Wednesday, December 22, 2021 Luke 2: 6-7
Please notice all the details given concerning Jesus’ birth in verses 6-7. What day was Jesus born? The text does not say. We do not know what day Jesus was born. It was apparently not necessary for God to reveal to us the exact day. There is a 1 out of 365 possibilities (1 day out of 365 days in a year) that December 25 is the day of Jesus’ birth. That is a 0.2% chance, less than one percent. The things that are done on December 25 are not done in worship to God, but out of human desire, for the scriptures are completely silent as to the day of Jesus’ birth. Just as knowing the exact day of Jesus’ death is irrelevant because we should worship and praise God every day for Jesus’ death, so also knowing the exact day of Jesus’ birth is irrelevant because we should worship and praise God every day for Jesus’ birth and life.
Too often imaginations have run wild concerning the information given to us by Luke. Luke does not mention that the innkeeper is some horrible person. Nor does Luke say that this is something despicable for Jesus to be placed in a feeding trough. There is an intended point that we are not to miss. Look at the humble beginnings of the Savior, the Messiah, the King. Jesus arrives in complete obscurity. No one in Rome knew about the birth of Jesus. No one in Caesar’s palace is keeping tabs on the arrival of this king. No one in Jerusalem is paying attention. In fact, no one in Bethlehem is paying attention. Joseph, Mary, and Jesus are staying in the shelter where the animals sleep. This is not "king of the universe" beginnings! The birth of Jesus draws the attention of no one in the town of Bethlehem.
Why did God do this? Why wasn’t Jesus born in Rome? Why wasn’t Jesus even born in Jerusalem? Why wasn’t Jesus born into the Augustan family so that Jesus could rule the empire instead of Tiberius once Augustus dies? God could have just as easily had Jesus miraculously born to be to the wealthy powerful of Rome. Why wasn’t Jesus born into the rich and powerful of Jerusalem so that people would perceive him to the king of Israel?
There is no silver spoon in this king’s mouth. He is not a king that comes from a privileged life. These are very humble beginnings for the king. The image is drawing a contrast between how great this child is (he is the Savior, Messiah, and Lord) but his birth is so common and ordinary. Nothing about this birth scene in Bethlehem screams, "Jesus is the Savior and King of the world!" This is God identifying with the human race. Not only is God identifying with the human race, but even identifying with the lowly and poor who are in lowly and despised circumstances. Why did God do this? God did this so that Jesus would be the king for all people. Jesus knows what you are going through and understands. Jesus cares about what you are going through. He is not a king who has no concept of what real life is like. Jesus identifies with you. He knows where you are at and knows what you are dealing with in life.
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:15-16) Jesus came to us, that our Joy may be made complete.
