Luke 2
by Pastor David Groendyk

Nearly everything in our chapter today is unique to Luke, meaning that no other Gospel records the events of Luke 2. Except for Matthew telling us about Jesus’ family fleeing to Egypt and the visit of the magi, this is all the information we have about Jesus’ childhood: he was born in Bethlehem, shepherds came to visit him as a baby, he was circumcised at eight days old, his parents presented him at the temple, and he taught at the temple when he was twelve years old. For as much information as there is in the Bible, it skips over a lot of details that we would love to have. Actually if we take a minute to think of everything we don’t have recorded for us in this chapter, God’s secret providence starts to shine through. God sovereignly ordains so many events and lives in this chapter, both big and small, to bring Christ to us. Everything from the ruler of the Roman Empire proclaiming an edict for a census (vv. 1–7) to the long, expectant, faith-filled lives of Simeon and Anna (vv. 22–38) to the shepherds (vv. 8–20) and the temple-goers (vv. 41–51) who were in the right place at the right time to witness glorious things—all of these demonstrate God’s careful and comprehensive sovereignty over human history, all for the specific purpose of bringing about his redemptive plan. God is always actively at work. He doesn’t take his foot off the gas or coast. His plan is being accomplished, and every believer can take comfort in that.

Who is this Jesus that has been born? He is good news that brings great joy (v. 10), the Savior and the long-awaited Messiah (vv. 11, 26), the one who brings peace between God and man (v. 14), the light for revelation for the Gentiles (v. 32a), the glory that Israel has longed to see (v. 32b), someone who would bring division (v. 34), the redeemer (v. 38), and the son of the Father (v. 49). One writer, Ralph Davis, uses verse 11 to summarize everything that is taught about Jesus in this chapter. Jesus is the one who was promised (Christ, aka, Messiah), the one who was able (Lord), and the one who was needed (Savior). He is the long-awaited, all-powerful, redeemer for all people. So great is his coming that thousands of angels were needed to sing his praise and glory (vv. 13–14). And yet, so humble and lowly is his coming that he’s born as a crying baby and laid down in a food trough for animals, while the first people to know about it are rugged shepherds and elderly temple servants. What a humble beginning that perfectly captures how great of lengths Jesus went to in order to save us; it also perfectly captures the kind of people Jesus comes to save. He becomes low in order to save lowly people. When you think of what Jesus did on the earth, what comes to mind? Why did he come? For all of the impressive things he does, it all boils down to this: he makes peace between God and sinners and shines the light of eternal salvation. Is that what brings you joy in life? How can you cultivate joy in Jesus’ salvation in your life?