THE BIRTH OF JESUS

SERMON TEXT: “Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn” (Luke 2:1-7). 

SERMON THESIS: Jesus came to this world to become one of us so that we could become like Him.

INTRODUCTION: How has the birth of Jesus impacted your life? Some questions for us to consider... Has the birth of Jesus impacted your worship habits? Did the birth of Jesus have any affect on the person you chose as your lifetime mate? For those of you who are not yet married–Will it? Has the birth of Jesus impacted your business practices? Has the birth of Jesus made a difference in the career you chose, or will be choosing? Has the birth of Jesus affected the way in which you behave towards other people? Has the birth of Jesus affected the places you go...the music you listen to...the movies you watch? Has the birth of Jesus impacted your life? If so, in what ways?

For Mary, the mother of Jesus, His birth impacted her life in significant ways as seen in the Scripture written about her. First,

I. HIS BIRTH LEFT HER WITH MUCH TO PONDER.

 It was during the shepherds’ visit at the stable that the Bible records these words, “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart”(Luke 2:19). To ponder means to “think deeply.” She must have thought deeply about the things that were happening to her as a result of her baby’s birth, and she hid those memories deeply in her heart. Memories like...giving birth to her son in a stinky old stable/cave...memories like the visit of the shepherds...the support and understanding her husband, Joseph, gave her prior to and during the time she was giving birth to her son...the visit of the wise men who brought their gifts from afar...her son’s first steps...the first words He spoke...the first time He mashed his finger while helping his father, Joseph, in the carpenter shop...

The list would go on and on, I am sure, as Mary, the mother of Jesus, treasured and pondered things in her heart.

What about you and me? Do we ever “think deeply” about Jesus? About who He is and why He was born in a stable? Do we consider the cross and are we reminded of the pain He suffered for our sakes? How has the birth of Jesus impacted our thinking? Has the birth of Jesus given you much to ponder, i.e., to think deeply about? Have we, like Mary, treasured up all the things about Jesus and pondered them in our hearts? Have we like the Psalmist, treasured His words in our hearts that we may not sin against Him (Psalm 119:11 - paraphrased). Are we treasuring His Word in our hearts?

Or, are we like the millions who will view the nativity and thus romanticize the whole idea of the meaning of Christmas; walk on by and simply forget the true meaning of it all?

The birth of Jesus left Mary with much to treasure and ponder in her heart. What about you and me, has the birth of Jesus left us with much to ponder.

From the time Jesus was born until He began His public ministry, little was written about Him. However, the one who knew Him best, and loved Him most, was Mary, His mother. His birth left her with much to ponder. How has the birth of Jesus impacted your life?

Not only did the birth of Jesus leave Mary with much to ponder...

II. HIS BIRTH LEFT HER WITH MUCH TO TREASURE.

For whatever reason, God’s Word reveals very little to us in Scripture about the life of Jesus from the time of His birth until we catch up with Joseph, Mary, and Jesus, at the age of twelve in the temple. Prior to that time, however, following the time of Jesus’ dedication in the temple, the Bible says...

“When they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city of Nazareth. The Child continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him” (Luke 2:39-40). 

It was twelve years after His birth that we find Jesus in the temple “ ...sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions” (Luke 2:46). It was on this occasion, having been separated from their son for three days, that Mary ask her son...

“Son, why have You treated us this way? Behold, Your father and I have been anxiously looking for You.” And He said to them, “Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father's house?” But they did not understand the statement which He had made to them. And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and He continued in subjection to them; and His mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men” (Luke 2:48-52). 

Note the phrase, “But his mother treasured all these things in her heart” (v. 51). The word treasure, according to Webster, means, to value greatly; cherish. For twelve years, from the time of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem, until his appearance in a Jerusalem temple at age twelve, Mary was filling her treasure chest with beautiful memories of her son. By the time of Jesus’ arrival on the scene some eighteen years later, as He began His public ministry, Mary, the mother of Jesus, would have much more to ponder and treasure. All the while, God, the Father, has been watching His Son grow strong; obeying His earthly parents, being filled with wisdom, with the grace of God upon Him, and following His baptism by John, in the River of Jordan, the Father could say...

“This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17).

