The Firstborn

Luke 2:22-40

The law required that a male be circumcised on the eighth day. This was separate from being presented to the Lord.  The firstborn was sacred to the Lord and had to be redeemed.  This redemption was accomplished by offering a sacrifice in exchange for the life of the firstborn. 

This redemption was required by God, because when God took the lives of all of the firstborn of Egypt, He spared the firstborn of Israel.  This requirement dated back to the Exodus, when God delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.

The story of the 10 plagues and the crossing of the Red Sea are famous.  However, the continuing requirement that all of the firstborn of man and animals be dedicated to the Lord is not talked about as much.

There were twelve tribes or families in Israel.  Each tribe descended from one of the twelve sons of Israel. After the Exodus the descendants of Levi, known as the Levites, were dedicated to God for service as substitutes for the firstborn of all the Israelites. 

The death of Egypt’s firstborn and the sparing of Israel’s firstborn were forever commemorated by both a requirement that the firstborn had to be redeemed by sacrifice and the dedication of the substitute tribe of Levi to the Lord.

This was because God’s great deliverance of Israel from slavery in Egypt was at the cost of Egypt’s firstborn.

This is a picture of the cost of God’s great deliverance of the world from sin.

Israel’s slavery in Egypt was a time bound, temporary thing. God’s purpose was eternal and much greater in scope than Egypt and Israel. God had in mind the deliverance of all humanity, including Egypt and Israel.

In the midst of this deliverance is the troubling death of all of the firstborn of Egypt.

In Ezekiel 33:11 God says, “As surely as I live, says the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of wicked people. I only want them to turn from their wicked ways so they can live.” (NLT) There are many other places where God makes the same point.  It grieves Him when anyone dies, especially the wicked. The death of the wicked is an eternal loss. Carry these thoughts over to the firstborn of Egypt. Oh, how it must have grieved God to see the firstborn of a whole nation die in one night!

First, their deaths were unnecessary. If you remember the story, God sent 10 plagues on Egypt.  Each time God warned them, “Let my people go or such and such will happen.”  Then, after they had been warned but refused to comply, the plague would come. The death of the firstborn was the 10^th plague.

Second, the deaths were eternal.  These were unbelieving Egyptians.  We know that those who call on the name of the Lord are saved; we also know that those who do not are lost. 1 Peter 3:9 reiterates what we have already pointed out; God “does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.” This is the reason He sent His Son.  John 3:16 tells us that because of His love God sent His Son so that those who believe in Him should not perish.  The bad news is found in John 3:18, “… anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son.” (NLT)

The death of the firstborn of all Egypt was the high cost of the nation’s stubborn rebellion against God. The buying back of the firstborn by sacrifice and the accompanying representation of the firstborn by the Levites was a permanent and constant reminder of the high cost paid to free Israel from slavery. Much more importantly, it pointed to the high cost God would pay to buy back the world from slavery to sin.

I have heard and read the question, “Why would God send a good person to hell?”

I do not believe that God would send a good person to hell.  We underestimate the cost of our rebellion against God, our pride and our selfishness. God says:

No one is righteous—

not even one.

No one is truly wise;

no one is seeking God.

All have turned away;

all have become useless.

No one does good,

not a single one.” (Romans 3:10-12, NLT)

The whole world is in slavery to sin.  The attitude of the world toward the deliverer is reflected in Egypt’s unwillingness to let their slaves go.  The high cost of deliverance is reflected in the death of the firstborn.

Let’s return now to Luke chapter 2. Here in Luke 2, we find circumcision being practiced.  Circumcision served as a bodily, permanent reminder of all of God’s covenant promises and of Israel’s special relationship to God. We also find here the redemption or buying back of the firstborn.

These are of special significance in the case of Jesus, because these ceremonies were about Him. He was the fulfillment of all the covenant promises.  He was the firstborn who would pay the price for freeing the world from slavery to sin. He was the one that was foretold by the events in Egypt.

When Mary and Joseph went to the temple to fulfill the requirements of the law, God had two prophets there waiting for them. These two prophets were to make the connection clear.

