The Historical Significance of Jesus' Birth
Summary
In reflecting on the birth of Jesus Christ, it is crucial to return to the historical records provided in the New Testament. The world, influenced by forces opposed to God, often distorts the true meaning of Christmas into a vague spirit of fellowship and good cheer. However, the Christian message is rooted in historical events, not mere philosophy or sentiment. The birth of Jesus is a concrete event that took place in history, much like any other significant historical occurrence. The Bible is a book of history, detailing God's actions and interventions throughout time, culminating in the birth of His Son.
The narrative of Jesus' birth is not just a story; it is a testament to God's control over history. The decree from Caesar Augustus, which led Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem, was not a mere coincidence but a divine orchestration. God had predetermined the time and place of Jesus' birth, fulfilling prophecies made centuries earlier. This demonstrates that God is sovereign over all events, using even pagan rulers to accomplish His purposes.
The world into which Jesus was born was unaware of the significance of His arrival. The people of Bethlehem were preoccupied with mundane concerns, oblivious to the monumental event occurring in their midst. This mirrors the modern world's focus on material and temporal matters, often ignoring the spiritual and eternal truths. The birth of Jesus, in humble circumstances, highlights the world's indifference and selfishness, yet it also underscores God's incredible love and humility.
Jesus came into the world not with fanfare but in humility, born in a stable and laid in a manger. This act of divine condescension was necessary for Him to become our Savior. By taking on human nature, Jesus could fully identify with us, experiencing our struggles and temptations. His incarnation was the first step in the redemptive plan that would lead to His sacrificial death and resurrection, offering salvation to all who believe.
The love of God is the driving force behind the incarnation. Despite the world's sinfulness and rejection, God's compassion and mercy led Him to send His Son to save humanity. This love is embodied in the humble birth of Jesus, offering forgiveness, reconciliation, and the promise of eternal life to those who accept Him.
Key Takeaways:
- The birth of Jesus is a historical event, not a philosophical idea or sentimental story. It is rooted in concrete facts, emphasizing the importance of returning to the biblical records to understand the true meaning of Christmas. [04:46]
- God's sovereignty is evident in the orchestration of historical events, such as the decree from Caesar Augustus, which fulfilled prophecies about Jesus' birth. This demonstrates that God is in control of history, using even secular powers to accomplish His divine purposes. [12:14]
- The world often overlooks the truly significant events, focusing instead on material and temporal concerns. The birth of Jesus in humble circumstances highlights the world's indifference and selfishness, yet it also reveals God's incredible love and humility. [22:17]
- Jesus' incarnation was necessary for Him to become our Savior. By taking on human nature, He could fully identify with us, experiencing our struggles and temptations. This was the first step in the redemptive plan that would lead to His sacrificial death and resurrection. [31:11]
- The love of God is the driving force behind the incarnation. Despite the world's sinfulness and rejection, God's compassion and mercy led Him to send His Son to save humanity, offering forgiveness, reconciliation, and the promise of eternal life. [33:17]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:09] - Introduction to the Birth of Christ
[00:48] - The True Meaning of Christmas
[01:56] - Returning to the Biblical Records
[03:06] - The Historical Context
[04:46] - The Significance of Historical Events
[06:22] - The Reality of Jesus' Birth
[09:21] - God's Control Over History
[12:47] - Fulfillment of Prophecy
[19:34] - The World's Indifference
[22:17] - The Significance of Jesus' Birth
[27:25] - The Humility of Christ's Coming
[30:52] - The Purpose of the Incarnation
[33:17] - The Love of God Manifested
[34:14] - Conclusion and Reflection
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- 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."
