2024 Christmas, Glory and Peace are in Giving and Giving Up
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2024-12-22 15:45
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Glory to God, Peace To men in Jesus
Luke 2:1-20
The history is divided into two parts, B.C. and A.D. B.C is before Christ. A.D is Anno Domini, the year of the Lord referring to years after the birth of Jesus. Since Jesus’ birth, the truly meaningful history has begun. It means that Jesus is the center of history and man’s life. The first commandment of the Old Testament is only God. The New Testament is only Jesus.
First, Divine Providence
Look at verses 1, 3. “In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. And everyone went to their own town to register.” Caesar Augustus was Gaius Octavius. He extended Roman world, westward to England and eastward to Asia Minor and to North Africa across the Mediterranean Sea. With the approval of the Roman Senate, he added the title Augustus, ‘Caesar Divi Filius’ meaning, ‘son of a god.’ Ironically in his time, the Son of God, Jesus was born.
Caesar Augustus ordered a census. It was to levy a head tax and for conscription to maintain the luxury of Rome. His power was so great that all the colonial people had to stop their works and go to their hometowns to register.
Verse 4 says, “So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.” Because of the decree of Roman emperor, Joseph and Mary had to travel 150 Km from Nazareth to Bethlehem. The road was bad and it took several days by donkey or camel. There was no reason for Joseph to travel to Bethlehem with Mary who was in her full term of pregnancy if there were no Caesar’s decree.
On the surface political reasons determine where Jesus is born but the ultimate cause is the God who controls history and who guarantees that the Messiah will be born in Bethlehem in accordance with OT prophecy (Micah 5;2).
If there were no Caesar’s decree, Joseph and Mary would have never gone there. God used Caesar’s decree as a tool to fulfill his will to save the world. God is behind Caesar’s actions. God is in control of all things. This is God’s sovereignty.
Joseph, a seventeen years old young man was sold by his half-brothers to Egypt as a slave. He shed bloody tears of betrayal, pain and despair. He was put in one of Pharaoh’s prisons after being falsely accused of assaulting his master’s wife. But there was God’s hand in his life to come close to Pharaoh that eventually he became the prime minister to save the world from famine and fulfill God’s prophecy.
Many say that history is too random and there are no any principles or direction. In a sense, this is true. Secular history is like a wave on the sea. When there is a big wind, the surface of the sea is roughly swayed. However, the flow of water under the sea is consistent.
Do you know what the main stream of the history is? Do you know where the history is headed for? It is Jesus’ Second Coming and the restoration of God’s kingdom. Those who know the stream of history are very keen and positive to God’s guidance in spite of their life circumstances and the world.
Therefore, when you are in Jesus, all your life events are in God’s good hand to fulfill his purpose. Your financial situation is also in God’s hands. No matter how hard you try, you may become poor. And you can become rich though you seem to have little resources. God is working behind the events to fulfill his purpose.
Therefore, Instead of thinking that you are a victim of the situation or you met a worst situation or worst guy, trust in God that He is using that man or that situation to fulfill his will in your life.
In all circumstances, have faith in the sovereignty of God. When you believe in God’s sovereignty and do your spiritual duty faithfully; worship, prayer and gospel work, the end of your life will be good and glorious.
Second, peace and glory
Caesar Augustus made a slogan, ‘Pax Romana,’ which translates to "Roman peace." However, Pax Romana was made by the bloody sacrifice and labor of slaves and heavy tax on the colonial people.
Pax Romana is made by money and military power. This is a fake peace. When our income is high, we feel peace. But when it decreases, we are troubled. Peace by money and human conditions is Pax Romana.
However, Jesus’ peace is from heaven. It is not from money but from love and forgiveness. This peace comes to us through Jesus who came as a baby.
Look at verse 11, 12. “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” The baby wrapped in clothes lying in a manger is the essence of peace.
Look at verse 13, 14. Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” When Jesus, the Son of God humbled himself to become a helpless baby and was laid in a manger, the heavenly hosts and angels were greatly moved that they shouted, “Glory to God and peace to men.”
We Christians are royal priests. We are made kings by the blood of Jesus Christ, the King of kings. We have received the grace of ten thousand talents (the salary for 200,000 years) from God. Then why do we hesitate to spend 500 denarii ($ 6oo) to help or serve the needy? Now, when you serve others with the grace of God, peace and glory come to you.
