Lesson 4—Divine Messages

Luke 2:6-38; Matthew 2:1-12; Luke 2:39-40

Introductory Questions:

1. What do the descriptions of the conception and birth of Christ teach us about His nature?

2. Does believing in Christ require believing in miracles?

Notes on the text:

1. He was born in a stable, basically. This could have been a cave or a rear addition to the inn.

2. It is highly likely that they were not the only ones in the stable.

   1. Mary and Joseph would not necessarily have traveled alone.

   2. Mary and Joseph both were from Bethlehem—the city of David. Thus their families would have had to travel there as well, if they did not live there.

3. Divine messages and messengers

   1. Shepherds were told of the birth (Luke 2:8-17)

      1. An angel announced the birth (2:10-11)

      2. He gave them a sign which will verify that they had the right baby.

      3. The sign was that the baby was wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

      4. A host of angels appeared, praising God.

      5. The shepherds found the baby, just as they were told.

      6. It seems that some of this was for the benefit of Mary and Joseph (Luke 2:19).

      7. The shepherds would also have a story to tell that could be verified.

         1. More than one witnessed the angels.

         2. More than one verified what the angels told them. The birth was in a manger, but not done in a corner.

   2. Temple messages and messengers (Luke 2:21-38). See Leviticus 12:4.

      1. Simeon

         1. looking for the consolation of Israel—the Messiah/Shiloh/Peace

         2. It was revealed to him he wouldn't die before he saw the Christ.

         3. He called Jesus “salvation from the Lord” and “a light for revelation to the Gentiles.”

         4. These coincide with the messages already given.

      2. Anna, the prophetess

         1. She was over 100 years old.

         2. She basically lived in the temple. That means everyone around knew her.

         3. She told the news to all who were awaiting the Messiah.

   3. The wise men (Matthew 2:1-11)

      1. They saw His star while they were in the East.

         1. Evidently they were astrologers.

         2. God allowed them to get this one correct.

      2. This could coincide with the prophecy of Balaam to Balak in Numbers 24:17.

      3. Some suppose that this is the light that shined around the shepherds, seen as a star at great distance by these men.

         1. No one knows for sure.

         2. But we do know that they were happy to see it appear again later (Matthew 2:10), almost as if it were not seen regularly. It also guided them directly to a house. It seems like a big spotlight.

      4. They did not come on the night of His birth (Mary and Jesus were in a house at the time they came).

      5. They did seem to come fairly soon after His birth.

      6. It could have been up to two years later (Matthew 2:16).

      7. They originally went to Herod to find out where He was born—that makes sense.

      8. Herod was an insanely jealous man when it came to his throne and sought to kill the child.

      9. When his plans were thwarted, he killed all males in the vicinity who were two and under.

      10. When the wise men found Jesus, they worshiped Him. This was done for kings and the gifts were gifts for a king. They did not necessarily think this child was God in the flesh.

   4. The wise men, shepherds, Simeon and Anna all had stories to tell others.

Questions for Thought and Review

1. Why do you suppose the events of the messages/messengers are recorded for us?

2. How do these events give evidence for the deity of Jesus?

3. If the shepherds saw a great light in the darkness, is it conceivable that others saw that light also?

4. If the light shined on the house so that the wise men could find it, could not others have done the same?

5. What do you suppose Anna said to others about Jesus? Did being a woman mean she could not tell others about Jesus?

6. How many years before the births of John and Jesus was the last record of prophecies and miracles in Israel? Is there any significance to that?