2024年12月22日 / グレース・トロント日本語教会
ルカ2章8-12節
8 さて、その地方で、羊飼いたちが野宿をしながら、羊の群れの夜番をしていた。
9 すると、主の使いが彼らのところに来て、主の栄光が周りを照らしたので、彼らは非常に恐れた。
10 御使いは彼らに言った。「恐れることはありません。見なさい。私は、この民全体に与えられる、大きな喜びを告げ知らせます。
11 今日ダビデの町で、あなたがたのために救い主がお生まれになりました。この方こそ主キリストです。
12 あなたがたは、布にくるまって飼葉桶に寝ているみどりごを見つけます。それが、あなたがたのためのしるしです。」。
Dec 22, 2024 / Grace Toronto Japanese Church
Luke 2:8-12
8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”
CONTEXT
We all know the great Roman politician, Julius Caesar. He had a nephew and his name was Gaius Octavius. Since Julius Caesar didn’t have a child, he adopted his nephew Gaius Octavius as his son. When Julius Caesar was assassinated, Gaius Octavius inherited Julius Caesar’s name and everything. So, his name became Gaius Julius Caesar. And from 32 to 30 BC, there was the War of Actium between Antonius (+Cleopatra) and Gaius Julius Caesar. In this war, Gaius Julius Caesar defeated Antonius, and both Antonius and Cleopatra committed a suicide. When Gaius Julius Caesar returned to Rome as a hero, the Senate gave him a new name, Augustus, which means “blessed man” or “emperor.” He became the most powerful man in Rome, and his full name was now Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus. The Roman Republic (509–27 BC) ended and the Roman Empire (27 BC–AD 476) began with the emperor Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus (27 BC – 14 AD).
Caesar Augustus was such a genius politician and successful leader of his time. He established and expanded the Roman Empire. Under the leadership of Caesar Augustus, the Pax Romana came: the period of perpetual peace and abundant prosperity.
Now, in a small town called Nazareth in the region of Galilee under the Roman Empire, there was a girl named Mary. She was “betrothed” to a man named Joseph. They were legally promised in marriage, but they were not fully married yet—they were not staying together. In today’s term, Mary was engaged to Joseph, and they were getting married soon.
However, the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and said, (1) “you will conceive and bear a son,” and (2) “you shall call his name Jesus” (Luke 1:30–33). Of course, Mary was troubled because she was not married yet. The baby was not to be Joseph’s. Gabriel said that the Spirit of God would come upon her; therefore, the child to be born would be called holy—the Son of God. So, the baby was a human baby born of Mary, but at the same time, the child was the Son of God.
And when Mary was pregnant with a child, the Roman Emperor Caesar Augustus issued a census decree that all Roman citizens should be registered (Luke 2:1). During his ruling, Caesar Augustus took census three times (28 BC, 8 BC, and 14 AD). But the census in Luke 2:1 was likely one that started in 8 BC because it was when Quirinius was governor of Syria (Luke 2:2). Given the size of the Roman Empire, census would take years to complete. So, Luke 2 was probably about 8–4 BC. This census decree gave Joseph and Mary a problem because Joseph had to travel to his hometown for the census. He was from the family line of King David. So, Joseph (with Mary) had to go to David’s hometown Bethlehem to register. And the problem was that Nazareth to Bethlehem was almost 160 km and Mary was pregnant. But they had no other option but to just go. It was remarkable that Mary travelled such a long distance in her pregnancy.
We often say, “Life happens.” We say that when unexpected events occur in life or when we find ourselves in situations that we cannot control. I think that’s Joseph’s and Mary’s situation.
- Mary lived in Nazareth.
- Joseph was one from the line of David.
- Joseph lived in Nazareth.
- They were getting married (but not quite yet).
- The angel Gabriel appeared to Mary.
- Mary got pregnant.
- The emperor Caesar Augustus issued a census decree: So, Joseph and Mary must have said, “Oh No! Why now?”
- But there was no other option—they really had to go.
- Joseph was worried about his pregnant wife. Mary was worried, too.
- But they left Nazareth. They walked, walked, and walked. And they finally arrived in Bethlehem.
What Joseph and Mary were going through was not an annoying situation. It was not something that we can dismiss by saying, “Well, life happens.” Rather, one amazing thing was happening throughout this.
In fact, about 700 years before Caesar Augustus, around 700 BC, when the Roman Empire didn’t even exist, there was a prophet named Micah. He warned the people of the coming judgment. But he also prophesied about a savior who would come and save God’s people from their enemies. And Micah prophesied that this royal savior would be born in Bethlehem:
But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though 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) (written in between 750 and 700 BC)
Several hundred years ago, it had already been prophesied that a savior would be born in Bethlehem. And now that prophecy was being accomplished.
Did Joseph and Mary know about this prophecy? I doubt that because Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem not to give birth to the baby but just to register for the census.
It was God who had given this prophecy and was now carrying out his promise. So, while Joseph and Mary were in Bethlehem, the time came, and Mary gave birth to a son (Luke 2:6–7).
What’s even more remarkable is where this baby was born: 2:7 and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
Let me remind you of what the angel Gabriel said to Mary about the child to be born: (1) he will be great and (2) he will be called the Son of the Most High (3) And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David (4) and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, (5) and of his kingdom there will be no end.