Pax Romana is, “Hey, I’m a senior and older than you, so you serve me.” But the peace of Jesus is, “I will humble myself and serve you and them.” Pax Romana is, “Hey, why should I use my money to serve you and them?” But the peace of Jesus is, “I use the money to serve my family and church.”
You have been called to be kingly priests. Where should you go? To a luxurious hotel or party? To a cool resort? No. Go to a manger, a lowly place. And serve there. Then peace and glory come to you. Peace and glory is not in the palace of Roman emperor or Pharisee’s academia or party but in Jesus’ manger. “I am a kingly priest, but I am going to a manger.” This is glory and peace.
Look at verse 12. “This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” The sign of the Lord and Savior is a baby lying in a manger. Christmas is about finding the baby Jesus. Christmas is about going to the manger and serving.
One example is the shepherds in this passage. Look at verse 8. “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.” During nights, while most are watching Neflix or playing computer games or searching YouTube at their cozy and warm rooms, some shepherds are out at night taking care of their flocks. This is the identity and mission of the shepherd. A truly good shepherd looks after his sheep regardless of time and place.
“Could you come out now?” “Well, what time is it now? It is 6 am. It is 10 pm! No.” If your child is very sick in the midnight, would you not take your child to the hospital right away? The sheep is sick or dying. A good shepherd is ready to take care of them anytime and anyplace.
Indeed, the angel’s Christmas message was given not to people like Caesar or the Pharisees but to some shepherds in the fields. The shepherds were lowly and unrecognized from but they were recognized and blessed by God because of their humble and faithful spirit to such small place, position and job without resentment or frustration. Peace and glory came to them.
We like glory. Now if you really want to know what glory is, learn from Jesus. In John 12:23, 24, Jesus said, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.” Was it time for him to be crowned? No. It was time for him to die on the cross. Glory came to Jesus when he obeyed God’s will to die on the cross. Glory comes when we die. “Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” When you die, you bear lots of fruit that last forever. What does it mean? What is the way for Christians to obtain glory? By carrying the cross and dying. When my false ego; greedy, disobedient, selfish and self-seeking ego dies, glory comes to us. And when we carry out our cross, worship, prayer and teach the Bible, glory comes to us.
Jesus, the Son of God, the Lord, King and Savior was not born in a palace or gorgeous hotel but born and laid in a manger. And he died on the cross to save all sinners. His humbleness, sacrifice and self-denial are glory. Christmas is the day of glory. Church should have glory. How? It is when Christians die. It is when they deny themselves and take up their cross. Then glory comes to church.
Look at verse 12b. “This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” The baby laid in a manger looks so vulnerable, weak and pathetic. However, read Isaiah 9:6. “For to us a baby is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Even though the baby laid in a manger looks so weak and poor, God's work begins like this. You shouldn't be disappointed by the wrapping paper. All gifts are wrapped. Man’s life is wrapped, sometimes by suffering, sometimes by insults and sometimes by poverty or failure.
Moses was 80 years old abandoned and forgotten shepherd in the wilderness. But the moment the word of God was planted in his heart, a new history was created. Your lives are the same. Is there anyone older than Moses? Is there anyone whose human condition is worse than him?
You may say, “I have nothing.” However, when the word of God is planted in you, you never know what will happen to you. Are you saying that you cannot live a glorious and fruitful life because you are young or you have no career or you have nothing?
Look! Jesus came as a baby laid in a manger. He gave up his heavenly glory and made himself nothing. (Phi 2:6-7). He didn’t just take a low place, but the lowest place. Jesus came to the world not to be served but to serve many.
At that time Caesar’s throne looked magnificent, powerful and glorious. Everyone wants to be invited by Caesar. And everyone wants to sit at the Caesar’s throne. On the other hand, Jesus’ manger looked so poor, weak and pathetic. But Caesar’s throne collapsed and disappeared because there was no spirit of humbleness, sacrifice and self-denial. But Jesus’ manger has been so holy and beautiful and has saved so many souls and given them eternal life because there are humbleness, sacrifice and self-denial in him.
Jesus’ life began in a manger and ended on a cross. Humanly speaking, Jesus was born and lived the most tragic way. But He has brought glory to God and peace to men. He gave up all the authority, power and honor of his heavenly kingdom and came to this world and be laid in a manger to save all the sorrowful, fatalistic and poor people.
It is easy to say ‘to give up.’ But it is not easy to give up. Many people want to give at first. But when they try to give or have to give, they are captivated by their selfishness and give up giving something.