Let’s look at what Luke tells us about the prophet Simeon. Luke 2:25-35

25At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him 26and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, 28Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,

29“Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace,

as you have promised.

30I have seen your salvation,

31which you have prepared for all people.

32He is a light to reveal God to the nations,

and he is the glory of your people Israel!”

33Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about him. 34Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, but he will be a joy to many others. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. 35As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.” (NLT)

This is an incredible passage of Scripture. The fact that Mary and Joseph came to present the baby as required by the law is noted. Notice especially that the Spirit led Simeon to be there that day. All the significance of the firstborn was coming to realization.  Simeon was looking for the Messiah, and his comment was, “I have seen your salvation.” Salvation for the world at the cost of God’s firstborn Son. The parents were amazed, and then the amazing prophecy of Simeon is given.

Do not miss a word of this prophecy. “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, but he will be a joy to many others.”

The angels had sung, “…peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” (Luke 2:14, NLT)

There is a division of great blessing and great trouble.  He is a sign from God but many will oppose Him. This is witnessed in our world to this day. Many oppose Him. This was pictured in the division between Israel and Egypt.  It is seen so clearly in our world today where our brothers and sisters in Christ are violently persecuted.  They follow Jesus at the risk of their lives. 322 Christians are killed for their faith each month. 214 churches and Christian properties are destroyed each month. 722 forms of violence like beatings, rapes, forced marriages and such are committed each month.[i] Simeon’s prophecy is still being carried out before our very eyes.  Many oppose Him.

John 3:19-21 explain why this is true. “God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. 20All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. 21But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.” (NLT) 

Simeon’s prophecy said that “the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.” John points out that the light exposes our sins.  This is the reason given in Scripture for people rejecting the Savior.  To accept a Savior we must first admit we are in slavery.

There is a great danger of being one of those who oppose Him.  The results of opposing him are seen in what happened to the Egyptians.  The delivery from slavery is great and cause for great joy, but the consequence of opposing him is death.  The danger of opposing him is part of all of us, because we have all been slaves of sin.

It is not just Muslims, atheist and secularist that persecute and oppose God’s firstborn. Sometimes we in the church oppose him as well.  The division exists even in our own hearts. The danger for us in church is being spiritual to the point that we do not need the Savior. We do not smoke, drink or chew, and we are so godly we would not touch those who do.  As a matter of fact, we are so godly that we do not need to be saved.  In Jesus’ day the ones who fought hardest to kill Jesus were the very religious.

Religion can be a cloak behind which we hide deeply troubled and sinful hearts.

Romans chapter 2 is written for those who think they are spiritual and godly.  Verse 1 says, “1You may think you can condemn such people [sinners], but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things.” (NLT)

Simeon’s prophecy said that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. Paul says in Romans 2:16, “16And this is the message I proclaim—that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone’s secret life.” (NLT)

Simeon, through the Holy Spirit, saw and understood this.

There is a deep division brought by the birth of God’s Son, His firstborn. That division is of blessing and of judgment.

The difference is made clear in both Simeon and Anna’s persons. They were both waiting eagerly for God to rescue Israel.

This is the difference between blessing and judgment.

They were waiting for God.

John 3:17&18 say, “God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him.” (NLT)

Are you like Simeon and Anna waiting eagerly on the Lord for His deliverance?

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[i] https://www.opendoorsusa.org/christian-persecution/

Jesus Is Born

Jesus Is Born—Luke 1 & 2

An angel appeared to a young virgin, an elderly couple was expecting a child, Cesar decided to call a census and shepherds were watching their flocks by night.

Life went on as normal. 

Men and women were getting married.  Shop keepers were opening and closing their stores every day.  Governors were governing.

 

What does divine intervention look like? What happens when God steps in to our lives?

First, it is not noticed by many.

 

An angel appeared to Zechariah and told him his wife Elizabeth would have a child.  This was noticed by some.  First, there was a delay in Zechariah’s return from his service in the Holy place. Only one priest entered the Holy of Holies once a year and his activities while in the Holy of Holies were carefully prescribed. Any delay was cause for concern.  So, the people waited anxiously for Zechariah to come back out from his service in the Holy place.

