Luke Chapter 2 God Works Ahead
Before we get into the theme of Luke we are going to look at examples from Luke 2 of how God works and works far ahead in the circumstances of life to see His will carried out.
Luke 2:1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
Luke 2:2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
Luke 2:3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
Luke 2:4 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:)
Luke 2:5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
Luke 2:6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
Luke 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
Luke 2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
Luke 2:9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
Luke 2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
Luke 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Luke 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Luke 2:15 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 hath made known unto us.
Luke 2:16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
Luke 2:17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
Luke 2:18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
Luke 2:19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
Luke 2:20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
Luke 2:21 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.
Luke 2:22 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;
Luke 2:23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
Luke 2:24 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.
Some things are in the Bible only a few times. And when they are repeated in a different verse or chapter of even another book that is a very good thing. Because by two or three witnesses is a matter established.
Some things are in the Bible only once. And it is a mistake to take any of those and make an established doctrine out of it. An example of that is
1 Cor 15:29 Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?
No one understands that. If you run into anyone who says they know what that is all about, run! There is no second witness in the Bible at all. There are no details mentioned about it anywhere.
And yet the Mormons take that verse and make it doctrine and have their teens go get baptized for dead family members. This is why the Mormons are big on family genealogy research.
The things that are in the Bible only once, we will read, but we will not make a doctrine out of those.
The things that are in the bible two or three times are established and are doctrine and are very important. One of them is the virgin birth which is only in the Bible 3 times. And it is a critical truth.
Without that truth, then Jesus would have had a human father and thus he would have had a sin nature and then He would have had to die for His own sins and we would have no way to be saved.
By the way many of the New Versions of the Bible reduce the mention of the virgin birth to only one verse. They change the word virgin to the word maid. Thereby putting that precious truth in the same category of items as the baptism for the dead.
God’s Word should not be messed with, in any way. I firmly believe that. The Bible gives warnings about doing that. Don’t even change one word.
And there are truths that permeate the Bible. They are there over and over and over again from the front to the back.
I want to mention two of them that are in Luke chapter 2. We have encountered these two truths over and over again in this last year.
The first one is how God is not only always working but He is working far ahead.
Luke 2:1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
Luke 2:2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
Luke 2:3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
As you know this in no way could have been a last minute decision. It took time to get a decree out. The decree had to be copied many times. That takes time and then it had to be sent out to all areas of his large empire.
That takes literally months. And this all had to be done enough in advance that the people could make arrangements for the travel that it would take to obey the decree.
And before all of that could happen Caesar had to decide to make the decree. So whatever the events or the circumstances that were needed to prompt Caesar to make that decision had to be in place.
God was not asleep and leaving all of this to chance. God was working way ahead.
And our God is all powerful and infinite. He can and does at the same time work on more things than can be counted.
Luke 2:4 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:)
So God arranged for Joseph to meet Mary. And God arranged it so that both of them had claims thru their linage to the throne of David. This was so important that God had both of their linages preserved for us in His Bible.
Why was it so important? Because God promised over and over that the coming savior would come from the line of David.
God’s Word is important to God. Doing exactly what He said He would do is an absolute necessity. He cannot do otherwise. He is pure and sinless and perfect and faithful and trustworthy and Holy.
He cannot lie and He cannot make a mistake and therefore He makes sure that everything He said would happen does happen. There is nothing left to chance here.
God in His perfect foreknowledge knew all about Mary and Joseph. God knew how Mary would react to the angel’s news before Mary was even born. And God knew that Joseph would react correctly when he finds she is pregnant and the angel tells him why.
And so God had both of them born at the right time, and not separated by 1,000’s of miles. Mary was not born in Rome and Joseph in Ethiopia. God had their families living close enough to each together that Mary and Joseph would meet.
And of course God controlled the timing of when the Holy Ghost came upon Mary.
Luke 2:5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
It was timed perfectly of course. Early enough so she could make the trip, but late enough so that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem.
They were not going to be there very long. Show up maybe a few days before the census. Be counted, and then get back home. This was not a pleasure trip. We know that Joseph and Mary were poor. They would have had to get back as soon as possible.
So God timed it all perfectly. From the timing of Mary and Joseph meeting to the timing of the the decree.
Centuries before God put in His Word that the coming messiah would be born in Bethlehem. So God worked to make sure that would happen. As you know from history, a huge number of towns never lasted centuries.
Many would either be destroyed by enemies or because of economic reasons turn into ghost towns. Neither of those happened to Bethlehem. God was working. Often unseen. Often with little things here and there.
Yes God does huge big things like parting the red sea, drowning Pharaoh’s army, and consuming a sacrifice and altar and the water in the trench for Elijah.
But the overwhelming majority of what God does is small things. Little unseen things. I have said it over and over. God loves to use His almighty power in the circumstances of life.
And if you stop and think about the Christmas story it becomes clear that He never took His watchful eye off of things. He was always working and guiding and shaping circumstances so it would all work out just like He said it would.
