Tuesday, February 23
Read Luke 2
Think About It:
The first announcement of the Messiah’s birth was given by an angel to some anonymous shepherds. But why shepherds? Why not to the priests or scribes? By visiting the shepherds, the angel revealed the grace of God for mankind. Shepherds were really outcast in Israel. Their work not only made them ceremonially unclean, but it kept them away from the temple for weeks at a time so that they could not be made clean. God does not call the rich and the mighty; He calls the poor and the lowly. The Messiah came to be both the Good Shepherd and the Lamb of God that was sacrificed for the sins of the world. It was fitting that the good news about God’s Shepherd and Lamb be given first to humble shepherds.
First, one angel appeared and gave that glad announcement, and then a chorus of angels joined him, and gave an anthem of praise. For the first time in centuries, the Glory of God returned to the earth!!!
Fear not! I bring you tidings of great joy! What was the good news? Not that God had sent a soldier or a judge or a reformer, but that He had sent a Savior to meet man’s greatest needs. The Jewish word “shalom” (peace) means much more than a truce in the battles of life. It means well-being, prosperity, security, soundness, and completeness.
Dr. Luke tells us about three important meetings in the temple in Jerusalem: the day the child, Jesus, met the law of Moses, Simeon, and Anna. Law is used five times in Luke 2:21-46. Though He came to deliver His people from the bondage of the law, Jesus was made “under the law” and obeyed its commands. He did not come to destroy the law, but to fulfill it.
Simeon praised and then started prophesying, and in his message used three important images: the stone, the sign, and the sword.
The stone is an important old testament image of God. Messiah would be a “rejected cornerstone” and the nation of Israel would stumble over Him. And yet, Jesus is the rock of our salvation.
The word ‘sign’ means “a miracle”. Not so much as a demonstration of power but as a revelation of divine truth. Our Lord’s miracles in John’s gospel are called “signs” because they reveal special truths about Him.
The image of the sword was for Mary alone, and it spoke of the suffering in sorrow she would bear as the mother of the Messiah. The Greek word means a large sword such as Goliath used, and the verb means “constantly keep on piercing.”
Anna’s name means “grace” and she was a Godly widow of great age. She devoted herself to “serving God by worship” and fasting and praying. She moved from the tribe of Asher and remained in the temple, waiting for the appearing of God’s promised Messiah. When she walked in, her praise joined Simeon. But Anna did much more than sing; she also spread the good news among other faithful members of the “remnant” who were waiting for the redemption of Israel. The excitement began to spread—more and more people heard the good news.
When Jesus was left behind and found in the Temple, Mary’s loving rebuke brought a respectful but astonished reply from Jesus: “Why is it that you are looking for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?” It can also be translated “in the things of My Father,” but the idea is the same, Jesus was affirming His divine sonship and His mission to do the will of the Father.
The word “must” is most often on our Lord’s lips: “I must preach” (Luke 4:43); “the Son of Man must suffer” (Luke 9:22); “the Son of Man must be lifted up” (John 3:14). Even at the age of 12, Jesus was moved by a divine compulsion to do the Fathers will.
Family Time:
- What are some events that happened in Bethlehem?
- What promise did God make about Bethlehem?
- Why did Mary and Joseph have to travel there?
- Who can you share the Good News with?
