This is The Living Word for Sunday, December 18, and Sunday December 25, 2022
Isaiah 7:10-16, Isaiah 9:2-7 — God’s sign of a light in the darkness
Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 2:1-14 — God’s Son enters our human world
Romans 1:1-7, Titus 2:11-14 — Salvation is offered by God’s grace
• See also this week’s linked article which forms the basis of this week’s podcast.
• Watch this week’s video (to follow) on https://thelivingword.substack.com
Isaiah 7:10-16, Isaiah 9:2-7 — God’s sign of a light in the darkness
The virgin who conceives and gives birth to “God with us” foretold
Isa. 7:10-11 Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, “Ask the Lord your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.”
“Ahaz” — a notoriously faithless king who saw much of Judah taken prisoner by Assyria and the northern kingdom of Israel, but not before Isaiah had urged him to put his trust in Yahweh.
12 But Ahaz said, “I will not ask; I will not put the Lord to the test.”
“I will not ask” — feigning humility, Ahaz, does not want to turn to God.
13-14 Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
“A sign” — as often occurs in OT prophecy, there is more than one fulfilment in view.
15-16 “He will be eating curds and honey when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, for before the boy knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, the land of the two kings you dread will be laid waste.”
The sign for Ahaz to trust the Lord was a ‘type’ for the Virgin Mary in Isaiah’s betrothal, Isaiah 8:1-4. The Christian church has seen this prophecy reach further to Christ’s incarnation and birth as Immanuel, God with us.
Isaiah 9:2-7
2-3 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before You as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder.
“Deep darkness” — from refusing to trust God and spiritual confusion, to receiving light in God’s grace.
• For further study see Isaiah 8:22, 42:6, 49:6; Matt. 4:15-16, Luke 2:32.
4 For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.
“As in… Midian’s defeat” — freedom comes by trusting God, like Gideon’s tiny army, Judges 6-7.
6-7 For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over His kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.
“Greatness” — the one born to reign for ever is given four titles emphasising His kingdom purpose, power, compassion and protection. “Everlasting Father” is about His guiding care, not the error of viewing the Son and the Father as the same (modalism).
Reflection
SUMMARY AND APPLICATION Isaiah sets out with clarity what God is going to do — through an unmarried woman, birth of a royal Son related to King David, anointed to rule with justice and righteousness.
QUESTION Why do we (and King Ahaz) find it difficult to trust God?
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Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 2:1-14 — God’s Son enters our human world
Angelic messengers appear to Joseph — and to shepherds in Bethlehem
Matt. 1:18-19 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
“Pledged to be married” — betrothal required legal divorce to end it and Joseph, a righteous man, wanted to spare Mary the shame if possible.
“Her husband” — or husband-to-be. Similarly in v.24 Matthew describes Mary as “his wife”.
20-21 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”
“Joseph son of David” — the angel prepares him to understand that the miraculous conception would be a son who would grow to fulfil the role of Messiah.
22-23 All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
“Fulfil” — one of 12 times Matthew shows the OT being worked out in Jesus’ life.
• For further study see, Matt. 2:15, 23; 3:15; 4:14; 5:17; 8:17; 12:17; 13:14, 35; 21:4; 27:9.
24-25 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave Him the name Jesus.
“Until she gave birth” — the virgin birth is strongly inferred here; in Luke 1:34-35 it is stated clearly.
Luke 2:1-14
1-3 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone went to their own town to register.
“In those days” — for mainly Greek-culture readers, Luke anchors the events of the birth in world events.
4-5 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.
“Register with Mary” — who was of taxable age and who may also have been of the house of David. Their three-day journey took them to where Micah 5:2 had predicted the Messiah would be born.
6-7 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped Him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
“No guest room” — in a home; the small village of Bethlehem would not have had an inn.
8-9 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
“Shepherds living out” — in good grazing land where sheep were kept for sacrifice in nearby Jerusalem. No conclusion can be drawn for the time of year. Christmas was first celebrated in Rome in AD 354 and December 25 later became popular, to fit a Roman festival.
10-12 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Good news — Jesus is the person of the Good News which Isaiah had spoken about, Isaiah 52:7; 61:1.
13-14 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favour rests.”
“Peace… favour” — the angels’ choice of titles, Christ, Saviour, Lord, point to that peace coming from recognising Jesus as the Christ or Messiah, receiving from Him as Saviour what cannot be earned, and submitting to Him as Lord.
Reflection
SUMMARY AND APPLICATION The extraordinary circumstances of the birth of the Saviour of the world are detailed in these two gospel accounts which bring their own perspectives. Both Mary and Joseph had to believe God for what could appear shameful, and trust what they had been told in angelic visitations. The shepherds had to trust God, and act on their unique call to be the first witnesses.
QUESTION Why did God choose the people He did, to be part of this greatest of all revelations?
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Romans 1:1-7, Titus 2:11-14 — Our faith in God’s grace saves us
Jesus has secured for us a privilege which is humanly impossible to attain
Romans 1:1-2 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God — the gospel He promised beforehand through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures…
“Servant… Apostle” — Paul introduces himself as a willing bond-servant to Jesus and one who (with the Twelve) has seen Him, Acts 9, and been commissioned by Him to go out on His behalf.
3-5 …regarding His Son, who as to His earthly life was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by His resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. Through Him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for His name’s sake.
“Regarding His Son” — Paul headlines the good news, how Jesus came as a human by natural descent, was part of the Jewish royal line, died and was raised from the dead — then to be the means of grace for us to turn to Him in faith and receive new life. This will be expanded throughout the letter.
“Obedience that comes from faith” — faith comes first, prompting the change of heart decision to believe and trust the Lord, evidenced in a change of values and behaviour.
6 And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.
Those Gentiles… called to belong” — Paul, a Jew, was called to preach especially to non-Jews. In multi-racial Rome he needed to emphasise that Gentiles fully belonged, and were loved by God, v.7
7 To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be His holy people: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Titus 2:11-14
11-12 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age…
“The grace of God has appeared” — Jesus has come, not to set the bar for what we must do, but as the living representation of what God has done for us. Not all will be saved, but anyone can turn to Jesus and choose to receive the salvation He offers.
“Teaches us” — the ongoing grace of God is experienced by the Spirit of God who instructs, coaches, and encourages, enabling us to live above ourselves.
13 …while we wait for the blessed hope — the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ…
“Wait for the blessed hope” — a clear focus on Christ’s return is holy living, 1 John 3:2-3.
14 … who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good.
“Redeem us… and… purify” — the Lord wants us free of the baggage of life’s sin to partner with Him in His mission.
Reflection
SUMMARY AND APPLICATION Up to now, all the characters in this story have been Jews. Now the story is retold — to non-Jews, with an emphasis on God’s offer of salvation to all people. Now it is more than believing who Jesus Christ is. It is being aware of the spiritual flow of His grace, belonging to Jesus and showing it by lives being changed from the inside.
QUESTION What is our sense of belonging to Christ, and being a people of His very own? Does this make us guard our privilege, or prompt us to share it?
PRAYER Father God, we are deeply thankful for the undeserved favour of being able to know Jesus and belong to Him — a thanks redoubled at this time of year. We pray for a move of Your Spirit that will take families and whole communities from a Christmas card romantic faith, to a realisation that Jesus is present, personal and welcoming to all who turn to Him. May faith rise around us as You enable us to play our part in sharing the Good News. Amen.
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