Devotions

A Multitude of the Heavenly Army, Praising God

by  • 

Gods plan leads Joseph to Bethlehem to fulfill the prophecy related to the birth of Jesus. Angel announce his birth to shepherds. Wise men seek the new born King. And Joseph is busy again as an angel warns of the threat Herod poses to Jesus. They flee to Egypt for a time, and on their return, live in Nazareth, again fulfilling the prophecy that he, Jesus, would be called a Nazarene.

Everyone Went to be Registered

Luke 2:1–7
God had a plan for the birth of Jesus that was known to Him many years before. The prophets spoke these thing, “born in Bethlehem”, not knowing the reasons or circumstances that would cause this to happen. Joseph in Luke 2:4 “went up from Galilee … to … Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David”. Joseph did this in response to “a decree … from Caesar Augustus to register all the empire”. And while they were there, Mary “gave birth to her first born” in Luke 2:7.Did God really move every person in the Roman Empire to participate in registration just so Joseph and Mary would be in Bethlehem on this day? Well, they were there. 

A Multitude of the Heavenly Army, Praising God

Luke 2:8–20
There were shepherds tending their flocks that night and in Luke 2:8-14 “an angel of the Lord stood near them … and the angel said … a Savior, who is Christ the Lord, was born for you … you will find him … and … (there was) a multitude of the heavenly army praising God”. Then in Luke 2:15 “the shepherds began to say … Let us go”. In Luke 216-18 “they went hurrying … and found the baby … and … made known … about this child”. This was a day of wonder for Mary and a day of rejoicing for the shepherds. 

The Genealogy of Jesus Christ

Matthew 1:1–17
These lists of names are hard for us to read, but the lineage is important. God has connected His promises through our generations and this one was the way God gained legal access into the earth. Jesus was to become king and priest, not only in heaven, but also in the earth. It was said in

1 Corinthians 2:8 (LEB) “which none of the rulers of this age knew. For if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory“.

Through his family blood line, Jesus has the legal right to rule. And as a priest, not of the Law of Moses, also had the right to present the offering for our sin, to purchase our redemption.

The Son of Adam, The Son of God

Luke 3:23–38

He Was Named Jesus

Luke 2:21–24
Circumcised the eighth day, and in Luke 2:21 he was “named Jesus, his name that he was called by the angel before he was conceived in the womb”. Then, Mary came with her offering, ““The days” of this purification for a male child were forty in all (Le 12:2, 4), on the expiry of which the mother was required to offer … From the … “a pair of turtle doves or two young pigeons,” we gather that Joseph and the Virgin were in poor circumstances (2 Co 8:9), though not in abject poverty”.1
It is clear though, these were two separate events in the life of a new child and mother. 

Looking Forward to the Consolation of Israel

Luke 2:25–35
Simeon, in Luke 2:25 is identified as being “righteous and devout”. He saw something in the life of this child that no one else recognized. Simeon spoke a prophetic word over Jesus in

Luke 2:30–32 (LEB) For my eyes have seen your salvation 31 that you have prepared in the presence of all the peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory to your people Israel.”

Simeon recognized the savior for Israel that they were all expecting and waiting for, but even more than that, Simeon recognized Jesus as “a light for revelation to the Gentiles”, the Savior of the world.

For the Redemption of Jerusalem

Luke 2:36–40

We Have Come To Worship Him

Matthew 2:1–12

He Will Be Called A Nazarene

Mt 2:13–23

Study Verses

Today’s Reading

  • Luke 2:1-40
  • Luke 3:23-38
  • Matthew 1:1–17

The Life and Ministry of Jesus Christ – The Gospels

We began the year reading the gospel of Mark and this is often often the way we read the Bible, one book at a time. As we begin going through the gospels again, this time we will follow the order of readings from the Tyndale One Year Chronological Bible. This means we will move back and forth throught Matthew, Mark Luke and John but with little emphasis on Mark. Covering these events chronologically as they happened, gives a much different context and helps us understand the move of God as He is introducing the Saviour, the Light of the world, Jesus Christ. This series begins with Return To Me And I Will Return To You which ends in Malachi and introduces the “Witnesses” writing the Gospels.

Operation Exodus

is helping Jewish people return to their homeland. You might fund one that desires to go home. http://operationexodususa.org/Overview

References

  • 1. Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 2, pp. 99–100). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.