Then when he came out, he could not speak.  He was mute.

Because of these two things, those present knew that something had happened.

An angel also appeared to Mary.  No one knew about this unless Mary told them.

Not many people notice when God intervenes.

Also, not many believe. There is always another explanation.

Joseph apparently did not believe Mary. We do not know what Mary told Joseph, but we are told that he was going to break their engagement quietly when he found out she was pregnant. God stepped in and had an angel tell Joseph.  To his great credit, Joseph believed the angel and thus also Mary.

Mary’s pregnancy was not national news. It would have been if people would have believed that she was a virgin, but the fact that she was pregnant was proof that she was not a virgin in their minds.

When Luke set out to make a record of the things that occurred he said, “Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write a careful account for you, most honorable Theophilus, so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught.”[i] (Luke 1:3-4, NLT)

Notice he is writing a careful account so that we can be certain of the truth. John also wrote so that we can believe, (John 20:31) but many do not believe. 

Many scoff at our belief.

What about Mary? Do you suppose that the people around her would have scoffed if she maintained she was a virgin with her belly protruding, obviously pregnant?

When God intervenes; not many notice, not many believe and many are engaged in more important things.

I said that Mary’s pregnancy was not national news. Those that made national news were engaged in things that seemed much more important than the events in the lives of a single family from Nazareth.

Take Quirinius for example.  He was governor of Syria. He was important. And yet, if he were not mentioned by name in Luke’s account I would not know his name. I cannot even name the governor of Syria Today. Actually, Syria has a president and I looked him up on Google, but as important as he is - he does not figure very large in my daily life.

The Roman emperor, Augustus, was a news maker.  He was a history maker, and those who are interested in history can read about him to this day.  He was much too important to take note of a baby born in a far off vassal state. 

However, Augustus was not too important to issue a decree requiring a census.  When the emperor needs money he collects taxes.  There are important things to be done; roads to be built, battles to be fought, water, sewer and sanitation to take care of, important things like that.

God used these events and people, but Divine intervention did not happen through these important events and through these important people.

For those who are waiting and watching it is easy to notice, easy to believe and nothing could be more important.

The important people played a role of which they were unaware. If Cesar had not decreed a census, Mary would have had her child at home in Nazareth. Such a thing never entered into the mind of Cesar. His decisions were based on his own concerns and desires.

In this case, Divine intervention was the ordering of events. In the normal working out of daily life, seemingly unrelated details were coming together for God’s plan. It had been prophesied the promised Messiah would be called a Nazarene, or so Matthew interprets it in Matthew 2:23. And at the same time, it was prophesied that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem.

As for prophesy, there were many that were fulfilled.

It was prophesied that the Messiah would spend some time in Egypt.  It was prophesied that the mothers of Bethlehem would weep and refuse to be comforted. These prophesies were fulfilled through the megalomania of Herod.

These prophesies described the madness of evil and sin, but Divine intervention was not found in these.  Divine intervention occurred in spite of the evil intentions of sin twisted humanity.

Most of humanity had no idea that something important was happening. And yet Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth and Zechariah knew that something incredible was taking place.

The wise men from the east had figured something out. The stars in the sky gave enough of a signal that they were able to figure out that something incredible was happening.

Simeon was a devout and righteous man.  He knew immediately that God had stepped in to save mankind.

Anna was a prophet and she also recognized, believed and took to telling everyone who would listen.

For those who have eyes to see and ears to hear, divine intervention is easy to see and recognize.

We tend to look to great people and scientific facts as our basis for determining what to believe and what is important.

Science is observation.  It does not disprove the virgin birth.  It can only observe that Mary did not have relations with a man, and yet she was pregnant.  We start with the assumption that this cannot happen. This is the most common problem with belief in Divine intervention.  We should not be naïve or gullible, but neither should we be callus or hard-hearted. Science is important, but it is not God. We do not know everything.  We are in a constant state of discovery, and this is the role of science. When God intervenes, it is by nature outside the purview of science. By all means, gather all the facts, but do not explain away facts because it is “impossible.”