Scripture does not record these words, but I can imagine that Mary, could have also said, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

My! My! By this time, Mary, indeed, had much to treasure. At the outset of His public ministry, the Heavenly Father was well pleased with His Son, and so was Mary, His mother.

What about you and me? Has the birth of Jesus, and now His life, as described in Scripture left us with much to treasure? Do we value greatly our relationship with Him? Do we cherish Him? How has the birth of Jesus impacted your life and mine?

Not only did the birth of Jesus leave Mary with much ponder and much to treasure...

III. HIS BIRTH LEFT HER WITH MUCH TO SUFFER.

It was in the temple, at Jesus dedication, only eight days after His birth, that Simeon spoke these words to Mary...

“And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed– and a sword will pierce even your own soul--to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed” (Luke 2:33-35). 

One of the most moving scenes, for me, in the viewing of The Passion of The Christ, was when Mary had a flashback about Jesus’ boyhood days. Being led to Calvary, to be crucified, as a lamb Jesus is lead to the slaughter, in one of the final scenes, Jesus falls beneath the cross. Immediately, in the film, Mary sees Jesus, as a little boy running down the path, and falling down, she immediately runs to Him and comforts Him by taking Him in her arms. Now she is depicted as a mother with a breaking heart, but unable to come to His rescue as she did when He was a little boy. She could not take Him in her arms and comfort Him.

In reality, it must have been times and events like these in the life of Jesus, that Mary treasured and pondered in her heart.

The birth of Jesus, did in fact, leave Mary with much to suffer. Mary’s role in the drama of salvation history has been described in different ways by many different writers. Where the suffering of Mary is concerned, one writer said it like this,

“If some have exaggerated the role of Mary, others have dismissed her great acts of faith and her essential part in the gospel of the Word of God. Our familiarity with Luke’s Christmas story is often overladen with later romantic ideas about Christianity. The reality of suffering and deprivation at His birth was as real as that at His death.”

Someone else has written, “...And that cross (like his death - writers insertion) is still impacting all who will look and live.” - Charles Swindoll

One of the most moving scenes ever to unfold in the drama of salvation history is to see Mary, the mother of Jesus, and the other women, along with John, Jesus’ beloved disciple, standing at the cross, as described in Scripture...

“Therefore the soldiers did these things. But standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother, and His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus then saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” From that hour the disciple took her into his own household” (John 19:25-27 

Jesus’ death on the cross was the worst suffering of all for Mary, the mother of Jesus, this is the point at which Simeon’s prophecy became a reality to her, as the Sword of suffering pierced her heart. Jesus, being the loving, caring Son, He was, however, did not leave her alone in her suffering–He gave her another son, in John, to take care of her. Jesus will never leave us alone in our suffering.

Yes, my friends, Jesus’ birth left Mary with much to suffer. How has His birth impacted our lives in the area of suffering? Before answering that question, let’s see how His suffering has impacted others...

About Peter and the apostles, the Bible says...

“So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name” (Acts 5:41). 

Tradition has it that Peter later became a martyr and was crucified upside down...

About children of God, Paul wrote...

“The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him” (Romans 8:16-17). 

The apostle Paul goes on to write...

“...that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death” (Phil. 3:10). 

“Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions” (Col. 1:24). 

“...but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler” (I Peter 4:13-15). 

Thus the question: How has the birth of Jesus impacted your life in the area of suffering? Are you and I willing to suffer for the cause of Christ as did Mary, the mother of Jesus? Someone has asked this question, “Have we counted the cost, and are we solemnly ready to suffer worldly loss for the Master’s sake? The future gain will be an abundant recompense for Egypt’s (earthly) treasures are not to be compared with the glory to be revealed.”

CONCLUSION: To be a follower of Christ does not immune one from suffering, but once again in the words of Paul, “...we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him”(Romans 8:17). Saved person, are you willing to take up your cross today and suffer with Him. Lost person, do you want the birth of Jesus to impact your life? Well, it already has. The same cross that can save you has already passed the sentence of judgment upon you. But the birth of Jesus can impact you in a positive way today. The moment you trust Him as your Savior, you can say with Paul...

“Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). 

“...nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:39). 

The Choice is yours!!