The Lord came to a low place.

Christmas Tide Second Sunday(1/5/2020)

Luke 2:8-14

The Lord came to a low place.

 

A. The Lord came to serve in a low place.

{“This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”}(12).

 

The Bible says that Jesus came to the world to save everyone. The news of the birth of Jesus was also proclaimed to the shepherds who protected their flocks. The news of Messiah's birth was first known not to religious leaders or to those in high places, but to the poor, to those in low places.

 

The angel of the Lord told the shepherds that night, “You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. This will be a sign to you.” The baby lying in a manger shows the purpose of Jesus’ coming to the world.

 

A manger is a food bowl for domestic livestock. The Jews also laid the sheep they had prepared for the sacrifice there. Therefore the manger indicates that Jesus became a ransom for many. Jesus himself said, “Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many”(Mt. 20:28). The Lord came to serve in a low place.

 

B. Do not forget the purpose of the Lord's coming.

{“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”}(11).

 

Our Lord came not in a high, but in a low place. He was not to be treated in a splendid place, but to serve in a wounded place. We must not forget the purpose of Jesus’ coming into the world.

 

At that time, the Israel were under the control of the Roman Empire. Israel did not know the future of their nation. They just expected the long prophesied Messiah to come and liberate themselves. So the Messiah they were looking forward to was a powerful and political Messiah who could defeat Rome.

 

The birth of Jesus teaches us not to look for the wrong Messiah like Israel. It's really important to understand the meaning of Jesus’ birth and realize what it means to us. We must not forget the purpose of the Lord’s coming into the world.

 

C. We must follow the Lord with joy.

{“Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased!”(NLT)}(14).

 

When the angel told the shepherds about the birth of the Messiah, the armies of heaven came down and praised God. And they heard, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased!”

 

Here we need to pay attention to ‘the people who please God.’ Jesus came to a lower place. He came to serve many. And he came and sacrificed himself as a ransom. Those who accept this way of life that the Lord came and showed us are ‘the people who please God.’

 

In the text ‘please’ means ‘God’s wish, good will.’ In an English Bible GWT, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those who have his good will!” Jesus’ coming revealed God’s wish. God is pleased that we live in Jesus’ way of life. We should follow the way of the Lord with pleasure.

 

D. When we serve the Lord with pleasure, peace comes.

{“Give glory to God in heaven, and on earth let there be peace among the people who please God!”(NCV)}(14).

 

The birth of Jesus is by no means a splendid appearance. It is exactly the opposite of what Israel expect. It is a humble story. Jesus came to the world as a preview of suffering.

 

But the angel and the heavenly army sang, “Give glory to God in heaven, and on earth let there be peace among the people who please God!” It is a proclamation of heaven that tells the world that the way to salvation is here. Look at Jesus! Hope is right here.

 

We must be a servant, looking at the place where Jesus laid. When we see the agape that Jesus has given us, we must bear that mind. If we follow the way of Jesus, there is salvation. It is salvation with love, joy and peace.