What the Angels Saw [30:46m]:
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Luke 2:1-20 [+/-]Luke 2:1-20
[2:1]In those days a decree went out from Caesar
Augustus that all the world should be registered. [2]This
was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of
Syria. [3]And all went to be registered, each to his own
town. [4]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, [5]to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who
was with child. [6]And while they were there, the time came
for her to give birth. [7]And she gave birth to her
firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid
him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the
inn.
[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 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." [13]And suddenly
there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host
praising God and saying,
[14]"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"
[15]When the angels went away from them into heaven, the
shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem
and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has
made known to us." [16]And they went with haste and found
Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. [17]And
when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been
told them concerning this child. [18]And all who heard it
wondered at what the shepherds told them. [19]But Mary
treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.
[20]And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God
for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
(ESV)
is a unit. It forms one complete passage of Scripture. It can, however, be neatly divided into three units. Verses 1-5 give us the historical context for the central event that is announced in verses 6-7 with the first responses to that central event being declared in verses 8-20. And the first responders to this central event were the angels and the shepherds. We are beginning this morning the season of Advent. God laid it on my heart about a month ago that we needed to give our full attention to the Advent season. So, we are taking a few weeks off from Thessalonians and turning during these days to look at what were the responses of those who first saw Jesus. We want today to listen to the angels. Next Sunday we are going to join the shepherds abiding in the field keeping a watch over their flock by night. The next Sunday we are going to walk with the magi as they make their way to the Master. Then we will join Joseph and pay attention to what he did when he saw Jesus and last of all we will step alongside the aged Simeon and listen closely to what he said when he held the baby in his arms. But all of these various responses to Jesus find the fullness of their force in what is taking place as Luke opens the second chapter of his first book. So, look with me first at the historical context. If it does not hush the critics of inerrancy then there is no possibility of silencing them.
Learn more about this message by downloading the sermon notes here
Tags: Advent, angels, christmas, historical context, Jesus, shepherds
