His Story

by Don Vess

There has never been, nor will there ever be an event as significant as the event that happened in Bethlehem over 2000 years ago.

Luke 2:1-14 NLT -At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2 (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. 4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 5 He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born.7 She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.
8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep.

9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,14 “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
We want to focus on two specific verses, 10-11- but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!”

It is amazing to me that the news of Messiah’s birth wasn’t delivered to Herod’s courts, or to Caesar or to any dignitary or governmental official, nor the Sanhedrin, the religious elitists, but instead to shepherds in a field who were busy tending their sheep. There was no occupation that was considered lower than that of a shepherd, yet God chose to get the gospel, the good news that a Savior had come to them first.

This event was the very dividing line of history. Every date affixed to a check or legal document is a witness to that central event in history, which was the birth of Christ. We describe time as being either, B.C. “before Christ,” or A.D. “anno domini”, meaning, “in the year of our Lord.”
In the announcement of the Angelic hosts, there are five specific dimensions of the message:

1.  Jesus’ coming had a Universal Dimension: “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to ALL people.” The message of salvation through Christ is for all people. The Great Commission- Matt. 28:19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations (ethnos: people groups), baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Jesus was born to be the Savior of all the world, John 3:16-17. Most of the world’s major religions—Confucianism, Buddhism, Islam—all have a limited appeal, but Christianity has followers in all countries. People everywhere need a Savior from sin and a hope for eternal life. Christ came for that specific purpose.  As we come together today, we are conscious of being part of a great company, a worldwide fellowship, called the Church, the Body of Christ. We may be of a different culture, skin color, speak a different language, but we are all celebrating, with joy, Jews the birth of OUR LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST!

2.  Jesus’ Coming had a Historical Dimension: “The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!”          Jesus was born THIS DAY, at this point in time. Something happened, the event is dated. This is not an abstract proposition: it is a historical fact! This not an ancient legend or piece of Jewish folklore; this is a record of a historical event, an event by which all other events are dated.                                                                                    

The apostle Paul describes the revelation and mission of Christ our Savior to Timothy like this: 1 Tim 3: “Christ was revealed in a human body and vindicated by the Spirit. He was seen by angels and announced to the nations. He was believed in throughout the world and taken to heaven in glory.”

3.  Jesus’ Coming had a Geographical Dimension: “Unto you is born this day IN THE CITY OF DAVID(Bethlehem, meaning House of Bread), a Savior, who is Christ the Lord…”  Jesus was born at a particular spot on earth, as was prophesied. It is a place that can be pin pointed on the map. He was born according to the will of the Father at a particular time and in a particular place.

4.  Jesus’ coming had a  Redemptive Dimension:  “I bring you good news that will bring joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born in Bethlehem, the city David.” This was the very moment that the Jews had been waiting for. It was a joyous occasion! There is a born…A Savior.” Matt. 1:21- Joseph was told that the baby Mary was carrying was the Savior of the World and therefore He should be given that name, Jesus, which means “Savior!” “She will have a Son, and you are to name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” This was an act of God for His own particular purposes. It was His plan of redemption! Jesus knew very early on what His purpose was here on earth. In Luke  2:41-49, Jesus’ parents had gone up to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover.

When they left for home after the feast, they discovered that Jesus wasn’t with their entourage. They discovered that Jesus was missing. After searching for Him and not finding Him, they retraced their steps and discovered Him in the temple blowing the minds of the religious leaders. Mary scolding him for putting she and Joseph and the rest of the party threw the time of anxiety they had suffered finding him missing and looking for him. But he said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”  Lk. 2:49 NKJV   Jesus always carried a sense of urgency about His mission. John 9:4 NKJV- “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.” We should also carry the same sense of urgency! Paul wrote the church in Ephesus, Eph. 5:15-17 “So, be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.”  NLT

5.  Jesus Coming had a Prophetic Dimension: The angels were prophesying the Gospel, Good news, Glad Tidings of great joy! “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!” Lk 2:11 This was good news not only to the Shepherds, but to ALL MANKIND, past, present, and future. Christ, the Messiah was born! He was born to save! He was the greatest gift ever given to mankind. John 3:16, 1 Tim. 1:15 NKJV This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.”  

This is the greatest news you will ever hear! It is the greatest news you can ever tell! It is the GOSPEL, the GOOD NEWS! It is His-Story, the greatest story ever told!