Member Login | Not a FREE member yet? Sign Up Here!

A Layman's Commentary on the Gospel of Luke: Lesson I, Part V
By: T.O.D. Johnston

Verses 8-20. The Shepherds of Bethlehem.
Luke recounts this event in a direct and matter of fact way, though it was a truly miraculous event. After the Son of God was born, God wanted to announce and bring notice of this incarnation, His only begotten Son. It is only appropriate that God would again use heavenly messengers to do so. They were sent to a group of simple shepherds and later to a few wise men from the east (Matthew 2).

Verse 8. In fields like those that David kept sheep, was a small group of shepherds looking after their flocks overnight.

Verse 9. Suddenly, an angel appeared near them, radiating God’s glory. The shepherds were afraid of this sudden appearance.

Verses 10,11. The first words of the angel are ‘fear not’. But he goes on to explain the reason that they were not to fear - because of the glorious news that the promised Messiah has been born. This was a message to bring joy to all those who longed for His coming. He is Christ, the Lord, the Anointed One, the Messiah of God, His only begotten Son, the Great Prophet, Priest, and King, the Savior of the World.

Verse 12. The angel tells them where to find the Holy Child. He would not be found in fancy and well-prepared comfort, but in the feedbox of an animal wrapped in scraps of clothing. No other baby in Bethlehem would be found thus. Therefore they could be certain when they found Him lying in the manger.

Verse 13. All at once there appeared a host of angels with the messenger. They immediately begin to praise God for what He has done: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, among men, who are pleasing to God.” Only God is worthy of praise for this unique event. The peace which was brought by Jesus was the inner peace with God which is spread abroad in their hearts by the Holy Spirit, which is naturally to a peaceful attitude in dealing with their fellow man. Only those redeemed by God through Christ would have this peace as children of God.

Verse 15. The heavenly host, though appearing suddenly, departed gradually, so that the shepherds could watch them ascending to heaven. By all this, the shepherds would have no doubt that God had sent these celestial messengers; therefore, their message must be true.

Verse 16. They quickly make their way to Bethlehem. The details of time elapsed in their search is neither recorded nor essential. The point was that they did find Joseph and Mary, and the Holy Child in a manger.

Verse 17. Because these shepherds are the first to receive the glad tidings, they in turn become the first proclaimers of what they had seen and heard to anyone they came in contact with.

Verses 18,19. We are told that Mary kept all these events and pondered them in her heart. All added to the original message given to her by Gabriel, to show the genuine truth of that message, and to give her understanding of the divine glory of her child. It is most likely that these details were told to Luke by Mary herself.

Verse 20. The shepherds found the child as described by the heavenly host, and left glorifying God as the source of everything that had happened. Only through the coming of Christ could men approach God without fear.

Jesus came from the unseen world, and returned to it. His dominion includes the whole created universe and includes mercy and loving-kindness towards His Redeemed Ones.

Verses 21-40. Jesus Dedicated and Circumcised, Simeon and Anna.
These verses show how central the revelation of the promised Redeemer was throughout the Old Testament Scriptures. From the birth of Jesus onward we see this close relationship of the Old Testament to the New Testament.

Verse 21. “When the fulness of time had come God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem them that were under the law.” - Galatians 4:4.

In order to fulfill all righteousness, Jesus was obligated to perform all the requirements of the Law. The eighth day circumcision and the purification after a birth required sacrifices and the sprinkling of blood. This was because each human being was born in sin. That this was done also to Jesus was to show submission to the Law, identifying Himself with His people. Later He was to receive the baptism of John.

The name Jesus (Jehovah the Savior) is given at the circumcision of the child as commanded by God through Gabriel.

Verses 22-24. According to Leviticus 12, a woman was ceremonially impure for 40 days after a birth. The child also goes through this purification. After the 40 day period a lamb as a burnt offering, and a pigeon as a sin offering were to be brought to the temple. Poor people were allowed to bring a pigeon in place of the lamb. Joseph and Mary showed their economic situation by bringing two pigeons. The sacrifices symbolized the penalty of sin as death. The animal took the guilt and penalty to cover the guilt and penalty of the one who brings the sacrifice. This always had to be done for a first-born son. (Exodus 13.)

The blessed couple also brought the baby Jesus to present Him to the Lord, and consecrate Him to the service of God. Never before was this consecration fulfilled so perfectly as in the life of Jesus. From the beginning Jesus submitted to God’s will, completely and voluntarily.

Verse 25. Even during such dark days as were then experienced by the nation of Israel, there were nevertheless a remnant of true believers who were praying for and yearning for the coming of Messiah. Of the devout people in Jerusalem at that time was the faithful Simeon. He was continually inspired by the Holy Spirit, and he was told that he would not die before he sees the promised Redeemer.

Verses 27,28. Under the guidance of the Spirit, he went to the Temple before Joseph and Mary brought the Holy Child. When they arrive to fulfill the customs of the Law, Simeon takes the Child into his arms and praises God for this great blessing granted him.

Verses 29-32. His words echo those of a servant who was commissioned by his master to watch for the coming One, and when that One arrived then he would be through with his work and he could go in peace, as God had promised.

Simeon had been told to wait for the rising of the “Sun of righteousness” (Malachi 4:2). Now that He held the Child, he looked upon the redemption of God incarnate in Jesus Christ. This salvation God has prepared to be observed, and offered to all people, not just the nation of Israel. The whole world sits in the darkness of ignorance, sin, and hopelessness. Jesus will bring light that all may be able to see the glorious privilege of forgiveness and salvation even to the Gentiles.

In the course of time it will be seen that the glory of Israel comes from the Messiah being promised, prophesied, and prepared for, in the line of David, in the town of Bethlehem.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleJoe.com

The author taught from the Gospel of Luke at Paran Baptist Church on Highway 341 / Johnsonville Hwy in Lake City, South Carolina. This commentary is based on the notes he took in preparation for the lessons. He now enjoys spending his time with his family, and at his art studio on 118 Sauls St., Lake City, South Carolina. The above lesson was excerpted from his online Holy Bible Commentaries.

Please Rate this Article

Not yet Rated