December 14th, 2025 -- More than a Manger, Part 3

Devotional

Day 1: Born under the law to redeem us

In the temple, two ancient ceremonies quietly testified to a deeper reality: Jesus entered our humanity fully, even submitting to the law’s demands through His parents’ obedience. He was presented and “redeemed” with a small payment so that He could become the Redeemer who pays our infinite debt. He stepped into our obligations so He could free us from them and bring us into God’s family. When you feel the weight of rules, regret, or routines, remember He came under the law to lift you into adoption. Let your heart rest today in the joy of being wanted by God, not on the basis of performance but grace [06:43]

Galatians 4:4–5 — When the time God planned had fully arrived, He sent His Son, born of a woman and placed under the law’s authority, so that He could buy back those living under that law and welcome them as sons and daughters.

Reflection: Where do you feel pressured to “earn” your place with God, and what would it look like this week to practice adoption—speaking to Him as a beloved son or daughter rather than an employee?

Day 2: A light for all peoples, no one excluded

Simeon held the child and saw a promise for the world, not a few: God prepared salvation in plain view, a revealing light for the nations and glory for Israel. This has always been the plan—from Abraham to Isaiah to the words of Jesus—salvation that stretches to the ends of the earth. You are not on the outside looking in; through Christ, the door is open. Let that widen your heart for neighbors, coworkers, and the person you least expect God to pursue. The wonder of Christmas is that grace refuses to stay local [10:31]

Luke 2:30–32 — My eyes have seen the rescue You arranged for all to see—a light that opens truth to the nations and brings honor to Your people Israel.

Reflection: Who in your daily path might feel “outside,” and what is one gentle, specific step you can take this week to reflect Christ’s open door to them?

Day 3: Never get over being included

Jesus gathers people who would never have chosen each other—fishermen and tax collectors then, unlikely friends in the church now. Being included in God’s family is a miracle we should not outgrow. Gratitude multiplies when we notice the beautiful differences God weaves into one body. Ask God to renew your awe that you truly belong, and that others—very different from you—belong with you. Let today be a fresh yes to the family Christ is forming [17:36]

2 Peter 1:1 — To those who, by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ, have received a faith that stands on equal footing with ours.

Reflection: Name one person in your church family who is unlike you; how will you thank God for them and tangibly encourage or serve them this week?

Day 4: Depart in peace: meeting God without fear

Simeon could face death calmly because he had seen God’s salvation. One day each of us will stand before God, who is either a loving Father or a just Judge. In Christ, the fear of judgment is displaced by the peace of belonging. This is not wishful thinking; it’s the settled confidence of those who have received the Savior. Let the promise of meeting God as Father shape the choices and conversations you have today [21:55]

Luke 2:29–30 — Lord, You now release Your servant to go in peace; my eyes have beheld the salvation You provided.

Reflection: If you knew you could meet God as a beloved child tonight, what one decision or conversation would you approach differently today?

Day 5: Justice and mercy meet in Jesus

God does not ignore sin; He deals with it. The wages of sin are real, yet Jesus took our debt and gave us His righteousness—the great exchange. At the cross, perfect justice and lavish mercy embraced, so we can live and die in peace. As you wait for Christ’s return, live this exchange daily: confess, receive, and then extend grace to others. Let the mission of Jesus flow from the mercy you have received [32:20]

Romans 6:23 — The payoff of sin is death, but God freely gives eternal life through Jesus the Messiah our Lord.

Reflection: What simple, regular practice (for example, nightly confession, a memorized gospel verse, or a planned act of mercy) will help you remember and live the great exchange this week?

Sermon Summary

We’ve been asking, Why did Jesus come? Two weeks ago: to defeat sin. Last week: to bring God to us. Today: to bring us to God. Luke shows Mary and Joseph obeying the Law through two ceremonies—purification for Mary and presentation of the firstborn son—because Jesus was “born under the law” to redeem those under the law. Even at forty days old, through these rites, God is signaling that the Redeemer steps into our story all the way down to its obligations, so He can lift us all the way up into His family.

Simeon, led by the Spirit, takes the child and blesses God: “My eyes have seen your salvation… a light for revelation to the Gentiles.” From Abraham’s promise to bless all families of the earth, to Isaiah’s light to the nations, to Jesus’ own declaration, the plan has always been global. This means ordinary people like us are really included—no pedigree, no status required. Never get over the wonder of that. The kingdom draws together people who would never be in the same room otherwise and makes them family.

