Luke Part 1 Week 8

Day 1 

RECEIVE 

Luke 2:1-2 

¹ At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. ² (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 

This passage reveals how the sovereign God used even unbelievers to accomplish His will. It tells of the world power at that time. The emperor wanted the then-known world to be taxed to raise money for what he desired to do, likely for his armies. This is the only time Quirinius is mentioned in the Bible.  

REFLECT 

Have you thought how the sovereignty of God could use even unbelievers to accomplish His will? You will be encouraged as you read on in Luke 2. 

RESPOND 

Visit with a friend about the prophecy in Micah 5:2 about where Jesus would be born. Then discuss how God might get Mary and Joseph from Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem in Judea so He could be born there.  

Day 2 

RECEIVE 

Luke 2:3-5 

³ All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. ⁴ And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. ⁵ He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child. 

God used the unbelieving Roman emperor to make a decree for people to register so they could be taxed. Joseph was a descendant of King David. This meant he needed to go to Bethlehem, David’s ancient home, to register. Mary went with him although she was nearing the time of the birth for her baby.  

REFLECT 

Think how difficult it would have been for Mary to accompany Joseph on this long trip down to Bethlehem. Nearing childbirth and with no convenient modern transportation as we have today, it had to be a painful trip for her. 

RESPOND 

Join with a friend in looking at some Bible maps. Locate Nazareth in Galilee in the north and Bethlehem in Judea in the south. Often when the Bible tells of “going down” or “going up” it has to do with altitude, not direction. Jerusalem was in the hill country and one of the highest points in the land so one either went down or up in regard to it.  

Day 3 

RECEIVE 

Luke 2:6-7 

⁶ And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. ⁷ She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them. 

Notice that the baby was referred to as Mary’s “firstborn son.” This indicates there were other children who followed after the virgin birth. Some refer to the “perpetual virginity” of Mary. The Bible does not support this view. Jesus was born in a stable and then placed in a manger. It is not correct to say He was born in a manger. 

REFLECT 

Think of the humble surroundings of the stable and even the trough where the livestock fed. The creator of the universe was born in the most humble settings. 

RESPOND 

Examine the Bible that seems to refer to other children born to Mary and Joseph after the virgin birth. Read Mark 6:1-3. These brothers would be considered “half-brothers.” Notice “sisters” are also mentioned but they are never named.  

Day 4 

RECEIVE 

Luke 2:8-10 

⁸ That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. ⁹ Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, ¹⁰ but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.” 

Shepherds were some of the lowliest people at the time. The sheep they were guarding are thought by some to be sheep that would later be offered for sacrifice. The shepherds literally “feared a great fear” according to the Greek text. The angel said the good news was for “all people.” The Greek text has “all the people.” When the definite article (the) is used it refers to the Jewish people, even though Jesus came to die for all the world.  

REFLECT 

Imagine the fear you would experience if you were out on a hillside and heard an announcement from an angel.  

RESPOND 

Be reminded of what the apostle John expressed in 1 John 2:1-2. Jesus did not die for only a select few; His death was for “all the world.” It is applied, however, only to those who trust in Him as Savior (see John 1:10-13; 3:16-18). 

Day 5 

RECEIVE 

Luke 2:11-12 

^{11 “}The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! ¹² And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” 

The angel continued telling the shepherds about this baby who had been born. The angel even told them how they would recognize the baby to whom he was referring. He said, “You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” These shepherds likely did not pay much attention to babies, but this would be a special one. Would they go to look at Him? 

REFLECT 

In the culture where you live do they snugly wrap a baby when it first comes out of the womb?  

RESPOND 

Notice the angel referred to the Savior as “the Messiah, the Lord.” The word Messiah refers to an anointed one, and it was and is interchangeable with “the Christ.”  Saying “Jesus the Christ” is the same as saying, “Jesus the Messiah.” He was promised particularly to Israel, but is the Savior of the world for all who will believe.