I pray for Christian young people. I pray for them to learn from Jesus, manger’s spirit, humble spirit and giving spirit. Jesus says, “Give, and it will be given to you abundantly.” (Luke 6:38) Christmas’ meaning is giving and giving up. Jesus gave his life and gave up his heavenly majesty and glory to save sinners.
Peter gave up his worldly ambition for the kingdom of God. Paul gave up his brilliant titles for Jesus and world mission. One church brother gives a tithe every month though his income is not that much. May God bless you to learn the manger spirit that is giving and giving up. God changed human history not through Caesar’s throne but through Jesus’ manger. This is mystery. We understand when the Bible says, “God Almighty and Great.”
But “God is a God of small.” We tend to ignore small, but Jesus came as a small baby laid in a manger. King Herod, the Pharisees and the Jewish people despised Jesus. Why? It was because, to them, Jesus looked too small, no education, no social position, no good career and no security. He ate with socially nobodies. So, those who thought they were big and pursued big could not meet Jesus as their Savoir.
The world pursues greater and higher places. Those who have much are boastful and those who have less suffer from inferior complex. But in the course of pursuing big and great, people are easily lose peace.
Power and glory are not in the palace of Roman emperor or King Herod with luxury. It is in a manger with the spirit of humbleness and sacrifice. If you learn manger spirit, glory and peace come to you.
Third, salvation
Look at verses 10 “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy for all the people.” These days there is always bad news. Also, the good news to some people is bad news to others.
However, the angel said, “…I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” What is such good news of great joy in the world? Verse 11 says, “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”
Why is man miserable and unhappy? People think it is because of lack of money, security and recognition. But it is because of sin, death and judgment. If anyone wants to live a happy and meaningful life, he or she must solve sin, death and judgment problems. This is the reason why Jesus’ birth is good news of great joy. Jesus came to save us and give us eternal life. He came to make us rich with God’s blessings.
In Korean words, ‘salvation’ is ‘koo won.” It means $ 9. Most people who are attached to this world for their survival or success think of eternal life as worth less than $ 9. But it is not so. Your eternal destiny depends on your relationship with Jesus. May God bless you to have a great joy as you humbly accept Jesus, the Saviour King. Merry Christmas!
Luke 2:1-20
The history is divided into two parts, B.C. and A.D. B.C is before Christ. A.D is Anno Domini, the year of the Lord referring to years after the birth of Jesus. Since Jesus’ birth, the truly meaningful history has begun. It means that Jesus is the center of history and man’s life. The first commandment of the Old Testament is only God. The New Testament is only Jesus.
First, Divine Providence
Look at verses 1, 3. “In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. And everyone went to their own town to register.” Caesar Augustus was Gaius Octavius. He extended Roman world, westward to England and eastward to Asia Minor and to North Africa across the Mediterranean Sea. With the approval of the Roman Senate, he added the title Augustus, ‘Caesar Divi Filius’ meaning, ‘son of a god.’ Ironically in his time, the Son of God, Jesus was born.
Caesar Augustus ordered a census. It was to levy a head tax and for conscription to maintain the luxury of Rome. His power was so great that all the colonial people had to stop their works and go to their hometowns to register.
Verse 4 says, “So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.” Because of the decree of Roman emperor, Joseph and Mary had to travel 150 Km from Nazareth to Bethlehem. The road was bad and it took several days by donkey or camel. There was no reason for Joseph to travel to Bethlehem with Mary who was in her full term of pregnancy if there were no Caesar’s decree.
On the surface political reasons determine where Jesus is born but the ultimate cause is the God who controls history and who guarantees that the Messiah will be born in Bethlehem in accordance with OT prophecy (Micah 5;2).
If there were no Caesar’s decree, Joseph and Mary would have never gone there. God used Caesar’s decree as a tool to fulfill his will to save the world. God is behind Caesar’s actions. God is in control of all things. This is God’s sovereignty.
Joseph, a seventeen years old young man was sold by his half-brothers to Egypt as a slave. He shed bloody tears of betrayal, pain and despair. He was put in one of Pharaoh’s prisons after being falsely accused of assaulting his master’s wife. But there was God’s hand in his life to come close to Pharaoh that eventually he became the prime minister to save the world from famine and fulfill God’s prophecy.
