The Life of Christ – Lesson 2 The birth of Jesus Presentation in the temple Visit of the wise men Flight to Egypt and return to Jerusalem Jesus’ visit to Jerusalem at age 12 The Life of Christ – Lesson 2

The Birth of Jesus Luke 2:1-20 Time frame – “Those days” – 6 months after the birth of John the Baptist. (Luke 1:5ff) Reign of Caesar Augustus Quirinius was governor of Syria Context – decree issued to take a census (lit. a writing down of an official list) of the “inhabited earth.” “It may have been the first of periodic empire-wide registrations which took place approximately every fourteen years over the next two centuries.” (Caldwell) Purpose was likely for the assessment of taxes (Luke 20:22-25; 23:2) The city of David (polin Dauid) is identified as Bethlehem (bēthleem; “house of bread”). Bethlehem was small but of rich heritage. David’s original family home was there (see 1 Sam. 16:1-13). Rachel died giving birth to Benjamin at Bethlehem (Gen. 35:16-20) and Ruth married Boaz there after moving from Moab with Naomi (Ruth 1-4). Bethlehem was a village located between six and seven miles south of Jerusalem’s temple mount. It was sometimes identified as Bethlehem Ephratah (Mic. 5:2). Today the small city has a population near ten thousand inhabitants and is called Beth Lahm.

The Birth of Jesus (Luke 2:1-20) “Each to his own city …”, Joseph went from Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem in Judea since he was the “house and family of David” (Luke 1:27). 85-90 miles on foot or perhaps by donkey (Mary 9 months pregnant). Did Mary also have to register (verse 5)? Or did she come because Joseph couldn’t leave her alone at this stage of her pregnancy? Regardless, she had to come to fulfill prophecy, (Micah 5:2). Mary also was of the family/lineage of David as we have previously established (Luke 1:27; 3:31). Mary went with Joseph while pregnant obviously close to her “due date.” The city of David (polin Dauid) is identified as Bethlehem (bēthleem; “house of bread”). Bethlehem was small but of rich heritage. David’s original family home was there (see 1 Sam. 16:1-13). Rachel died giving birth to Benjamin at Bethlehem (Gen. 35:16-20) and Ruth married Boaz there after moving from Moab with Naomi (Ruth 1-4). Bethlehem was a village located between six and seven miles south of Jerusalem’s temple mount. It was sometimes identified as Bethlehem Ephratah (Mic. 5:2). Today the small city has a population near ten thousand inhabitants and is called Beth Lahm.

The Birth of Jesus (Luke 2:1-20) “The days were completed for her to give birth” (verse 6) Miraculous conception but birth followed natural processes and time frames from there. More importantly, “the days were completed” should be understood to more than just the completion of the nine month period of a pregnancy. “The days were complete” in terms of God’s promises and prophecies to provide a Messiah who would provide the redemption for man’s sins. Since Genesis 3, man has needed a Savior. Now at the “fullness of time,” the Savior of the world has been born. Galatians 4:4. It was now time for Jesus to humble Himself by taking the form of a bondservant. Philippians 2:8-9; 2 Corinthians 8:9 The city of David (polin Dauid) is identified as Bethlehem (bēthleem; “house of bread”). Bethlehem was small but of rich heritage. David’s original family home was there (see 1 Sam. 16:1-13). Rachel died giving birth to Benjamin at Bethlehem (Gen. 35:16-20) and Ruth married Boaz there after moving from Moab with Naomi (Ruth 1-4). Bethlehem was a village located between six and seven miles south of Jerusalem’s temple mount. It was sometimes identified as Bethlehem Ephratah (Mic. 5:2). Today the small city has a population near ten thousand inhabitants and is called Beth Lahm.

The Birth of Jesus (Luke 2:1-20) Mary wrapped Jesus in “swaddling clothes” (ASV) and laid Him in a manger. Swaddling clothes – large strips of cloth (like large band aids) used to wrap a new born child's body. Manger – a feeding trough for animals. They were staying in a stable. Often such stables were caves. Sometimes a shed of sorts built next to a house. No room for them in the inn – not a hotel like we think about. At best, a guest room in a boarding house. .

The Birth of Jesus (Luke 2:1-20) The shepherds – The angel said: “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Bring you good news: to evangelize. The “gospel” Great joy: does our salvation still bring such joy to us? For all the people: the universal nature of the gospel. .

The Birth of Jesus (Luke 2:1-20) The shepherds – The angel said: “Do not be afraid …” I bring you: Good news of great joy – announce good news, evangelize (Luke 4:42-43; Acts 5:42; Romans 1:15; Galatians 1:8ff; 1 Peter 1:25) For all the people – see verse 32, Matthew 28:19; Luke 24:47 There has been born for you: A Savior – John 4:41-42; Acts 5:30-31; 13:23; Ephesians 5:23 Christ – Messiah – John 7:37-44; Acts 17:1-3; 18:28 The Lord – Luke 6:46; Acts 2:36 Euaggelion is sometimes translated “gospel.” It stands for “good news” or “glad tidings.” The verb form used here, euaggelizomai, means “to gospelize,” “to evangelize,” or “to bring, preach, proclaim or announce good tidings.” Luke 4:42-43 When day came, Jesus left and went to a secluded place; and the crowds were searching for Him, and came to Him and tried to keep Him from going away from them. 43 But He said to them, "I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, afor I was sent for this purpose." Acts 5:42 And every day, in the temple and 1from house to house, they 2kept right on teaching and 3bpreaching Jesus as the 4Christ. 1 Cor 1:17 aFor Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, bnot in 1cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void.