The Revealing Luke 2 1-16

Read the passage: Luke 2

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke+2&version=ASV

          the hard part of man’s identity, the blessed hope to the offender:

1. Exchanging the security of heaven for the instability of earth.
   (Phil 2: 5-8- But made Himself of no reputation and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
   Fully subjecting Himself to earthly perils, man’ s injustices, and sin’s degradations
   Matt. 2
   In so doing bringing heaven’s security to men who would but place their trust in Jesus.
   
   
2. Exposing the Son of heaven to the rule of earth. 
   (Luke 1: 26-35- the virgin birth)
   (Luke 2: 1-5- the governing of men-And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.)
   
   
3. Overshadowing man’s passive indifference and decadence of heart with the virtue of humility and the presentation of true life to come through the name of Jesus.
   (Luke 2: 6, 7 - ...because there was no room for them in the inn.)
   
   
4. The showering of glory depicting the generosity of heaven to the heart perfect in lowliness, in faith, in surrender.
   (Luke 2: 8- And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, shepherds keeping watch over their flock by night.)
   shepherds- servants; loyal to their task; humble, lowly ; illustrative of the house (sheep) of Israel; depicting the message of Psalms 23; presenting the need of sheep and the care of shepherding;
   
   
5. Yet heaven’s knowledge that without Jesus coming to earth, man has absolutely no hope in himself.
   (Luke 2: 10-12- And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.)
   
   
6. The patient enduring of God while men of all ages accept or reject God’s glory. 
   (Luke 2: 14- Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.)
   (v.16- And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.)
   The tenure of eternity in heaven or hell awaits mens’ human choices and experience.
   
   
7. There is an enduring glory reserved unto God Himself for all of eternity.
   (Luke 2 14- Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.)
   (John 17: 5- And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.)