God’s Word is incredibly important to God. And no matter how high and lifted up you put that truth, you are not even close. That God’s word is pure and true is more important to God than we can fully realize.
So the first truth I wanted to mention from Luke chapter 2 is the fact that God is always working and working way ahead. And He often works in small unseen ways. And one of the reasons He does this is so that His Word is magnified. So that everything He said would happen comes to pass.
If you really get it, then you start to see how much God hates anyone who messes with and changes what His word says. If you doubt that, go read the last few verses of the Bible.
And if this truth really sinks in, it is a source of joy and comfort. Why? Because that means that God will also go to incredible lengths to keep every single promise that He has made to us.
He will never leave us nor forsake us. We will be with Him forevermore. We do have eternal life. And on and on the list goes.
The second truth I want to mention from Luke chapter 2 is that God wants others to know.
Luke 2:6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
Luke 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
Luke 2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
Luke 2:9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
Of course God worked here as well. I have heard people ignorantly attack the Christmas story saying it would have been too cold for the shepherd’s to be out. They obviously never checked the weather report for Israel this time of year.
The weather is kind of like here. The lows are often in the mid 40’s. If you know anything about those that tend livestock that is not too cold to be out with them.
But if there was a really nasty colder night, which they do sometimes get, they might not have been out. So I believe that God worked here as well and they had a decent normal night without storms.
The skies were clear enough to see the angels.
Luke 2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
Don’t pass over that too quickly. The world had to wait for over 4,000 years for this news. God gave the first hint and first object lesson that Jesus was coming over 4,000 years before this with Adam and Eve.
And since then the world has seen sin and sin and more sin. Hurt and pain and suffering and wars. And God would give a promise of a coming Christ. And then another promise. But often in shadows and types.
And just a piece here and a little more information there.
But not anymore. For the first time in history the Angels are going to give great news. Good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. A truth that we have seen that James never took the journey on.
These tidings of great joy are for all people. The wonderful declaration of the birth of Jesus.
Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
Luke 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Luke 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
The Savior has come. He is born this day. And you can know Him. You can go see Him. Glory to God in the highest.
God the Son has left the glories of heaven to come to a sin stained earth and take upon Him the form of a servant.
This is the great truth of Philippians.
Php 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Php 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
Php 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Php 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Php 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
Php 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
Php 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Christ is come. He has been born. The news is exciting. So much so that it demanded being proclaimed.
The heavens could not stay silent.
Luke 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Luke 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
The multitude of angels gave praise to God for this. God is offering peace to sinners. God is showing His good will and His great love toward sinful man.
This truth is worth being announced and in a big way. I think all the other news that Angels delivered to man was done with 1 angel.
This news was the ultimate news. The great tidings that all of history had been moving toward. God decided that this news required not just one angel. It required all the angels proclaiming it and giving God praise for it.
This news is so great, that God wants it proclaimed and He wants it shared.
Luke 2:15 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 hath made known unto us.
Luke 2:16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
Luke 2:17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
Luke 2:18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
Luke 2:19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
Luke 2:20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
The shepherds got it. They went and met Jesus and then did to very important things. 2 things that God would have everone do that has met Jesus.
They gave glory and praise to God. glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen
He is worthy. Without Jesus coming and then going to the cross, we would have all spent an eternity in hell. I praise God that Jesus came. I praise Him for saving me. I am very thankful and tell Him so often.
The 2nd thing the shepherd did that everyone who has met Jesus should do is tell others.
Luke 2:17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
Luke 2:18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
They did not keep this truth to themselves. They told others. They made the truth known abroad. They repeated what the Angels said. Which is recorded in God’s Word.
They took the Word that God gave and made it known abroad.
It has been very exciting to me that we are now involved in getting God’s word out digitally to about 160 different counties.
What we are doing lines up well with how the shepherds reacted to the news and to meeting Jesus.
Joseph and Mary did not stay in Bethlehem very long for before 8 days had past they are already back at Jerusalem.
Luke 2:21 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.
Luke 2:22 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;
Luke 2:23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
Luke 2:24 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.
And even though Jesus is a baby and cannot speak yet. For He took no shortcuts and did become fully man.
He was still fully God and made sure that Jesus fulfilled the law and was circumcised on the 8th day just like the Bible said to do.
And notice that the offering that they gave was small. It was the offering of the poor.
Jesus did not come to this earth to be pampered. He did not come with a golden spoon in His mouth. He had no advantages that the rich had.
The one who created everthing and thereby owns everything, came and became poor. He came not for anything but to give Himself so that people could turn from their sin and turn to Him, believe in Him and get saved.
In the words of Jesus Himself from John chapter 3.
Joh 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
Joh 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
For God So Loved the World
Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
That is what Christmas is really about. His great love and sacrifice.
And that should prompt us to react like the Angels and the shepherds and have joy about it and give God glory and praise for it.
See more lessons from the Gospels