Observation Questions:
1. What historical details are provided in Luke 2:7 that emphasize the reality of Jesus' birth? How does this verse set the scene for the birth of Jesus? [00:09]
2. According to the sermon, how does the decree from Caesar Augustus demonstrate God's control over historical events? [12:14]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the world's awareness of significant spiritual events, as illustrated by the birth of Jesus? [22:17]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the historical context of Jesus' birth, as described in the sermon, challenge the modern world's understanding of Christmas? [04:46]
2. In what ways does the sermon illustrate God's sovereignty through the events surrounding Jesus' birth? How does this understanding affect our view of current world events? [12:14]
3. How does the sermon describe the world's indifference to Jesus' birth, and what does this reveal about human nature and priorities? [22:17]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the historical reality of Jesus' birth. How does acknowledging this as a concrete event, rather than a sentimental story, change your perspective on Christmas? [04:46]
2. Consider the ways God orchestrated events for Jesus' birth. How can you trust in God's sovereignty in your own life, especially in situations that seem coincidental or challenging? [12:14]
3. The sermon highlights the world's focus on material concerns over spiritual truths. What are some ways you can shift your focus from the temporal to the eternal in your daily life? [22:17]
4. Jesus' humble birth is a testament to God's love and humility. How can you embody humility and love in your interactions with others this week? [30:52]
5. The sermon discusses the world's indifference to significant spiritual events. How can you become more aware of and responsive to God's work in your life and the world around you? [22:17]
6. Reflect on the love of God as the driving force behind the incarnation. How can you demonstrate this love to someone in your life who may not yet know Christ? [33:17]
7. Jesus' incarnation was necessary for Him to become our Savior. In what ways can you identify with Jesus' experiences and use them to strengthen your faith and witness to others? [31:11]
Devotional
Day 1: The Historical Reality of Jesus' Birth
The birth of Jesus is not merely a philosophical idea or a sentimental story; it is a historical event rooted in concrete facts. The New Testament provides historical records that affirm the reality of Jesus' birth, emphasizing the importance of returning to these biblical accounts to understand the true meaning of Christmas. In a world that often distorts Christmas into a vague spirit of fellowship and good cheer, it is crucial to remember that the Christian message is grounded in historical events. The birth of Jesus is as real and significant as any other historical occurrence, underscoring the importance of acknowledging its factual basis. [04:46]
Luke 2:1-4 (ESV): "In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David."
Reflection: How can you incorporate the historical reality of Jesus' birth into your understanding and celebration of Christmas this year?
Day 2: God's Sovereignty in Historical Events
God's sovereignty is evident in the orchestration of historical events, such as the decree from Caesar Augustus, which fulfilled prophecies about Jesus' birth. This demonstrates that God is in control of history, using even secular powers to accomplish His divine purposes. The decree that led Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem was not a mere coincidence but a divine orchestration, showing that God had predetermined the time and place of Jesus' birth. This fulfillment of prophecy highlights God's control over all events, reminding us that He is sovereign over history and uses all circumstances to achieve His purposes. [12:14]
Proverbs 21:1 (ESV): "The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will."
Reflection: Can you identify a situation in your life where you need to trust in God's sovereignty, even when it seems like secular forces are in control?
Day 3: The World's Indifference and God's Love
The world into which Jesus was born was largely unaware of the significance of His arrival, preoccupied with mundane concerns and oblivious to the monumental event occurring in their midst. This mirrors the modern world's focus on material and temporal matters, often ignoring spiritual and eternal truths. The birth of Jesus in humble circumstances highlights the world's indifference and selfishness, yet it also reveals God's incredible love and humility. Despite the world's sinfulness and rejection, God's compassion and mercy led Him to send His Son to save humanity. [22:17]
1 John 4:9-10 (ESV): "In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins."
Reflection: In what ways can you shift your focus from material concerns to spiritual truths, especially during the Christmas season?
Day 4: The Necessity of Jesus' Incarnation
Jesus' incarnation was necessary for Him to become our Savior. By taking on human nature, He could fully identify with us, experiencing our struggles and temptations. This was the first step in the redemptive plan that would lead to His sacrificial death and resurrection, offering salvation to all who believe. Jesus came into the world not with fanfare but in humility, born in a stable and laid in a manger. This act of divine condescension was essential for Him to fulfill His role as our Savior, demonstrating His willingness to enter into our human experience. [31:11]
Hebrews 2:14-17 (ESV): "Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham."
Reflection: How does understanding Jesus' incarnation as a necessary step in God's redemptive plan impact your view of His birth and life?
Day 5: The Love of God Manifested in Jesus
The love of God is the driving force behind the incarnation. Despite the world's sinfulness and rejection, God's compassion and mercy led Him to send His Son to save humanity, offering forgiveness, reconciliation, and the promise of eternal life. This love is embodied in the humble birth of Jesus, who came into the world to offer salvation to all who believe. The incarnation is a testament to God's incredible love and humility, inviting us to accept His gift of forgiveness and eternal life. [33:17]
Ephesians 2:4-5 (ESV): "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved."
Reflection: How can you respond to God's love and mercy in your daily life, especially in your interactions with others?
