WK2 – 12/06/2020 –  The Birth – Mary & Joseph

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7; Matthew 1:18-25; Mt 2:4-6

Into: For this series the introduction will be to simply read the scripture from all the passages… (Set the viewpoint before reading the Scripture.. .ie. we’re reading scripture from  Mathhew written to a predominantly Jewish audience while Luke is writing to an audience that doesn’t even really know that they need a Messiah.)

The Birth – {Luke 2:1-7; Matthew 1:18-25}

• How do Mary and Joseph view the Birth?

  • Joseph: from confusion to obedience (cf. Mt 1:24-25)

We don’t have to understand all of God’s ways; God sets the pace, timing, and direction…  This birth is wonderful and amazing and we cannot fully comprehend all of it right now.  God is acting in the world to move us.

• • Mary recognized the importance and considered it carefully (cf. Lk 2:19 CEB “Mary committed these things to memory and considered them carefully.)

It was worth imprinting it in her memory

• How does the Sanhedrin (Mt 2:4-6) view the Birth?

  • They have knowledge, but they miss it

They were tempted to stick with what they knew and see how this thing develops and where it’s going…..

• • They know Jesus has been born, but they don’t see it as important.

They know Jesus has been born, they know that the Magi are there, and they know that there are prophetic signs that point to the Birth of the Messiah, but they don’t do anything with it; it doesn’t move them.

• • They miss the joy of God’s promise.

They should have gathered everything up and went with the Magi. Instead of going with the Magi, they stick with the “safe choice” or what they think is the safe choice – the government of the day – Herod.

• How should we view the Birth?

  • Recognize its importance.- “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God ….. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” Emmanuel, God with us, not near us, not available to us but with us, never to leave us or forsake us, but to redeem us, show us the way home and thus save us. The birth of Jesus sets the course of human history, the promise is made real, true peace has come, hope is secured, light has entered a world darkened by sin and death, whom then shall we fear? No one or nothing because God has done the impossible and the unimaginable for us in that He sent His Son into a manger to take a journey to the Cross, cancelling the debt of sin and rendering death powerless through His resurrection for us. It is the consummate statement of God’s Love for us

  • Consider carefully what God is doing. – God is not sending just anyone, He is sending the one true KING and He is moving heaven and earth to do it. In sending Jesus He is clearing the path from confusion to obedience, He is showing the way back to relationship and fellowship with Him by giving us in the fulfillment of His promise someone real to follow – consider the words of Hebrews 4 “He was tempted in everything just as we are, yet without sin” Our Father didn’t send a concept or commands calling for our obedience but a King and Savior saying “Come follow Me” – our obedience is based in the truth that Jesus is “the Way, the Truth and the Life” Since Jesus is the King, what does His birth say about the type of Kingdom that He’s ushering in.

Embrace Jesus as the True Choice.- Not necessarily the safe choice but the only choice that leads to life and true fellowship with God.  In the words of the Apostle Thomas “Where else can we go? For you alone have the words of