Sermon No. 3177: Christ Seen as God's Salvation
Exposition: LUKE 2:1-40.
Verses 1-9. And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria). And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, (because he was of the house and lineage of David), to be taxed with Mary, his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her first-born Son and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country, shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them and the Glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sorely afraid. These men were probably poor and illiterate, but that did not hinder God from revealing Himself to them, nor prevent the coming of His Son to them! They were engaged in their ordinary calling, "keeping watch over their flocks by night," when this great blessing came to them. Seldom does such a blessing as this come to idlers. It was not while they were gadding abroad and wasting their time, but while they kept watch over their flocks that "the angel of the Lord came upon them." First one angel led the way and then a multitude of the heavenly host followed and these poor men, perhaps troubled with the common superstition of the Jews that the appearance of God, or any supernatural visitation, would always be followed by death, "were sorely afraid."
10, 11. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of greatjoy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. The anointed Savior has full power to save, for He "is Christ the Lord" and, therefore, He is able to save unto the uttermost all that come unto God by Him.
12. And this shall be a sign unto you—You shall find the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger [See
Sermons #1026, Volume 17—JOY BORN AT BETHLEHEM and #1330, Volume 22—THE GREAT BIRTHDAY] Not in marble halls, wrapped in purple and fine linen and welcomed by the great and mighty of earth! No, this greatest of all princes is born amid the poverty of our ordinary manhood! He is One chosen out of the people, the people's Savior—and a manger receives the people's King.
13. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising Go. They could not stay behind! The news spread through Heaven that an angel had gone to announce the birth of Christ and the others flew through the pearly gates and hastened to overtake the herald—and reached him just as he had concluded his message— "Suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host." These cohorts of the Lord came riding post haste, Praising God.
13-17. And saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into Heaven, the shepherds said, one to another, let us now go even unto Bethlehem and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord has made known unto us. And they came with haste and found Mary, and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this Child. Good news is not to be kept to ourselves. When we have ascertained its truth we are to tell it to others, and we are especially to tell the goodness of salvation! Tell it, O you who know it in your own hearts by blessed experience! Tell it, though it will sometimes be with broken accents in the feebleness of your flesh, yet even then tell it in the ardor of your heart's affection and God will bless your testimony—and others will learn the Good News through you.
18, 19. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them Weighed them, estimated them at their right value.
19. In her heart. The best of coffers to lay up anything in is the heart! Happy are those who, like Mary, store up the things of Christ, not in their brain, though that would make them orthodox—but in their heart—for that will bring them salvation!
20-24. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the Child, His name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before He was conceived in the womb. And when the days of her purification according to the Law of Moses were accomplished, they brought Him to Jerusalem, to present Him to the Lord; (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord) and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the Law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. Our Savior put Himself under the Law for our sakes and in every jot and tittle He observed it. So we are delivered from its dominion, for if Christ has fulfilled the Law on our account, it has no more claim upon us. "You are not under the Law, but under
Grace."
25. And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. [See Sermon #659, Volume 11—SIMEON] And the same man was just and devou. This combination makes up a complete character—"just" towards man—"devout" towards God. There are many who think they are just, but their justness does not extend to their fellow creatures, and they forget the claims of the Most High upon them. On the other hand, I have known men who have pretended to a vast amount of devotion, but who have never been just. Such persons are hypocrites, as the others are robbers of God! But he who is just and devout—just towards man and devout towards God— has the character of a true man! Such was Simeon, "just and devout."
25-29. Waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Spirit, that he shouldnot see death before he hadseen the Lord's Christ. Andhe came by the Spirit into the Temple: and when the parents brought in the Child, Jesus, to do for Him after the custom of the Law, then he took Him up in his arms and blessed God, and said, Lord, now let You Your servant depart inpeace, according to Your word. You see, dear Friends, he was not afraid to die and he knew that he could not die until he had seen the Messiah! Some of us, if we had a Revelation that on the occurrence of a certain event, we would die, might be filled with alarm or anxiety! But it is not so with holy Simeon—he rather longs to depart in peace. He looks upon the coming of "the Lord's Christ" with great joy because now he knows the battle of life for him will soon be over and that he will enter into his victory!
30-34. For my eyes have seen Your Salvation, which You have prepared before the face of all people; a Light to lighten the Gentiles, and the Glory of the people Israel And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken ofHim. AndSimeon blessed them andsaid unto Mary, His mother, Behold, this Childis set for the fall and rising again of many in Israe. [See Sermon #907, Volume 15—CHRIST—THE RISE AND FALL OF MANY] There were many who fell through their offenses against Jesus, but blessed be His name, there are still many who rise through Him, rise first to newness of life on earth and afterwards to resurrection life in Glory! Jesus is set for both—He must be to one the savor of death unto death, and to another He must be the savor of life unto life.
34. And for a sign which shall be spoken against How true has this been! The Cross has been to many a stumbling block, and to the worldly wise it has been foolishness. And so will it be to the world's end!
35. (Yes, a sword shall pierce through your own soul, also) Great privileges often involve great troubles. Mary was highly favored and truly blessed among women, yet no woman ever had greater sorrow than she had!
35. That the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. Christ's death revealed the thoughts of many hearts. It revealed the thoughts in the heart of Pilate, that he loved popularity better than the Truth of God. It revealed the thoughts of the heart of Judas, that he loved gold better than he loved his Master. It revealed the thoughts in the heart of Caia-phas, that he would keep to old customs rather than to the right. It revealed the thoughts in the hearts of the disciples and showed what poor timid, trembling hearts they had. Peter's impulsive spirit, too, was revealed in all its weakness by the death of the Savior. The Cross is the great touchstone! Wherever it goes, it tests and tries us—even as the crucible tries the metal that is put into it—and lets us know what manner of men we are. Do you love Christ? Do you glory in His Cross? Then it is well with you. But do you despise the Cross? Do you set up your own righteousness in opposition to it? Are you depending upon anything beside Jesus Christ and Him crucified? Then His Cross reveals you to be self-righteous and dead in trespasses and sins! Our Savior was not only to be received by men, but He was to be welcomed by women also, so now we read.
36-40. And there was one Anna, a Prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age and had lived with her husband seven years from her virginity; and she was a widow of about 84 years, which departed not from the Temple, but served God with fasting and prayers night and day. And she coming in that instant, gave thanks, likewise, unto the Lord, and spoke of Him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. And when they had performed all things according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. And the Child grew and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the Grace of God was upon Him.