Also, great people are not God. Everyone tends to have heroes. For some, it is Dr. Phil or Oprah.  For me there has been a progression.  I like preachers.  In my high school and college years it was John MacArthur.  Then it was Chuck Swindoll . Then it was John Piper.  Now, the only one I still listen to when I have a chance is Swindoll.  Do not misunderstand me.  These are great men, but they are just men. I have found that it is okay to disagree with them on any subject if I find the Bible teaches differently. 

God chooses and elevates people, but they are just people.  The one to look to is God.

Look at the people God chooses.

There were shepherds that kept sheep on the hills outside of Bethlehem. It was to these common laboring men that the hosts of heaven made their announcement.

The baby was born of noble people.  Joseph and Mary were descendants of David, an ancient and noble king whose line carried the promise of a throne. Joseph and Mary were also common people. Joseph was a carpenter, and his family was the family of a carpenter.

It is the Baby born of these noble, common people that we worship today as Savior and Lord.

Look with me at the announcement that the angel made to the shepherds:

That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:8-12, NLT)

“…good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!

The Scriptures tell us that He is “God with us.”

This was and is the most significant Divine intervention ever and He was born in a cow’s home and used the cow’s feeding trough for a bed, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Isaiah says, “Who has believed our message?  To whom has the LORD revealed his powerful arm?” (Isaiah 53:1, NLT)

He was talking about this birth of the Baby in the manger.  This birth was the Lord revealing His powerful arm.

1 Corinthians 1:26-31 says:

Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.

God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin. Therefore, as the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the LORD.” (NLT)

What do you consider important? Is there a man or men you are following? Are you too busy to notice what God is doing?

For those who have eyes to see and ears to hear, divine intervention is easy to see and recognize.

Do you see it in the Baby born in Bethlehem? Do you see it in the shepherds and the wise men? Do you see it in and through you in your daily life?

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[i] Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Copyright 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.  All rights reserved.

He Dwelt Among Us

God has spoken.

He spoke to Abraham in visions, dreams, and even visited him in the form of a man.

Moses was a man who grew up in ancient Egypt. He was educated by the Egyptians, but his people were slaves in Egypt. When he was 40 years old, he saw an Egyptian beating one of his own people.  Moses killed the Egyptian.  When Pharaoh heard about what Moses had done, Moses had to flee for his life.

He ended up herding sheep in the wilderness for 40 years. At the end of those 40 years, God appeared to Moses in a burning bush. God spoke to Moses, and Moses was never the same.

Moses was chosen by God to communicate God’s law to His people. As a result, Moses spent time on the mountain alone with God. God revealed a small part of His glory to Moses, and it was enough to cause Moses’ face to shine so that others could not endure looking upon it.

Hebrews 1:1 says, “Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets.”[i] (NLT)

But does God speak to us today?

In John chapter 1, we will see that God still speaks to you and me through His Son.

John 1:14 says, “So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.” (NLT)

Words are what we use to communicate.  Words express our thoughts, our desires and draw the picture for others of what is in our inner world.

When John says, “So the Word became human,” what does He mean?  How is it that Words can take on flesh and blood and become human?

Going back to Hebrews 1 verse 1, let’s read it again, but this time we will include verses 2 and 3:

¹Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. ²And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe. ³The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven. (NLT)

Here we see that the God who spoke with Abraham and Moses has spoken to us through His Son.  His Son “radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God.”  The Son expresses God’s very thoughts and shows us a picture of what is going on in God’s inner world, as far as we are able to comprehend it.

John chapter 1 verses 1 through 3 say:

¹In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. ²He existed in the beginning with God. ³God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. (NLT)

John is speaking of the Son of God as “the Word.”

Many of you have heard of the Greek idea of “logos” being the principle of logic. Led by the Holy Spirit, John appeals to the Greek or philosophical mind. But, there is so much more to this idea of the “Word” being with God, than just a principle of logic.