But Jesus didn’t just come to make a people; He came to bring us to God Himself. Simeon says, “Now you are letting your servant depart in peace.” Everyone will stand before God. He will be either a loving Father or a just Judge. How can He be both just and merciful? Not by ignoring sin—that would be injustice—but by dealing with it in the person of His Son. Jesus, fully God and fully man, lived without sin and died the death our sin deserves. In faith’s great exchange, our sin is laid on Him and His righteousness is counted to us. That’s how real peace with God is possible—peace now, and peace to depart this life when He calls.

So if you’ve not trusted Christ, don’t miss your invitation into the family. And if you have, ask God to restore the wonder of being included, and live the mission your salvation launched. At the Table we taste again what we believe: Jesus gave Himself to bring us to God. We wait for His return in peace.

Key Takeaways

1. Don’t lose the wonder of inclusion The gospel is not a private club for the qualified; it’s God’s open door to all who believe. Simeon sees Jesus as “salvation… for all peoples,” a light for Gentiles and Jews alike. Let that widen your love for the church and your hope for your neighbor. Gratitude grows when you remember you’re not just forgiven—you’re included. [08:59]
2. Born under the law to redeem us Jesus steps into our obligations, fully keeps the Law, and then frees us from its condemnation. Redemption isn’t God waving a wand; it’s God fulfilling righteousness on our behalf. Your assurance rests not in your performance but in His completed obedience. That’s why weary hearts can finally rest. [05:16]
3. Peace comes from seeing Christ Simeon could depart in peace because he had seen God’s salvation. Peace isn’t the absence of trouble but the presence of a Person who has secured your future. When Christ is your righteousness, death is not a cliff but a doorway. Learn to look at Him until fear loses its voice. [19:20]
4. Justice and mercy meet in Jesus If God ignored sin, He would be unjust; if He judged without mercy, we would be undone. At the cross, sin is punished and sinners are pardoned—love and holiness embrace. That means your forgiveness is not fragile; it is as solid as Christ’s finished work. Live boldly under that kind of security. [24:05]
5. Saved to live the mission Salvation is not an exit plan; it is a new calling. The same grace that saves also sends us as witnesses to the ends of the earth and to the end of our street. Real faith reshapes our loves, priorities, and daily practices. Peace received becomes peace shared. [29:48]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome

Bible Study Guide

Bible reading
- Luke 2:22–35

Observation questions

In Luke 2, what two ceremonies are happening around Jesus’ birth, and why did Jewish families do them? How do these show that Jesus was “born under the law”? ([02:31])
When Simeon takes Jesus in his arms, what does he say he has “seen,” and who does he say this salvation is for (name the groups in verses 31–32)?
What changes for Simeon in verses 29–30? What is he now ready to do, and why?
Where in this passage do you see hints that Jesus’ mission reaches beyond Israel?

Interpretation questions

“Prepared in the presence of all peoples… a light for revelation to the Gentiles” (vv. 31–32): What does this teach about who is welcomed into God’s family, and how should that reshape ideas about pedigree or status? ([08:59])
If Jesus was “born under the law to redeem those under the law,” how does his obedience give a believer assurance that does not rest on personal performance? ([05:16])
Simeon says he can “depart in peace” after seeing Jesus (v. 29). What does this show about the nature of peace—absence of trouble or the presence of a Person who secures the future? ([19:20])
God will be either a loving Father or a just Judge. How does the cross hold justice and mercy together so that forgiveness is real and not fragile? ([24:05])

