July 28, 2013
Today’s Passage:
Luke 2:8-20
(Please read if you
have not done so)
“While they were there, the time came for the baby to
be born, 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.”
(Luke 2:6-7)
“But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son…”
(Galatians
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
though4:4a)
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.” (Micah 5:2)
“While they were there, the time came for the baby to
be born, 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.”
(Luke 2:6-7)
“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby,
keeping watch over their flocks at night.” (Luke 2:8)
“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you…”
(Luke 2:11a)
What does this passage teach us about this Savior?
1) The extent of the Savior’s salvation.
By Jesus’ time, Jews hated shepherds because they were near
the bottom of the social ladder. Shepherds were mostly
uneducated and unskilled. They were viewed as dishonest,
unreliable and because of that, not allowed to testify in court.
Because of the constant care sheep required, shepherds
couldn’t keep all the rites and rituals required by the Law, so
they were viewed as being constantly ritually unclean.
1) The extent of the Savior’s salvation.
“I bring you good news that will cause
great joy for all the people.” (Luke 2:10b)
“…all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” (Genesis 12:3b)
“I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my
salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” (Isaiah 49:6b)
“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” (Mark 16:15)
1) The extent of the Savior’s salvation.
2) The identity of the Savior.
“…He is Christ, the Lord.” (Luke 2:11b)
κύριος (kyrios) – “Lord”
▪ he to whom a person or thing belongs.
▪ one who has control of the person, the master.
▪ the sovereign, prince, chief, king.
1) The extent of the Savior’s salvation.
2) The identity of the Savior.
“…He is Christ, the Lord.” (Luke 2:11b)
my else,
strength
and myis defense;
“Salvation is“The
foundLord
in noisone
for there
no other name under
he tohasmankind
becomebymywhich
salvation.”
(Exodus
15:2)(Acts 4:12)
heaven given
we must
be saved.”
“…and, once made perfect, he became the source of
“I will give you thanks, for you answered me;
eternal salvation for all who obey him.” (Hebrews 5:9)
you have become my salvation.” (Psalm 118:21)
1) The extent of the Savior’s salvation.
2) The identity of the Savior.
“Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under
“Suddenly
company
the saying:
heavenly host
the
earth and ona thegreat
sea, and
all that is of
in them,
appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
sits highest
on the throne
and to the(Luke
Lamb2:13-14b)
be
‘Glory‘To
tohim
Godwho
in the
heaven…’”
praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!’”
(Revelation 5:13)
1) The extent of the Savior’s salvation.
2) The identity of the Savior.
3) What does this Savior’s salvation consist of?
δόξα ἐν ὑψίστοις θεῷ καὶ ἐπὶ
γῆς εἰρήνη ἐν ἀνθρώποις εὐδοκίας
“…on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”
(Luke 2:14b NIV 1984)
“…on earth peace, good will toward men.” (Luke 2:14b KJV)
“…on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
(Luke 2:14b NIV 2011)
“…on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
(Luke 2:14b ESV)
“Glory to God in heaven and peace to people
on earth who please him.” (Luke 2:14b JKV)
“…on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”
(Luke 2:14b NIV 1984)
εἰρήνη (eirene) – “peace”
▪ a state of tranquility.
▪ accord between individuals, harmony.
▪ the state of a soul assured of its salvation.
1) The extent of the Savior’s salvation.
2) The identity of the Savior.
3) What does this Savior’s salvation consist of?
“He will judge between the nations and will settle
disputes for many peoples. They will beat their
swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning
hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation,
nor will they train for war anymore.” (Isaiah 2:4)
“For he himself is our peace, who has made the two
groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing
wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with
its commands and regulations. His purpose was…to
reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by
which he put to death their hostility. He came and
preached peace to you who were far away and peace to
those who were near. For through him we both have
access to the Father by one Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:14-18)
1) The extent of the Savior’s salvation.
2) The identity of the Savior.
3) What does this Savior’s salvation consist of?
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith,
we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus
Christ…”
(Romans 5:1)
“…on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”
(Luke 2:14b NIV 1984)
εὐδοκία (eudokia) – “goodwill, pleasure, favor”
▪ delight, pleasure, satisfaction.
▪ will, choice.
▪ that which God is pleased to do.
“…through whom we have gained access by faith into
this grace in which we now stand.” (Romans 5:2)
“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you…”
(Luke 2:11a)
“She will give birth to a son, and you are to
give him the name Jesus, because he will save
his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)
“Double Cure” for sin
▪ Guilt – we are saved (justified) from sin’s penalty.
▪ Power – we are saved (sanctified) from sin’s power.
1) The extent of this Savior’s salvation.
2) The identity of this Savior.
3) What does this Savior’s salvation consist of?
4) What is the response to this Savior’s salvation?
“An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of
the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.”
(Luke 2:9)
“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 told us about.’”
(Luke 2:15)
ῥῆμα (rhema) – “thing”
▪ that which is or has been uttered, word.
▪ what one has said.
▪ saying of any sort as a message, a narrative.
1) The extent of this Savior’s salvation.
2) The identity of this Savior.
3) What does this Savior’s salvation consist of?
4) What is the response to this Savior’s salvation?
a) They believed it.
“Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the
message is heard through the word about Christ.” (Romans 10:17)
“So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph,
and the baby, who was lying in the manger.” (Luke
2:16)
σπεύδω speudo) – “hurried, made haste”
▪ to hurry, make haste
▪ to desire earnestly
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
(Jeremiah 29:13)
1) The extent of this Savior’s salvation.
2) The identity of this Savior.
3) What does this Savior’s salvation consist of?
4) What is the response to this Savior’s salvation?
a) They believed it.
“As the body without the
b) They were moved to act. spirit is dead, so faith
without deeds is dead.”
(James 2:26)
“When they had seen him, they spread the word
concerning what had been told them about this child, and
all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to
them.”
(Luke 2:17-18)
1) The extent of this Savior’s salvation.
2) The identity of this Savior.
3) What does this Savior’s salvation consist of?
4) What is the response to this Savior’s salvation?
a) They believed it.
b) They were moved to act.
c) They spread the word.
“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how
can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can
they hear without someone preaching to them?” (Romans 10:14)