Grace Bible Church Gillette, Wyoming

1. [Lk 2:1] Caesar Augustus (63 BC - 14 AD) was the founder of the Roman Empire and the first Roman Emperor. He was born Caius Octavius and grand-nephew of Julius Caesar. Following Julius Caesar’s assignation, being named his adopted son and heir, Octavius came to power. He was later given with the honorary name “Augustus,” which means, “exalted one” and included religious veneration. He initiated Rome’s “Pax Romana” (Roman Peace) which preserved a two-century era of relative orderly peace within and without the Empire.

2. A “decree” (dogma - imperial declaration, cf. Ac 17:7; Col 2:14) was given by Caesar Augustus to take a census of the “inhabited earth” (i.e. “Roman world”). Previously, Palestine was exempt from the census because they were excluded from military service in the Roman army. However, this new census would include Palestine so that in the future, poll taxes could be taken. The forthcoming censuses and taxes would give way to Jewish hostility against Roman oppression.

3. [Lk 2:2] Some have disparaged Luke’s historical account, due in part to a later date for Quirinius recorded by Josephus. However, archaeology gives evidence that Quirinius may have been governor of Syria twice. The first term would support Luke’s account and the second would affirm Josephus’ account that included a Jewish uprising against the Romans.

4. Caesar Augustus made his decree in approx. 8 BC, but it was not carried out until 6-4 BC, the approx. dating of Jesus’ birth.

5. [Lk 2:3] Following the decree of the census, those living in Palestine (Jews), went to the city that corresponded with their Jewish tribe.

6. [Lk 2:4] Since Joseph was from the “house and family” of David (Mt 1:6 cf. Mt 1:16, 20), he went to the city of David, Bethlehem (1Sa 17:12; 20:6).

7. [Lk 2:5] While some may suggest that it was necessary to bring one’s wife to the imperial registration or that Joseph had no other choice because she was about to deliver, it seems more plausible that Mary herself was from the line of David. This would be true if Luke’s genealogy refers to Mary’s lineage from David (cf. Lk 3:23 cf. Lk 3:31).

8. It is an understatement to say that a journey some 70 miles through mountainous terrain with a pregnant woman in full term would be difficult.

9. The term “engaged” (or betrothed, mnāsteuō, Mt 1:18; Lk 1:27; Lk 2:5) was still in effect though Joseph had “taken Mary to be his wife (Mt 1:24). He had taken her into home but the marriage had not been consummated (Mt 1:25).

B. Human Circumstance Under Providence.

1. Little did any idea enter into Caesar’s head that he was accomplishing the purpose of God by bringing Mary to Bethlehem, at that particular time, so that her child might be born there. But God can accomplish the purpose of his providence, and of his grace, in any way that he pleases and although Caesar is not aware of all that is involved in his action, his decree, which he intends simply to be a means of registering his subjects, and of filling his [office], is to be overruled by God for the fulfillment of the prophecy [Micah 5:2 cf. Mt 2:5-6], uttered centuries before the event happened, that Christ must be born at Bethlehem. (Spurgeon’s Expositions in Luke 2:1-19).

2. Thus we see that the holy servants of God, even though they wander from their design, unconscious where they are going, still keep the right path, because God directs their steps. Nor is the Providence of God less wonderful in employing the mandate of a tyrant to draw Mary from home, that the prophecy may be fulfilled. (Calvin in loc.)

C. Ordinary Human Birth (Lk 2:6-7)

1. [Lk 2:6] Mary was in the full term of her pregnancy and it was “completed” (pimplāmē - to be filled full) while they were in Bethlehem.

2. [Lk 2:7] Most of those traveling to Bethlehem would have been able to move in a far more rapid pace than Joseph and Mary. By the time they arrived at Bethlehem, the “inn” (kataluma - lodging place or guest chamber) was all filled.

3. When she gave birth to her “firstborn” son (prōtotokos - Why firstborn unless she later would have other children?), she “wrapped him in cloths” (sparganoō - strips of cloth with which to wrap infants cf. Eze 16:4).

4. She laid him in a “manger” (phatnā) which was a feeding trough for animals. This word also can mean a stall or stable (cf. Is 1:3; Lk 13:15) which has led to the idea that they stayed in a stable or manager. However, since many animal shelters were in rock-hewn caves, ancient tradition held that Jesus was born in a cave. While this is a possibility, Scripture gives no clear indication.

II. CLOTHED IN HUMANITY

A. The birth of our Savior was at most, ordinary. It was not a royal or kingly entrance as would have been universally fitting. Rather, it was into a poor family from Nazareth, whose circumstances surely brought disrespect wherever they went. The baby was delivered in a smelly animal shelter and/or a cold and dark rock-hewn cave. It commenced without doctors, anesthesia, nurses, or midwives; only her husband present. There was no baked-turkeys with dressing, carols, tinsel, or family reunion at this first “Christmas.” The only visitors they had were rough, smelly shepherds who had been out in the fields for weeks with their flocks. There lay the glorious Son of God wrapped in mere cloth strips and clothed in ordinary humanity.

B. Divine sovereignty brought about the Savior’s birth under ordinary circumstances. Why? It was to first show that the Son of God was truly clothed in humanity. In other words, it was to show that Christ fully identified with humanity so that He could humanity’s Savior.

C. It also gave evidence of the fact that Christ was as much human as any other ordinary human. 1) He was hungry (Mt 4:2), 2) He was thirsty (Jn 19:28; Jn 4:7), 3) He was fatigued and slept (Jn 4:6; Mk 4:38), 4) He exhibited compassion (Mt 9:36), 5) He exhibited emotions (Jn 11:33-35), 6) He experienced testing (He 4:15), He experienced limited human knowledge (Mt 24:36; cf. Jn 2:25).

III. PURPOSES FOR BEING CLOTHED IN HUMANITY

A. Reveal God: One of the purposes of Christ’s humanity was that the He would reveal and explain the invisible G Reveal God: One of the purposes of Christ’s humanity was that the He would reveal and explain the invisible God to mankind (Jn 1:18, exegeomai - explain, Eng. exegete, Heb 1:3; Col 1:15; Jn 14:7-9).

B. Fulfill the Davidic Covenant: In 2Sa 7:13, David was promised that his descendant would sit on the throne of David forever. Jesus, a physical descendant of David, is the promised Messiah who will fulfill that promise (Luk 1:31-33; Re 20:4).

C. Destroy the Works of the Devil: Jesus’ death is linked with removing the devil’s advantage over man. Having become a man and dying for man, Jesus destroyed the works of the devil (He 2:14 cp. 1Jn 3:8).

D. Sympathetic High Priest: Because Christ took on humanity, He can be the believer’s high priest and can also be sympathetic to his temptations (He 4:14-16).

E. Perfect Mediator: The perfect mediator is one who represents both sides. As the God-Man, Christ Himself is the reconciliation between of God and man (1Ti 2:5; 2Co 5:18-19).

F. Provide a Sacrifice for Sin: God cannot die; therefore, God the Son took on humanity so that He could taste death for everyone (He 2:9; 10:10).

G. We see, at the same time, what sort of beginning the life of the Son of God had, and in what cradle he was placed. Such was his condition at his birth, because he had taken upon him our flesh for this purpose, that he might, empty himself (Phi 2:7) on our account. When he was thrown into a stable, and placed in a manger, and a lodging refused him among men, it was that heaven might be opened to us, not as a temporary lodging, but as our eternal country and inheritance... Calvin

Grace Bible Church · 4000 E. Collins Rd · PO Box #3762 · Gillette, WY · (307) 686-1516