Now see 2:7 again: and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
Do you see any glory there? I doubt we do.
If this Savior (Son of God) had been prophesied for so many years and it was finally time that he came, would you rather not expect him to come in heavenly glory and power?
But he was born in an inn (2:7); it’s a humble roadside lodging where several groups of travelers spend the night. And even in such a small inn, Jesus’ parents couldn’t find a proper room. Baby Jesus didn’t even have a bed when he was born. So, Mary laid him in a manger. What in the world is a manger? I’m sure many of you haven’t even seen it. It’s an open box from which cattle and horses feed. Mary laid her baby in a manger. It means that Joseph and Mary were spending the night in a barn of some sort—quite possibly with the animals.
Where do you think the emperor Caesar Augustus was spending that night when baby Jesus was born and laid in a manger? I’m sure Caesar Augustus was sleeping very comfortably in his luxurious bed in his room in the palace in Rome. But baby Jesus, the Son of God, was put in a manger in an inn.
This is the story of the birth of Jesus about 2,000 years ago.
Some of you may wonder now: So what? Why should I care? Babies are born every day. What’s so special about the birth of baby Jesus? I think today’s text can shed light on those questions.
TEXT
2:8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 2:9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.
It’s remarkable that the first group of people that were informed of the birth of baby Jesus was lowly shepherds—not the religious elites or influential politicians. Shepherds belonged to one of the lowest social classes in Rome (cf. even in our village in Azerbaijan). Shepherds were ignored and despised by people.
And when “the glory of the Lord shone around them,” the shepherds were terrified (2:9). But the angel of the Lord said, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people (2:10).
But the shepherds were filled with fear because they were standing before the glory of the Lord. How can they not be afraid before the holy and almighty God? The angel gave them the reason why they should fear: because “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people” (v. 10).
What is this good news? Well, let me first ask you: What is your good news? (i.e. What good news are you waiting to hear these days?)
- good news for cancer patients: cancer is gone
- good news for childless couples: you are pregnant
- good news for high school seniors: You’re admitted to university
- good news for the shepherds: morning has come
Yes, these all are good news.
However, the good news that the angel is bringing surpasses all the good news that you and I are yearning for: 2:10 good news of great joy that will be for all the people. And the “good news of great joy” is for all the people; it is not just for Jewish people but also for non-Jewish people.
And the content of that good news is in 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord—i.e. the good news is the message that the savior of humanity has come into the world!Baby Jesus born in Bethlehem—he is the one.
The angel gave him 3 titles:
- Savior (σωτήρ): The one who’s born in Bethlehem today—he’s a Savior. A savior is one who saves people from something, right? Then from what will Savior Jesus save you? Matthew 1:21 says, “he will save his people from their sins.”
- And the baby who’s born today is Christ (Χριστός). “Christ” is the Greek translation of the Hebrew “Messiah.” Baby Jesus is the anointed servant of God (the Messiah) that God promised long time ago. He is the one sent by God.
- Lastly, he is Lord (κύριος). He came into the world in human flesh, as a baby. But he is the Son of God. He is God. He is sovereign Creator. He is your Master. He is your Lord.
And the angel said to the shepherds, Do you guys find it hard to believe? I’ll give you evidence. 2:12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”
I think the shepherds were still afraid and in doubt. They were puzzled. And the sign that the angel promised that they would be able to find was something unusual: (1) a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths is acceptable and usual; but (2) lying in a manger was very unusual to them. No parent would want to put their new-born baby in a dirty manger, would they? That was odd. This oddity would serve as a sign to the shepherds that they had found the Messiah.
So the angel was saying to them, Go and you’ll see a remarkable baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. That baby is your Savior. That baby is your Christ. That baby is your Lord.
2:15 the shepherds: “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” They went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
EXHORTATION AND CLOSING
When the shepherds were keeping watch over their flock all night in the field, the good news they wanted was the daybreak (“the morning has come! Let’s go home and rest”). But out of nowhere appeared the angel of the Lord and proclaimed “the good news of great joy” not only for the shepherds but also for all the people in the world. And that “good news of great joy” was certainly different from what they wanted; but it was the news they needed to hear.
And this “good news of great joy” is the best news that you and I can ever receive. And the news is that Jesus is our Savior, Jesus is the Christ, and Jesus is Lord—This baby born 2,000 years ago in Bethlehem Judea, he is the Son of God, sent by God the Father to save us from our sins! He will make you right with God.
- That’s why Jesus later said in John 14:6 “I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
- There is only one way to God. There is only one way to eternal salvation. And it is Jesus Christ who was born in Bethlehem. There is no one else and nothing else. So, ladies and gentlemen, brothers and sisters, in this Christmas time, I proclaim Acts 4:12 once again: “there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved”
I don’t know where you all are coming from. You may be a believer of Jesus Christ. Or some of you are skeptic and doubtful about him. But the teaching of the Bible is: whether you admit it or not, your eternal destiny is determined on your relationship with Jesus who was born in Bethlehem, who was killed for your sins, who was resurrected from the grave, who is now seated at the right hand of God, and who is coming again soon.
Friends, have a very merry Christmas. But I want you to know why Christmas can be merry.
10 Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Merry Christmas.