In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.' Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.’
-Luke 2:1-14
Why are the genealogies in Matthew and Luke different?
1. Matthew traces Jesus’ genealogy from Jesus to Abraham. Luke is writing to Theophilus and traces the legal lineage.
2. Luke traces the genealogy from Jesus to Adam. Matthew is writing to the Jews and traces the biological lineage
The birth of Jesus was the culmination of prophecies and promises God had made before Jesus was born.
Was Jesus the only King associated with the first Christmas?
Octavious: Caesar Augustus
The name Augustus in Greek is sabastos, which means, “One who is filled with majesty.”
He resided over the Pax Romana—The Peace of Rome. He was heralded as The Great Emperor of Peace.
Herod the Great
Herod the Great was a vassal king under Caesar Augustus that ruled over the Jewish people.
Herod was known for his malevolence where Caesar was known for his benevolence.
The Eternal God of Heaven
But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.
-Micah 5:2
The central character in the Christmas Story is not Augustus. It isn’t even God the Father. It’s the baby in the manger.
The scepter will not depart from Judah, Nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes, And to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.
-Genesis 49:10 NASB
At the time of His trial, those who were accusing Him dressed him in the garments of a King.
Prophecies about Jesus:
Crown of thorns - Isaiah
Betrayal for thirty pieces of silver - Zechariah
The manner of Jesus' death (Crucifixion) - David
The time of Jesus’ birth - Daniel
…so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
-Philippians 2:10-11
Under the decree of Caesar Augustus,
A census was taken.
Under the decree of Pontius Pilate
Jesus was crucified.
But under the decree of the highest King of the Universe
They were all pawns in the hand of God - who will crown Jesus the King of all kings and Lord of all Lords.
In Jesus’ birth we see the greatest power in human history.
The incarnation means that for whatever reason God chose to allow us to fall into a condition of suffering, sorrows, and death, He nonetheless had the honesty and courage to take His own medicine. He himself has gone through the whole of human experience from the trivial irritations of family life and the cramping restrictions of hard work and lack of money to the worst horrors of pain and humiliation, defeat, despair, and death... He was born in born in poverty and… suffered infinite pain - all for us - and thought it well worth His while.
-Dorothy Sayers
The power of the higher just insofar as it is truly higher, can come down to include the lesser... Everywhere the great enters the little, its power to do so is almost the test of its greatness.
-C.S. Lewis
"We can become kittenish with our kittens, but your kitten will never discuss philosophy with you. When I am at peace in joy, I can enter the hurt of someone who is angry and despondent but when I am angry and despondent I cannot enter into someone else’s joy and peace. Why? Because joy and peace are higher, greater. That’s why Lincoln can understand Hitler, but Hitler can never understand Lincoln. Why? Because Lincoln is greater. How do you know something is really high and really great? It can come down. It can enter into the lesser. It can sympathize, empathize, and humble itself. You are strong enough to be weak. You are secure enough to be vulnerable.”
Characteristics of This King
1. Kings don’t run, they walk. But this King runs.
2. Kings don’t weep. But this King weeps.
3. Kings don’t hang out with the riff raff. But this King eats with prostitutes, tax collectors and sinners.
4. Kings don’t forgive debts. But this King forgives the debt of anyone who will humble themselves and ask for forgiveness.
5. This King laid down his life for his servants, that they too may become kings!
…For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was punished. He was assigned a grave with the wicked and with the rich in his death though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.
-Isaiah 53:9-10
The Cosmic King of the Greatest Story in the Universe
One: He is always on His Throne!
He is moving everything toward His glory and our redemption.
Two: He always has the last word!
Whether the world agrees to serve under His rule or not, He is still the King in the land.
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
-Romans 8:31-32
On the basis of what God has done in the past,
I will trust God for the things I do not understand in the future.
The King has one more move!
With God, checkmate never, ever, comes because the Cosmic King always has the last word!
What is His last word? Transformation!
Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them...
-Revelation 20:6a
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