Application questions

“A light for revelation to the Gentiles” means the door is open wide. Who in your life feels like they’re always on the outside, and what is one concrete way you can widen your love and make room for them this week? ([08:59])
Where are you still trying to earn God’s smile—by productivity, rule-keeping, or comparison? What simple practice this week (for example, praying Galatians 4:4–5 or journaling gratitude for Christ’s obedience) could help you rest in what Jesus has already finished for you? ([05:16])
Peace comes from seeing Christ. What would it look like for you to “look at Jesus” each day until fear loses its voice—five quiet minutes in the morning, a Scripture on your phone lock screen, a breath prayer at lunch? Pick one habit to start this week. ([19:20])
Is there a sin you’ve treated as “no big deal,” or a guilt you’ve treated as “too big for grace”? How does the great exchange—your sin on Jesus, Jesus’ righteousness on you—speak to that today? Share one step of repentance or one step of receiving grace you will take. ([26:43])
If your life ended sooner than expected, would you be ready to “depart in peace”? If not, what would keep you from that peace? For someone who has not yet trusted Christ, what would it look like to respond to his invitation today? ([27:58])
Saved people are sent people. Name one neighbor, coworker, or family member you will pray for and one next step you’ll take (a meal, an invitation, a simple testimony). What small act of obedience can you do this week? ([29:48])
The Table is an expression of faith and a way of waiting in peace. How will you approach Communion next time—what will you remember, confess, and hope for as you eat and drink? Make a plan to prepare your heart before the next gathering. ([32:01])

Sermon Clips

So I guess the question is, what does this mean for us then? Why is this significant that he does this? Well, if you're here today and you don't believe it, my first thing is, don't miss your chance to be part of the family. Right? This is an opportunity where God has said, hey, believe in me, you have eternal life. There's a family here. And this is what Simeon was saying. He's saying this is for all who believe, all who believe. It doesn't matter your background. It doesn't matter your circumstances or situation. [00:13:50] (33 seconds) #AllAreInvited

Jesus came to bring us to God, who is far richer and far greater and far more majestic than any sports that this world could ever offer. And Jesus says, come with me. I want to include you in on this. That's the wonder of Christmas. The wonder of Christmas is that we should never, ever get over the wonder of being included. We get to be included in God's family through Jesus Christ. [00:17:00] (37 seconds) #IncludedInGodsFamily

And we all have this in our lives where depending on the relationship, we have different hats that we wear. So, you know, sometimes I wear the dad hat. Sometimes I wear the pastor hat. Sometimes I've worn a coach hat, a teacher hat, a husband hat. I mean, we all have these different roles that we play depending on the relationship. It's the same is true with God. When we die, he's either going to be one of two things. He's either going to be a loving father to us or he's going to be a just judge to us. The Bible only leaves room for those two possibilities. [00:21:15] (33 seconds) #FatherOrJudge

So the answer to the question is, why could God just not just forgive everybody? The answer is because God in his love, and he is a loving God, and he is a forgiving God. He is a compassionate God. He's a merciful God. But at the same time, he's also holy. And he's just. So how could God maintain his justice, right? Because we all want justice. If someone were to hack into your bank account, steal all your money, take your house away, and kick your dog, you know, you would want justice for that person, right? You said that person has to pay. We all want that justice, right? [00:23:52] (42 seconds) #MercyMeetsJustice

Okay, the answer is tied up in the Christmas story, okay? The answer is that Jesus came. This is why he came to be a human. This is why he came to live the human life. It's because the sin that we've inherited and we've committed is on our account. Humans did that, so a human has to be someone who pays that penalty because there's a penalty for us. So in order for this to be wiped away, in order for this debt to be wiped away, then someone has to pay it, right? Okay, so God sends Jesus to live the life of a human. [00:25:20] (37 seconds) #GodBecameHuman

Well, either our death or God sends Jesus. So Jesus dies. And then here's the thing. He didn't have to die because he never sinned. But he did die so that he could absorb the debt that we have. So here's this great exchange that happens in belief, in repentance. Is that when we repent of our sins and ask God to save us from our sins, here's what happens. It's really cool. All of Jesus' righteousness, all the good things, the way he obeyed God, the way he did it, the way that what you and I couldn't do. All of that gets put on our account before God, right? [00:26:25] (37 seconds) #GreatExchange

And then our sin goes on his account, but it's paid for it because of his death. So it's this great exchange that happens. So this is how God then could say, I'm going to show my compassion. I am going to show my mercy. I am going to show my love. I am going to show grace towards you. But at the same time, sin is actually dealt with through Jesus Christ. [00:27:02] (22 seconds) #AtonementAndGrace

So when we look at this, Jesus came to bring us to God, to God himself. Because we can go to him and we can have him. When we depart this life, we can depart in peace like Simeon because our sins have been taken care of by Jesus Christ. We can leave this life in peace. But if we don't have Christ, the Bible is very clear that we have to pay this debt. [00:27:24] (26 seconds) #PeaceThroughChrist

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