Luke’s Shaky Witness, and Firm Foundation (Luke 2:1-21)

Belgrade URC

Christ’s birth turns the world values upside down. Ceasar established world peace, but the story communicates that Ceasar can only maintain peace through power. This is contrasted to the true king born in a peasant’s home God is showing us something profound: His kingdom doesn’t operate according to the world’s priorities of wealth, power, and status. His kingdom is established only his power and not in his intimidation.

The story does not get better. Shepherds, a vocation that many rabbis would forbid are out in the field. These are men who could not testify in court. These are not credible witnesses. However, they are the first in Luke’s gospel to be entrusted with the message of Christ’s birth. They also see the angelic army assembled before them.

The shepherds testify that the Lord’s blessing does not go to the worthy. The Lord’s blessings and good news do not come to the religious. Rather, this is a message for all. This is for the elite centurions right down to the outcasted shepherds. All need to bow the knees to the messiah and find their life in him.

Jesus fulfills the Lord’s will by coming to save the sinner and not the righteous. The righteous do not need a savior, but it is the sinner who has the cross-like posture before the Lord’s throne. The angels in heaven do not engage in war. They know that war only comes through the success of Christ’s humiliation in the incarnation, his humiliation in obedience, and his humiliation in death, and this results in his glorification.

As we conclude our Christmas series let us marvel at the humble victory that our Lord accomplishes in his son. He could have sent his angels to establish world peace, but our Lord saw the bigger picture and the need to eradicate sin!