Luke 2 Lesson

THE THOROUGHNESS OF LUKE

As you read Luke’s Gospel, you will begin to appreciate how thorough he was in his writing. 

Luke was concerned with the:

• Who,
• What,
• When,
• Where,
• And why, more so than any other gospel writer. 

It was common for Luke to reference historical events of the time so that historians would be able to validate the accuracy of his writings. 

For example, Luke made it a point to include the following verse in his writings:

• “This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.” – Luke 2:2. 

Knowing this, if we can identify the years that Quirinius was governor of Syria, and when the first census was taken, we know the year that Jesus, Joseph, and Mary headed to Bethlehem.   

Luke’s writing is a blessing for all of us who study God’s Word! 

If it is details that you are seeking, Luke's Gospel is for you!

JESUS CAME FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

Luke Chapter 2 begins with Joseph and Mary departing Nazareth and beginning their 80-mile journey to Bethlehem. 

They were making this journey because a decree had gone out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 

This would be similar to today’s census, although it was done in person.  One of the primary purposes of the decree was to create a systematic way for the Roman Empire to collect taxes. 

While Mary and Joseph were in Bethlehem, Mary gave birth to Jesus. 

There was no room for Jesus in the inn, so Mary wrapped Jesus in torn clothes and laid Him in a manger. 

To say that Jesus came from humble beginnings would be an understatement!  

Mangers were used to feed animals in those days.  Sleeping in a manger used to feed animals was a humble way for the Son of Man to begin His time on Earth.

This makes sense.

Throughout His life, Jesus would spend His time doing two things:

1. Glorifying God,
2. Serving others.

SHEPHERDS OBEDIENCE

Later in his Gospel, Luke tells the story of some shepherds staying out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock:

• An angel of the Lord shone around them and said, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”  And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” – Luke 2:10-14.

The shepherds had tender hearts and were immediately receptive to the message that they heard. 

Because the angel said, “You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger,” we can deduce that the angel called on them to head to Bethlehem to see the baby Jesus.

Here we see that the shepherds were obedient to God's commands.

Compare that to Zacharias Luke 1:5-20 who doubted God and was punished for it, and we see how important it is to God that we are obedient to Him and that we keep His commandments.

Consider Jesus’ words in the following scripture:

• “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” – John 14:15.

Jesus tells us Himself that the way we show our love for Him, and His Father, is by keeping Their commandments.

Further into Luke’s Gospel, we read the following statement made by the shepherds:

• “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” – Luke 2:15. 

Here, they obey the angel of the Lord, and they end up meeting with Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. 

They told them what the angel of the Lord had told them and “Mary treasured all these things.” 

Luke's detailed account says that the shepherds:

• “Went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.” – Luke 2:20.

This had to be a life-changing series of events for those tender-hearted shepherds. 

Over a brief period of time, they experienced four amazing things:

1. A message was delivered to them by an angel of the Lord,
2. A multitude of heavenly hosts appeared to them praising God,
3. They journeyed to Bethlehem to find the baby Jesus,
4. They met Jesus, Joseph, and Mary.

CONCLUSION

When we are obedient to God’s commands, His plan unfolds perfectly, and amazing things happen!

The prophet Jeremiah wrote about this in the following scripture:

• “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11.

If we think back to the events of Luke Chapter 2, we see how they were all part of God’s plan:

1. God inspired the shepherds by sending His angel to them along with a multitude of heavenly hosts, 
2. The angel of the Lord compelled the shepherds to see Jesus in Bethlehem and to share with Joseph and Mary their story,
3. Mary’s heart was warmed by what she heard.  

Because of their obedience, the shepherds, Mary, and Joseph all have their stories recorded forever in the Bible.

How about us? 

Are we obedient to God’s commands?

Do we sometimes pick and choose which commands we obey?

God does not want us to have a lukewarm faith.

He wants us to love Him with all our:

1. Hearts,
2. Souls,
3. Minds,
4. And strength. (Mark 12:30)

Every day we have a choice to make.

Are we going to obey God and follow His commandments?

Or are we going to rebel and follow the evil ways of the world?

God gives us that free will.

As we continue our study of the Gospel of Luke, keep looking for examples of how those who obey God's commandments are blessed spiritually, and how those who do not are punished.   

Look to identify ways in your own life where you can be more obedient to God.

If you do, you will be blessed!

We will end today’s lesson with the following scripture:

• “He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.” -John 14:21.