obscure, little town. As Nathanael said, "Can any good come from Nazareth?" (John 1:46)

Growth and early life of Jesus (Lk 2:40)

Jesus' first Passover in Jerusalem (Lk 2:41-50)

Lk 2:41 Passover was required attendance for all able-bodied Jews. They would have made this journey many times already.

Lk 2:46 3 days? An interesting length of time...

Lk 2:47 They had no idea who he really was.

Lk 2:49 Not necessarily a disrespectful response, but genuine wondering why they didn't understand his mission.

Jesus' adolescence and early manhood (Lk 2:51-52)

Lk 2:52 Mary still didn't fully understand.

[1] NIV Bible Commentary Volume 2: New Testament page 217

[2] Courson, Jon Matthew chapter 1-13 page 27

[2] Courson, Jon Matthew chapter 1-13 page 20

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The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9 KJV)