Luke 2 – the Birth of Christ

THE ANTI-KING

THE ERA OF GREAT KINGS

OCTAVIAN! HEROD THE GREAT!

Luke 2:1-2 Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.

Between 4-6 BC

THE “KING OF KINGS” IS BORN

Luke 2:4-7

Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of King David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child.

THE “KING OF KINGS” IS BORN

Luke 2:4-7

Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of King David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child.

The “Eternal King”Promised to David 1000 BC

THE “KING OF KINGS” IS BORN

2 Samuel 7:12-13 "I will raise up your descendant after you…I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever…”

Luke 2:4-7

Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of King David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child.

The “Eternal King”Promised to David 1000 BC

THE “KING OF KINGS” IS BORN

DETAILED BY 100’S OF PROPHESIES…Micah 5:2 "But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity."

Luke 2:4-7

Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of King David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child.

The HillbillyKing

THE “KING OF KINGS” IS BORN

Luke 2:4-7

Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of King David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child.

The King of Poverty

THE “KING OF KINGS” IS BORN

Luke 2:4-7 While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth.

And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

THE “KING OF KINGS” IS BORN

Luke 2:4-7 While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth.

And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

King of Hardship

THE “KING OF KINGS” IS BORN

Luke 2:4-7 While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth.

And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The Ignored

King

THE “KING OF KINGS” IS BORN

Luke 2:4-7 While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth.

And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Still Ignored:

“Just another prophet”

“A good man”

“All religions are the same”

THE “KING OF KINGS” IS BORN

Luke 2:4-7 While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth.

And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

THE “KING OF KINGS” IS BORN

• But despite all the miraculous signs Jesus had done, most of the people still did not believe in him. This is exactly what Isaiah the prophet had predicted: “LORD, who has believed our message?” John 12:37-38

Luke 2:4-7 While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth.

And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

THE “KING OF KINGS” IS BORN“LORD, who has believed our message?”

CHOPRA: “So the Bible is divinely inspired, but it's not factually accurate.”

What “King” is…A Hillbilly?

Impoverished?

Born in a Barn?

A Crucified Criminal?

THE “KING OF KINGS” IS BORNLuke 2:8-9 In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.

THE “KING OF KINGS” IS BORNLuke 2:10-12 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

“GOD THE KING”“A HERO-KING”

THE “KING OF KINGS” IS BORNLuke 2:13-14 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."

The King of PeaceFor a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

THE “KING OF KINGS” IS BORN

Luke 2:20 The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen…

The King of Outcasts

THE “KING OF KINGS” IS BORN

And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon…looking for the consolation of Israel;

And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's KING. Luke 2:25-26

The King forAll Nations

when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, "Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation, Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, A LIGHT OF REVELATION TO THE GENTILES, And the glory of Your people Israel." Luke 2:29-32

THE “KING OF KINGS” IS BORN

And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon…looking for the consolation of Israel;

And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's KING. Luke 2:25-26

The King ofGod’s Salvation

“Jesus”

when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, "Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation, Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, A LIGHT OF REVELATION TO THE GENTILES, And the glory of Your people Israel." Luke 2:29-32

THE “KING OF KINGS” IS BORNLuke 2:36-38 Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple…Her husband died when they had been married only seven years. Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, serving God with fasting and prayer. She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God…

The King ofthe Disadvantaged,

Destitute, Depressed

WHO IS THIS KING?

The Anti-KingA Hillbilly

Impoverished

Born in a Barn

A Crucified Criminal

The God-King…of Peace

…of Outcasts

…for All Nations

…of God’s Salvation

…of the Disadvantaged

WHY DIDN’T HE DEMAND A PALACE?

"He has brought down rulers from their thrones, And has exalted those who were humble.” Luke 1:52

WHICH KING IS STILL STANDING?

The Roman historian Tacitus (c. 56–c.117) wrote that Augustus had cunningly subverted Republican Rome into a position of slavery, "a bloodthirsty, vindicative usurper", "wicked and worthless", "a mean spirit", and a "tyrant".

And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, "KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS." Revelation 19:16

JOSEPHUS: "a madman who murdered his own family and a great many rabbis."

The Anti-King Has Come!

• “But the things which God announced beforehand by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ should suffer, He has thus fulfilled.” Acts 3:18

• "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." Mark 10:45

The Anti-King Has Come!

Interested?A Seeker?

An “Outsider”?

Disadvantaged?

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Have CompassionAnd Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “This Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed— and a sword will pierce even your own soul—to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed." Luke 2:34-35