MONDAY
In this campaign that we started last week, we are exploring some scenes from the Christmas story and seeing how they display genuine worship. In Revelation Jesus is often portrayed as the exalted, glorious Christ. In the Christmas story he is a humble baby born to a relatively poor family in a nondescript part of the Roman empire. Jesus is both, and he is worshipped as both. This week we are exploring the scene of the angels appearing to the shepherds in Luke 2.
Luke 2:1–20 (NIV)
1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 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. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
The theme we are going to explore this week is how heaven and earth worship. The angels from heaven worship and the shepherds from earth worship. Jesus is king of both heaven and earth.
Jesus was born in the time of Caesar Augustus or Octavian (30 BC-14AD). Augustus ushered in the Pax Romana which produced the time of peace, common language and even roadways that allowed the gospel to thrive. It was also Octavian’s decision to do a census that brought Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem where Jesus was born. Bethlehem is the place the prophets said the Messiah was to be born (Micah 5:2). Note God’s sovereignty over these events. “Caesar Augustus, in the final analysis, was but a pawn in the hands of the Lord God omnipotent.” - R. C. Sproul, A Walk with God: An Exposition of Luke, 29–30.
However, it was also during Octavian’s reign that the worship of the emperor took root. This would later cause the Christians to be persecuted because they would not worship the emperor. Even at the birth announcement of Jesus, we see the revelation that Jesus is of a higher lordship than even Caesar. Caesar may rule over all of the known world, but Jesus is portrayed as Lord of both heaven and earth, as even the angels get in on the worship. We will see this theme in more detail as we dig in this week.
This helpless baby, born in the most humble of circumstances, is a king greater than even Caesar. He is worshipped not only on earth but in heaven as well.
Additional Content
Enjoy this banger from 2004!
Reflection
As you go about your day today keep the phrase, “Jesus is Lord of heaven and earth,” in your mind. Maybe put it in your phone as a reminder for a couple of different times today or write it on a piece of paper and keep it in your pocket. Whenever you say it or think about it, just pause and worship him in that moment.