Dec 25, 2022
Luke 2:22-35
The Consequence of the Incarnation
1. Divine choreography, v. 27
* David & Goliath- “take these cheeses to your brothers”
* Moses & burning bush- “Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law Jethro…”
* Healing of blind man- “One day Peter and John were going up to the temple…"
2. The universal reach of the Gospel, v. 32
“And now the Lord says, he who formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him; and that Israel might be gathered to him— for I am honored in the eyes of the Lord, and my God has become my strength— he says: “It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”
-Isaiah 49:5-6
a) a light for revelation to the Gentiles
b) glory for your people Israel
3. Consequences for everyone, v. 33-35
Four consequences from the text…
a) the fall and rising of many in Israel
“I guess that’s what happens when he chases you down. Everything is different there’s a new me in town. I don’t wake up angry at the mirror on the wall.
So if you miss the old me that’s Jesus’ fault.”
-Walker Hayes
b) a sign that is opposed
“Father, make of me a crisis man. Bring those I contact to decision. Let me not be a milepost on a single road; make me a fork, that men must turn one way
or another on facing Christ in me.”
-Jim Elliott
c) a sword will pierce through your own soul
“When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his garments and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier; also his tunic. But the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom, so they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.” This was to fulfill the Scripture which says, “They divided my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.” So 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 saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!”
-John 19:23-26
d) the thoughts from many hearts will be revealed
Mental worship…
What three words best describe your life as this year winds down?
Did anything happen to you this year that was a consequence of you believing the Gospel?
What would your reputation be if the thoughts of your heart were revealed?
How often do you find yourself trying to make something happen instead of simply trusting what God is doing even if you can’t see it?