Proverbs uses the idea of Wisdom in the following way.  In chapter 1 verse 20 through 24 Proverbs says:

²⁰Wisdom shouts in the streets.

She cries out in the public square.

²¹She calls to the crowds along the main street,

to those gathered in front of the city gate:

²²“How long, you simpletons,

will you insist on being simpleminded?

How long will you mockers relish your mocking?

How long will you fools hate knowledge?

²³Come and listen to my counsel.

I’ll share my heart with you

and make you wise.

²⁴“I called you so often, but you wouldn’t come.

I reached out to you, but you paid no attention. (NLT)

Wisdom is seen here as a person, calling out to the foolish and the simpleminded.

The “Word” in John chapter 1 is also portrayed as a person. We are told quite plainly that the “Word” was both with God and was God at the same time.

The significance then of the Word becoming human is that the Word is God, and as God He is uniquely the communication or expression of all that God is. He is much more than the principle of logic or organization behind and supporting all creation.  He is a person. He is the revelation of God.  He is Word that is living, breathing and tangible.

John 1:14 tells us that he “made his home among us.”  Like wisdom calling out in the street for humanity to pay attention, God made Himself as available as possible.  In a letter he wrote John says, “…We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands.” (1 John 1:1, NLT)

Do you want to know what God is like?

Has God spoken?

The answer is the Word that became human, took on flesh and bone.

John 1:14 says of Him, “…we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.” (NLT)

What does it mean to have seen His glory?

In Mark 9:2-4 there is this account:

…Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone. As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed, ³and his clothes became dazzling white, far whiter than any earthly bleach could ever make them. ⁴Then Elijah and Moses appeared and began talking with Jesus. (NLT)

Through this report we understand that Jesus possessed within His body a glory that we cannot understand.  This glory was somehow veiled.  We understand from Philippians 2:7 that He emptied Himself and took on the form of a servant.  Yet He remained fully God and was able on this occasion to let it be known that He had a glory that was not of this earth.

There is another glory that Jesus shows to us.  The story of His suffering, trial and death is a glory of a different sort.  Isaiah says of Him, “He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth.” (Isaiah 53:7, NLT)  Those that were with Him on the last night, said that he sweat drops of blood in anticipation of what was coming.  He prayed that He would not have to go through it, but surrendered His will to the will of His Father.

Through His surrender Isaiah tells us, “When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins.” (Isaiah 53:11, NLT)  Philippians 2:10 tells us that because of what He did, every knee in heaven and on earth will bow and proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord.

In His sacrifice, we still see His glory displayed.

Does God speak?

Yes, every day.

He stands on the street corners and calls out to all who will listen.

He uses billboards that say Jesus saves.  He uses crosses painted on signs and church buildings that give testimony to the gathering of believers.  And, in great number and with great force He uses human beings – human beings who like His Son have flesh and blood.

The story of Christmas is about the incarnation.  That is our big word for the day.  “Carne” is meat.  “Incarnation” means taking on meat.  Most translations of John 1:14 say that the Word became flesh.  Flesh is meat.  This is a base or vulgar expression of what happened.  And, it brings it down to earth.

The Baby in the manger was God taking on flesh.  It was the very real and practical working out of what John says about the Word becoming human.

We have the record of Jesus’ glory, person, words and works to help us understand.  But even more, we have the Holy Spirit.  Through the Holy Spirit we are given the mind of Christ.  He is the first born of many.  Each human that accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior has a part in God speaking.

God speaks through you and me.

When we tell others of the Baby in the manger and what He has done for us, God is speaking through us. The Word is still alive and active.  He is in our hearts, in our mouths and in our lives.

We each show His glory as much as we surrender our will to His.

As we celebrate Christmas this year, it shows His glory.

If you do not know Jesus this way, can I just say, “God is talking to you right now?”  Will you listen?  He wants to have a relationship with you.  That is why He sent His son.  All you have to do is say, “Yes God.”  That is all any of us need to do.

Will you?

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[i] Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Copyright 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.  All rights reserved.