Many say that history is too random and there are no any principles or direction. In a sense, this is true. Secular history is like a wave on the sea. When there is a big wind, the surface of the sea is roughly swayed. However, the flow of water under the sea is consistent.
Do you know what the main stream of the history is? Do you know where the history is headed for? It is Jesus’ Second Coming and the restoration of God’s kingdom. Those who know the stream of history are very keen and positive to God’s guidance in spite of their life circumstances and the world.
Therefore, when you are in Jesus, all your life events are in God’s good hand to fulfill his purpose. Your financial situation is also in God’s hands. No matter how hard you try, you may become poor. And you can become rich though you seem to have little resources. God is working behind the events to fulfill his purpose.
Therefore, Instead of thinking that you are a victim of the situation or you met a worst situation or worst guy, trust in God that He is using that man or that situation to fulfill his will in your life.
In all circumstances, have faith in the sovereignty of God. When you believe in God’s sovereignty and do your spiritual duty faithfully; worship, prayer and gospel work, the end of your life will be good and glorious.
Second, peace and glory
Caesar Augustus made a slogan, ‘Pax Romana,’ which translates to "Roman peace." However, Pax Romana was made by the bloody sacrifice and labor of slaves and heavy tax on the colonial people.
Pax Romana is made by money and military power. This is a fake peace. When our income is high, we feel peace. But when it decreases, we are troubled. Peace by money and human conditions is Pax Romana.
However, Jesus’ peace is from heaven. It is not from money but from love and forgiveness. This peace comes to us through Jesus who came as a baby.
Look at verse 11, 12. “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” The baby wrapped in clothes lying in a manger is the essence of peace.
Look at verse 13, 14. Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” When Jesus, the Son of God humbled himself to become a helpless baby and was laid in a manger, the heavenly hosts and angels were greatly moved that they shouted, “Glory to God and peace to men.”
We Christians are royal priests. We are made kings by the blood of Jesus Christ, the King of kings. We have received the grace of ten thousand talents (the salary for 200,000 years) from God. Then why do we hesitate to spend 500 denarii ($ 6oo) to help or serve the needy? Now, when you serve others with the grace of God, peace and glory come to you.
Pax Romana is, “Hey, I’m a senior and older than you, so you serve me.” But the peace of Jesus is, “I will humble myself and serve you and them.” Pax Romana is, “Hey, why should I use my money to serve you and them?” But the peace of Jesus is, “I use the money to serve my family and church.”
You have been called to be kingly priests. Where should you go? To a luxurious hotel or party? To a cool resort? No. Go to a manger, a lowly place. And serve there. Then peace and glory come to you. Peace and glory is not in the palace of Roman emperor or Pharisee’s academia or party but in Jesus’ manger. “I am a kingly priest, but I am going to a manger.” This is glory and peace.
Look at verse 12. “This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” The sign of the Lord and Savior is a baby lying in a manger. Christmas is about finding the baby Jesus. Christmas is about going to the manger and serving.
One example is the shepherds in this passage. Look at verse 8. “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.” During nights, while most are watching Neflix or playing computer games or searching YouTube at their cozy and warm rooms, some shepherds are out at night taking care of their flocks. This is the identity and mission of the shepherd. A truly good shepherd looks after his sheep regardless of time and place.
“Could you come out now?” “Well, what time is it now? It is 6 am. It is 10 pm! No.” If your child is very sick in the midnight, would you not take your child to the hospital right away? The sheep is sick or dying. A good shepherd is ready to take care of them anytime and anyplace.
Indeed, the angel’s Christmas message was given not to people like Caesar or the Pharisees but to some shepherds in the fields. The shepherds were lowly and unrecognized from but they were recognized and blessed by God because of their humble and faithful spirit to such small place, position and job without resentment or frustration. Peace and glory came to them.
We like glory. Now if you really want to know what glory is, learn from Jesus. In John 12:23, 24, Jesus said, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.” Was it time for him to be crowned? No. It was time for him to die on the cross. Glory came to Jesus when he obeyed God’s will to die on the cross. Glory comes when we die. “Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” When you die, you bear lots of fruit that last forever. What does it mean? What is the way for Christians to obtain glory? By carrying the cross and dying. When my false ego; greedy, disobedient, selfish and self-seeking ego dies, glory comes to us. And when we carry out our cross, worship, prayer and teach the Bible, glory comes to us.