Quotes
"Now the first thing thing that we notice is this that what we are thinking about at the moment and what we are concerned about is history the very style of the record should have impressed that fact Upon Us in and of itself there is something almost praic about this record it's almost like uh looking at a parish register came to pass in those days that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed now that's that's just history that's just a pure bit of history." [00:03:00]
"Caesar Augustus he was the emperor at this particular time well he belongs to history as Julius Caesar one of his predecessors belongs to history so we must always start by when we come to this season of the year and to Christmas day in particular by reminding ourselves that we are not concerned here about a teaching about a philosophy it isn't what the world calls the Christmas spirit there is such a thing as the the Spirit but that isn't the Christian thing that's something that belongs as I said to the world." [00:04:26]
"This is primarily an announcement a proclamation of events something that has actually and has concretely taken place in this world it's a hard fact how easy I say it is to lose all that and even to turn what happened in Bethlehem so long ago into a sort of fairy tale how wonderful and a beautiful tale picture sort of thing you can read of in a novel but that isn't it the record if we'll only listen to it if we'll only read it properly dismisses all that it ties us down to these hard facts when Caesar Augustus was the emperor this particular thing happened." [00:05:38]
"The Bible is a book of History this isn't a teaching a philosophy offered to men this is a record of what God has done God created created The World God made men men sinned God came down and spoke to him God began to plan away of Salvation took a man called Abram turned him into a nation that's a fact of history and so he's gone on through the running centuries he's been doing things he's been intervening here is the great climax here is the crucial event when he sent forth his son made of a woman made under the law." [00:07:52]
"God is still acting in history and therefore as we meet in this confused modern world this morning let us remember that our God is still a God who acts in history and he's going to do so the Bible teaches that God will again send his son not as a babe but as the judge Eternal hold on then I say my dear friends to the historical fact this is not a picture it's not a fairy tale of fantasy this is sheer history it happened concretely in this world." [00:08:34]
"God's control of history there is nothing more comforting than this God controls history now now where do we see that in this record well we see it here you read this statement it came to pass in those days that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed and then this taxing was first made when Sirius was governor of Syria and you can find out exactly from the secular history books as to when cenius was governor of Syria." [00:09:15]
"Why do you think Caesar Augustus uh decided to do this at that given point in history do you think this was just an accident is it just that this great emperor suddenly got an idea a kind of whim he suddenly thought to himself ah I think I'll text the the whole of my world do you think it's that do you think this was a a pure accident just something that chaned to take place it might equally well not have taken place no no my dear friend you can't possibly think that if you know your Bible at all you know that that is an utterly impossible explanation." [00:11:20]
"God put it into his mind because he had decided and determined before the foundation of the world that it was at this particular moment that his son was going to come into the world to redeem mankind not only that he had already given intimation nearly eight centuries before through the prophet Micah but when his son did come into the world he was to be born as a babe in Bethlehem so you see two things were fixed in the mind of God from eternity Bethlehem and the exact time." [00:12:22]
"God puts it into the mind of this Pagan emperor Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be taxed at that moment and that involved of course that Joseph and Mary had to go up from Nazareth to Bethlehem and they had to be there at the exact moment when the sun was to be born so we are given the further details to be text with Mary his espoused wife being great with child and so it was that while they were there the days were accomplished that she should be delivered." [00:13:04]
"The world looking on would say what a Pity what a Pity that a woman in this condition is to take a journey at this particular time and isn't it unfortunate that the babe should be born while she's at Bethlehem instead of being born when she was in her home in Nazareth but my dear friends that's to display an ignorance of the whole Bible God says his son's going to be born in Bethlehem th Bethlehem eat the very least of the of the cities of Judah it's there seed of David hadn't God given a promise to David centuries before 10 centuries before God had given him a promise it was out of his house and lineage that the Messiah was going to come." [00:13:40]
"Isn't it extraordinary isn't it amazing well I know of nothing better to cheer our hearts on a Christmas morning such as this than to realize things like this Christian people we are in the hands of God and he's a God who knows us like this intimately takes nothing for granted takes no chances organizes plans everything with an amazing and an absolute Perfection oh yes the decree was promulgated at the right moment just to assure that this child should be born of the Virgin Mary at that moment and in that particular place." [00:17:33]
"Look at the world I say into which he came and then look at the modern world and can we still say that the world is improving that the world is a better place can we still pity Evolution against Christ and against God's activity can we say there is no need of Salvation no need of the Son of God because the world is automatically getting better and better I don't see how anybody can say that who's ever read this accountant has then looked at the modern world because this is the world she brought forth her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a Manger why well because there was no room for them in the Inn." [00:19:34]
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