(December 05, 2024) Brian Bell shares… and encourages—

As we are now in the season of Advent, I share a few thoughts taken from Luke’s gospel. Chapter 1:1-4NLT shows that Luke is very specific about his purpose: ‘to reassure you of the truth of all you were taught.’

Now Luke was not one of the first early disciples called by Jesus, he was not writing from a personal meeting with the Lord Jesus. And he wrote his gospel for the benefit of a person named in verse 1 as ‘the most honourable’ Theophilus who also didn’t have a personal meeting with Jesus… and that makes Luke’s message very relevant for you and me today.

By way of context, scholars recognise Luke as one of the apostle Paul’s colleagues and a doctor by profession. Theophilus is regarded to be a noble Gentile, maybe an early Christian believer but at least someone known to Luke who was seeking after God.

Luke set out to write for him an accurate and authentic account of the life of the Lord Jesus as in verses 1-3: ‘Many people have written accounts about the events that took place among us. They used as their source material the reports circulating among us from the early disciples and other eyewitnesses of what God has done in fulfilment of His promises. Having carefully investigated all of these accounts from the beginning, I have decided to write a careful summary for you’

I can have confidence in Luke as he is guided by the Holy Spirit. As a physician he had an enquiring mind; would be careful and attentive to detail; realised the importance of establishing facts. He—

• Tells the TIME of Jesus’ birth;
• Names the PLACE;
• Explains the NATURE;
• Records the REACTION;  
• Shows its relevance in HISTORY;
• Confirms fulfilment of PROPHECY;
• Recognises Jesus Christ as SAVIOUR.

I share below on the first four aspects above interleaving the others…

Time of the Birth
To support his account, Luke accurately pin-pointed known events and people who have a place in recorded history—

Luke refers to Caesar Augustus who was Roman Emperor from 29 BC to AD 14 and who had called for a census to be taken throughout the then empire. He also identifies Quirinius as the Roman governor of Syria at that time (chapter 2:1-2).

This technique is a trademark of Luke. Later in his gospel account he introduces John the Baptist and the beginning of our Lord’s earthly ministry as in ‘… the 15^th year of the reign of Tiberius the Roman emperor. Pilate was governor over Judea, Herod Antipas was ruler over Galilee…’ (chapter 3:1).

Tiberius Caesar was Roman emperor from AD 14 to AD 37. Historian David Potter‘s book The Emperors of Rome tells us Pontius Pilate was dismissed by Tiberius in AD 36 ‘a few months after he had executed a teacher from Galilee at the behest of the religious authorities in Jerusalem.’

Which teacher? Potter names Jesus of Nazareth.

Place of the Birth
In chapter 2:4 Luke names Bethlehem as the birthplace of Jesus.

In accordance with the decree of the Emperor Augustus relating to the census that everyone must return to their home town, in order to register Joseph was required to return to Bethlehem as it was his home town.

Although not a significant place because of its size, Bethlehem was also the ancestral home of King David and the place of his anointing as king. In 2Samuel 23:14-15 we are told Bethlehem had a well of pure water which was cherished by David.

Long before David, the story related in the book of Ruth tells us how this young Moabite woman came to Bethlehem with her mother-in-law Naomi and, married to Boaz there, bore a child they named Obed. He became the father of Jesse father of David and Joseph, Mary’s betrothed, was a direct descendant of David as was Jesus.

God speaking through the prophet Micah tells us ‘But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village in Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel will come from you whose origins are from the distant past’ (Micah 5:2).

This is a prophetic and messianic foretelling of the place where the Messiah would be born.

Nature of the Birth
The birth of Jesus is special because Mary conceived as a virgin.

Humanly speaking this was an impossible scenario in that generation and it has been ridiculed for many years. However we live in a generation in which medical science can make it possible for a woman to conceive without needing to have intercourse with a man.

God accomplished supernaturally that which seems impossible. I believe the God who created man from dust and then woman from a rib of man is able to use His creative power to enable Mary to conceive long before the discovery of science— as Luke 1:35 records the angel’s revelation to Mary, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the most high will overshadow you, so the baby born to you will be holy and He will be called the Son of God.’

Reaction to the Birth
Reaction to the birth of Jesus, just as His life, was mixed—

• Shepherds rejoiced.
• Wise men worshipped.
• Herod perpetrated murder.
• Many people did not know what was really happening.
• Later during the short three year ministry of Jesus, many knew His power to change their lives or heal their bodies.

Sadly, many in our world today do not know Jesus as anything other than a historical fact, but may see the gospel message as a threat to their position or lifestyle.

Encouragingly there are those in our troubled world who still find Jesus as the Saviour who can give peace to their hearts.

• As a baby Jesus was laid in a cradle.
• As the Saviour Jesus was nailed to a cross.
• As coming King Jesus will return one day to this world He loves!

Just as the precise time of Jesus’ first advent was not known, so today the precise time of Jesus’ second advent is not known to us. Until that time comes, let us rejoice like the shepherds and worship as did the angels.

Perhaps if you are reading these few thoughts you do not deny the fact of the birth of Jesus, perhaps you may also acknowledge He came as Saviour, but… have you opened your heart to Him as Lord and King of your life?

In closing I share some words from a great favourite song of mine: E Booth-Clibborn’s Down From His Glory—
Down from His glory
Ever-living story
My God and Saviour came
And Jesus was His name
Born in a manger
To His own a stranger
A man of sorrows, tears
And agony.

Oh, how I love Him!
How I adore Him!
My breath, my sunshine
My all in all
The great Creator
Became my Saviour
And all God’s fullness
Dwelleth in Him.

I pray you do know Jesus personally as Saviour and Lord!

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Brian Bell is a diaconate member, Christ Church (Congregational) Abbots Cross, Northern Ireland. Brian describes himself as ‘grateful for the privilege and opportunity given me to serve my Lord.’ Links: Tiny Town – Stunning Significance / Humble Shepherds Heard It First  
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