THE LAMB OF GOD PROVIDED
Luke 2:1-20

Introduction:     We have been watching as God’s plan to send His Lamb into the world has unfolded. When man fell into sin in the Garden of Eden, God made a promise that a Redeemer would one day come. This Redeemer would come as the Savior of sinners. Our text tells us about the night that father’s promise was fulfilled. It was also the moment when God’s promise to send His Redeemer into the world was fulfilled. As we look in on the events of that special night 2,000 years ago, we can learn something about how God provided His Lamb.

I.          THE PLACE INVOLVED (VV.1-7)

A.        The Planning Of This Place (v. 4)

The fact that Jesus was born in Bethlehem was no accident. It was predicted years before it came to pass, (Micah 5:2) "But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting." This was common knowledge among those who studied and knew the Scriptures, Matt. 2:1-6.

B.         The Providence Of This Place (vv. 1-6)

(Expound events leading to journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem ). (Illus: Caesar may have been ruling, but God was overruling! God, in His providence, worked out all the details necessary so that Jesus might be born where the prophets said that He would be!  By the way, if He can do that, then surely He can take care of our little needs!)

C.        The Poverty Of This Place (v. 7)

Jesus’ humble birth signified the kind of life He would live all the time He was here on this earth.

·        He had no place to call home, Matt. 8:20.

·        When He died, others provided the place and the things necessary for His burial, John 19:38-42.

·        The God Who made everything and Who could have had anything, chose to live a life of poverty 2 Cor. 8:9, “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.” 

He did it so that He might enter into our suffering, die in our place and lift us out of our circumstances when we call on Him by faith!  Thank God for the poverty of that place!

D.        The Pictures Of This Place (v. 7)

·        “Swaddling clothes” = used to bury the dead. Also God’s white flag of peace.

·        “Manger” = feed trough. Jesus the “bread of life” was born in Bethlehem “the house of bread” to feed the starving souls of men.

II.         THE PEOPLE INVOLVED (VV. 8, 15-19)

A.                 Their Occupation (v. 8)

Shepherds = hard and dirty work often considered unclean. Yet it was these outcasts that were first to know of Jesus’ birth.

B.         Their Obedience (vv. 15-16)

They were quick to heed the news. They left their sheep and found Jesus. (Illus: regardless of station in life Jesus refuses none). Don’t let some sin, or some situation stand between you and Heaven. Come to Jesus today, because He will not turn you away,

C.           Their Obligation (vv. 17-19)

Just as quick, these men sped away to share the “Good News” to all. (Illus: anyone who has experienced the salvation of the Lord wants to share this grace!). We have a Savior and we have a message to share. May we be as faithful as these shepherds to share Christ to a lost world!

III.       THE PRAISE INVOLVED (VV. 9-14; 20)

A.        There Was Heavenly Praise (v. 9-14)

·        The Heavenly Appearance (v. 9)

·        The Heavenly Announcement (vv. 10-12)

·        The Heavenly Anthem (vv. 13-14)

B.         There Was Human Praise (v. 20)

After the shepherds hear the message and meet the Master, they return to their flocks rejoicing as they go. Their voices are also lifted up to God in Heaven to praise Him for His glorious gift. But, notice the difference between their praise and the praise of the angels. The angels praise the Lord for what He has done for others, v. 11. The shepherds praise the Lord for what He has done for them, v. 20!

·        The Praise Of Convinced Hearts

When these men met Jesus for themselves, they could praise Him from a heart that has been convinced of the truth!

·        The Praise Of Changed Hearts

Now, they are new men and they are excited about it! They can’t keep their praises in and they return to their flocks while their shouts fill the night air! (Illus: that is what Jesus will do for you! When He saves your soul, He changes you and fills you with “joy unspeakable and full of glory,” 1 Pet. 1:8.) Surely, some of that will leak out from time to time! When Jesus saves you and changes you, you will want to praise Him for Who He is and what He has done in your life!

Conclusion:       You may enjoy hearing the Christmas story and you may love Christmas time, but you have missed the real meaning altogether if you have never trusted Jesus as your Savior. Until you have received the Lamb of God as your personal Savior and until you know the power of His salvation, you will never really understand Christmas and the wonder of what God did when He provided His Lamb for the sins of the world. Are you in a personal relationship with Jesus today?  If you are, then you know what I am talking about. If you are not, you can come to know Him if you will come before Him and trust Him by faith. Will you do that today? Will you embrace Heaven’s Lamb as the Savior of your soul? The Lamb was provided for you!