Reading the Bible Everyday; Luke 2

Joy: You’re listening to the Lifting Her Voice podcast, Episode Number 46.  Today we’ll read the 2nd chapter of Luke together:  The most famous Christmas account; Gabriel uses shepherds as witnesses; and 12-year-old Jesus was already about his father’s business.

Welcome to the Lifting Her Voice podcast.  I’m your host, Joy Miller, and I invite you to grab your Bible and join me as we simply read God’s word together.  Some things require discipline and sometimes that’s just not easy to muster by yourself, no matter how badly you want to do it or how much you know you should.  It’s just easier to do it with a friend.  So refill your coffee or tea, get comfortable in your favorite chair and follow along as I read aloud.  I’m so glad you’re here!

Any of the kids I teach in Sunday School will tell you that I frequently ask them if they want to learn a church word.  You all know what a church word is, right?  We go to church, hear a word or phrase from the pulpit or a Bible study, and have no idea really what it is.  For years, “Synoptic Gospels” was one of those phrases for me.  It sounds fancy, but it’s really not.  It just simply refers to the first three Gospel accounts.  The first three Gospels: Matthew, Mark and Luke, are amazingly similar.  But John is noticeably different.  You’ll see when we get there.  It’s helpful to break down the word “synoptic”:  syn = similar; optic = seeing.  These three writers see and report the story of Jesus pretty much the same.  So when you hear the phrase “Synoptic Gospels”, it’s just talking about Matthew, Mark and Luke!

Luke Chapter 2:   1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus 14; also known as Octavian, he established the peaceful era known as the Pax Romana; Caesar was a title of Roman emperors. that the whole empire should be registered. 2 This first registration took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David, 5 to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 Then she gave birth to her firstborn Son, and she wrapped Him snugly in cloth and laid Him in a feeding trough-because there was no room for them at the inn. 8 In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: 11 today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David. 12 This will be the sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped snugly in cloth and lying in a feeding trough.” 13 Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: 14 Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people He favors! 15 When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the feeding trough. 17 After seeing [them], they reported the message they were told about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had seen and heard, just as they had been told. 21 When the eight days were completed for His circumcision, He was named JESUS-the name given by the angel before He was conceived. 22 And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were finished, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord 23 (just as it is written in the law of the Lord: Every firstborn male will be dedicated to the Lord ) 24 and to offer a sacrifice (according to what is stated in the law of the Lord: a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons ). 25 There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking forward to Israel’s consolation, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he saw the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Guided by the Spirit, he entered the temple complex. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform for Him what was customary under the law, 28 Simeon took Him up in his arms, praised God, and said: 29 Now, Master, You can dismiss Your slave in peace, according to Your word. 30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation. 31 You have prepared [it] in the presence of all peoples- 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory to Your people Israel. 33 His father and mother were amazed at what was being said about Him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and told His mother Mary: “Indeed, this child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be opposed- 35 and a sword will pierce your own soul-that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” 36 There was also a prophetess, Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well along in years, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and was a widow for 84 years. She did not leave the temple complex, serving God night and day with fasting and prayers. 38 At that very moment, she came up and began to thank God and to speak about Him to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. 39 When they had completed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 The boy grew up and became strong, filled with wisdom, and God’s grace was on Him. 41 Every year His parents traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival. 42 When He was 12 years old, they went up according to the custom of the festival. 43 After those days were over, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but His parents did not know it. 44 Assuming He was in the traveling party, they went a day’s journey. Then they began looking for Him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for Him. 46 After three days, they found Him in the temple complex sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all those who heard Him were astounded at His understanding and His answers. 48 When His parents saw Him, they were astonished, and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for You.” 49 “Why were you searching for Me?” He asked them. “Didn’t you know that I had to be in My Father’s house?” 50 But they did not understand what He said to them. 51 Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them. His mother kept all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and with people.

After 400 years of silence, God invaded that generation of Israelites in a spectacular way.  Can you imagine being shepherd, sitting in the quiet vastness of a hillside in Israel, living one more night that was just like the night before, and hundreds of others just like that one, when suddenly that sky lights up and an angel appears with a loud voice and tells of the birth of the savior that Israel had been looking forward to since Moses predicted his coming way back in Deuteronomy?  And don’t think these angels are precious little cute things that our society has made them.  They were big and strong, especially Gabriel.  When he spoke, he commanded attention.  And then a whole host of angels, like a big choir I guess, shows up singing praises to God Almighty!  Yes, I think I would have left the sheep that night, to go and investigate too.  And did you notice that everyone who heard the shepherds retelling the story were amazed?  This was one of the ways we know we can believe this story.  How?  Let’s just say that if someone wanted to lie and make up a story about the birth of Jesus, they wouldn’t have sent the message through shepherds!  They weren’t exactly high society.  Quite the opposite.  Let’s pray.  Oh Father, isn’t it just like you to do things in just the opposite fashion that the world would?  You confound the wise and shame the strong.  The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing.  The only thing we have left is faith, and that is just where we need to be.  Thank you for Jesus, Father.  Amen. 

Thank you for joining me here today.  I pray God will grow in you what has been planted and watered here.  In this time of unprecedented struggle worldwide, we can look to God for guidance and comfort.  Be sensitive to those in your circle of influence who need a word of encouragement and invite them to join us.  If you like this show, it would be great if you give it a five-star review.  Don’t forget to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.  See you right here tomorrow.  Be well!