Jesus, the Son of God, the Lord, King and Savior was not born in a palace or gorgeous hotel but born and laid in a manger. And he died on the cross to save all sinners. His humbleness, sacrifice and self-denial are glory. Christmas is the day of glory. Church should have glory. How? It is when Christians die. It is when they deny themselves and take up their cross. Then glory comes to church.
Look at verse 12b. “This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” The baby laid in a manger looks so vulnerable, weak and pathetic. However, read Isaiah 9:6. “For to us a baby is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Even though the baby laid in a manger looks so weak and poor, God's work begins like this. You shouldn't be disappointed by the wrapping paper. All gifts are wrapped. Man’s life is wrapped, sometimes by suffering, sometimes by insults and sometimes by poverty or failure.
Moses was 80 years old abandoned and forgotten shepherd in the wilderness. But the moment the word of God was planted in his heart, a new history was created. Your lives are the same. Is there anyone older than Moses? Is there anyone whose human condition is worse than him?
You may say, “I have nothing.” However, when the word of God is planted in you, you never know what will happen to you. Are you saying that you cannot live a glorious and fruitful life because you are young or you have no career or you have nothing?
Look! Jesus came as a baby laid in a manger. He gave up his heavenly glory and made himself nothing. (Phi 2:6-7). He didn’t just take a low place, but the lowest place. Jesus came to the world not to be served but to serve many.
At that time Caesar’s throne looked magnificent, powerful and glorious. Everyone wants to be invited by Caesar. And everyone wants to sit at the Caesar’s throne. On the other hand, Jesus’ manger looked so poor, weak and pathetic. But Caesar’s throne collapsed and disappeared because there was no spirit of humbleness, sacrifice and self-denial. But Jesus’ manger has been so holy and beautiful and has saved so many souls and given them eternal life because there are humbleness, sacrifice and self-denial in him.
Jesus’ life began in a manger and ended on a cross. Humanly speaking, Jesus was born and lived the most tragic way. But He has brought glory to God and peace to men. He gave up all the authority, power and honor of his heavenly kingdom and came to this world and be laid in a manger to save all the sorrowful, fatalistic and poor people.
It is easy to say ‘to give up.’ But it is not easy to give up. Many people want to give at first. But when they try to give or have to give, they are captivated by their selfishness and give up giving something.
I pray for Christian young people. I pray for them to learn from Jesus, manger’s spirit, humble spirit and giving spirit. Jesus says, “Give, and it will be given to you abundantly.” (Luke 6:38) Christmas’ meaning is giving and giving up. Jesus gave his life and gave up his heavenly majesty and glory to save sinners.
Peter gave up his worldly ambition for the kingdom of God. Paul gave up his brilliant titles for Jesus and world mission. One church brother gives a tithe every month though his income is not that much. May God bless you to learn the manger spirit that is giving and giving up. God changed human history not through Caesar’s throne but through Jesus’ manger. This is mystery. We understand when the Bible says, “God Almighty and Great.”
But “God is a God of small.” We tend to ignore small, but Jesus came as a small baby laid in a manger. King Herod, the Pharisees and the Jewish people despised Jesus. Why? It was because, to them, Jesus looked too small, no education, no social position, no good career and no security. He ate with socially nobodies. So, those who thought they were big and pursued big could not meet Jesus as their Savoir.
The world pursues greater and higher places. Those who have much are boastful and those who have less suffer from inferior complex. But in the course of pursuing big and great, people are easily lose peace.
Power and glory are not in the palace of Roman emperor or King Herod with luxury. It is in a manger with the spirit of humbleness and sacrifice. If you learn manger spirit, glory and peace come to you.
Third, salvation
Look at verses 10 “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy for all the people.” These days there is always bad news. Also, the good news to some people is bad news to others.
However, the angel said, “…I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” What is such good news of great joy in the world? Verse 11 says, “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”
Why is man miserable and unhappy? People think it is because of lack of money, security and recognition. But it is because of sin, death and judgment. If anyone wants to live a happy and meaningful life, he or she must solve sin, death and judgment problems. This is the reason why Jesus’ birth is good news of great joy. Jesus came to save us and give us eternal life. He came to make us rich with God’s blessings.
In Korean words, ‘salvation’ is ‘koo won.” It means $ 9. Most people who are attached to this world for their survival or success think of eternal life as worth less than $ 9. But it is not so. Your eternal destiny depends on your relationship with Jesus. May God bless you to have a great joy as you humbly accept Jesus, the Saviour King. Merry Christmas!