The Gospel of Luke - Luke 2:1-20

MESSAGE NOTES:

What do we mean by the Kingdom of God? 
Where the rule and reign of God is present in His people.

The Kingdom of God can look different than the ways of man on earth.

The Royal becomes ordinary to liberate the ordinary to royalty.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  Luke 2:11

And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.  Luke 2:6-7

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” Luke 2:13-14

The Royal becomes ordinary…

And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. Luke 2:6-7

For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. Isaiah 53:2 

The Royal becomes ordinary to liberate the ordinary to royalty.

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” Luke 2:10 

It should be carefully noted that the sign given of the savior’s birth is not a child enfolded in Tyrian purple, but one wrapped round with rough pieces of cloth; he is not to be found in an ornate golden bed, but in a manger. The meaning of this is that he did not merely take upon himself our lowly mortality, but for our sakes took upon himself the clothing of the poor. Though he was rich, yet for our sake he became poor, so that by his poverty we might become rich (cf. 2 Cor 8:9); though he was Lord of heaven, he became a poor man on earth, to teach those who lived on earth that by poverty of spirit they might win the kingdom of heaven. - Bede

The Royal becomes ordinary to liberate the ordinary to royalty.

And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.   Luke 2:16-18 

King Jesus came to us with ordinary ways, places, and people.

The Kingdom of God comes to us with ordinary ways, places, and people.

Reflection Question:
How could you better display God’s rule and reign in your ordinary work as a friend, parent, worker, student, neighbor, etc.?