Thy Kingdom has Come!

Simbang Gabi Reflection

December 19, 2007

The Lagro UMC

Text: Luke 2:1-20

(A Reflection On the Birth of Jesus)

By: Arnel Oroceo

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a child is given...” -Isaiah 9:6

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

-Luke 2:11

Sing:

O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM HOW STILL WE SEE THEE LIE

ABOVE THY DEEP AND DREAMLESS SLEEP THE SILENT STARS GO BY

YET IN THY DARK STREETS SHINETH THE EVERLASTING LIGHT

THE HOPES AND FEARS OF ALL THE YEARS ARE MET IN THEE TONIGHT

Read: Luke 2:1-4

Bible Scholars say that among Biblical writers, only Luke dated the events he wrote by referring to Roman Emperors. His intention was to write a thorough and factual account of Jesus’ life by setting events in their historical context and here in particular, Christ’s birth.

It was the time when all Israel was under Roman occupation. The words “dark streets” in the hymn was a fitting description. It was the time when the empire was at its height. In those days of Augustus Caesar, the Roman Empire extended itself further than ever before or since, including Parthia and Britain. People call the empire Terraram orbis imperium—The Empire of the whole earth and that is why here in our text, Luke referred to the empire as all the world (v. 1) for there was scarcely any part of the civilized world that was not dependent on it. It was the time when Judea had become a province of the empire, so when the Roman Empire taxed all its subjects, the Jews were taxed as well. It was the first taxing that was made in Judea; the first mark of their servitude. Jerusalem was taken by Pompey the Roman general, about sixty years before this, who granted the government of the church to Hyrcanus, but not the government of the state for Judea was ruled by Cyrenius the Roman governor of Syria (v. 2): the Roman writers call him Sulpitius Quirinus. It was then, that the Messiah was born.

(Source: Matthew Henry commentary on Luke 2:1-20 c/o www.blueletterbible.com)

I observed significance for us of Luke’s mention of the Roman Emperor in the text in connection with the prophetic utterance of Daniel we can read in Daniel 2:31-45. It was about Daniel’s interpretation of a vision by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon about a great and frightening image. According to the vision, the head of the image was made of fine gold, the breast and arms were made of silver; the belly and thighs were made of bronze, the legs were made of iron and the feet and toes were partly iron and partly clay. Then a stone struck the image by its feet, it crushed the image to dust and the wind blew them away. Then the stone that struck the image grew into a mountain that filled the whole earth. Do you remember?

According to Daniel’s interpretation of the vision, the image represents four kingdoms of the world and in the days of the fourth kingdom, God will establish a new kingdom that shall stand forever and nothing could destroy. The stone that has struck the image by its feet and has grown into a mountain represents that kingdom.

In an insight section of the KJV2000 Devotional Bible, page 794, we can see a chart that shows a summary of the explanation of the vision. It is something like this:

Gold

Babylon

Silver

Medo-Persia

Bronze

Greece

Iron/Clay

Rome

Stone

Kingdom Of God

In Matthew 16:15-18 (KJV2000), Jesus asked His disciples; “But whom say you that I am?” Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” Peter’s statement is the very foundation of the Christian faith and at the center of every Christian’s heart. It is a divine revelation from the Father. Jesus replied to Peter, “You are Peter, (from the Greek “petros” which means “rock.” It was not Peter as a person but his statement of faith) and upon this rock I will build my church...”

In Isaiah 9:6-7, we read: “For unto us a child is given, unto us a child is born and the government shall be upon His shoulders...” A child would be born who would be the ruler of His people. In the days of Caesar Augustus, the king of the fourth monarchy, the prophecy was fulfilled. The ruler of the new kingdom was born; the kingdom that shall never end and not even the gates of hell shall prevail against it- the church. Up to this very day, the stone is growing into a mountain that shall fill the whole earth.

Christmas indeed is a time for celebration for the King of kings and the Lord of lords has come to rule! It is the day of the fulfillment of God’s promise of redemption for His people. Just like in the hymn, “the hope and fears of all the years are met in thee (Bethlehem) tonight”. It is not only true for the Jews but for each and every believer as well. Christ meets your every hope and every fear especially those who depend on Him totally.

Sing:

AWAY IN A MANGER NO CRIB FOR A BED

THE LITTLE LORD JESUS LAID DOWN HIS SWEET HEAD

THE STARS IN THE SKY LOOKED DOWN WHERE HE LAY

THE LITTLE LORD JESUS ASLEEP IN THE HAY

Read: Luke 2:6-7

In a news item a couple of weeks ago, a group of government employees who have been asking for a P3,000 across the board increase in wage said that unless the president approves the increase, it will still be a sad Christmas for them. It seems that the joy of Christmas depends on how much money they hold in their hands. However, we cannot blame them. Life has been difficult the past years.

The present traditional festivity during Christmas demands some extra cash than what we normally have. It is so ironical that the first Christmas is a picture of scarcity; “no crib for a bed”.

Jesus was born in a stable -a place for feeding cattle- because there was no room in the inn. His parents laid him in a manger, instead of a cradle. The word, which we render swaddling clothes, came from a word that signifies to rend, or tear, which meant that his very swaddles were ragged and torn. Matthew Henry commented, “His being born in a stable and laid in a manger was an instance of, [1.] the poverty of his parents, had they been rich, the innkeepers would have easily made a room ready for them; but being poor, they must shift as they could. [2.] The corruption and degeneracy of manners in that age; that a woman in such condition was treated heartlessly. If there had been any common humanity among them, they would not have turned a woman in a delicate condition into a stable”.

(Source: Matthew Henry commentary on Luke 2:1-20 c/o www.blueletterbible.com)

However, if that was the condition and Jesus the ruler of the kingdom was in that condition, does it mean that those who belong to the kingdom should be in the same condition? No! Of course not!

Paul said in 2 Corinthians 8:9, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might be rich.” Those who belong to the kingdom are rich! Can you say this? “I am rich!” “We are rich!” “The LUMC is rich!” We can confidently say, “I am rich” because Jesus is our King and we belong to His kingdom! In Psalm 37:25, David said, “I have been young, and now am old, yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his offspring begging bread.” That is a testimony of no less King David himself. God does not forsake His people. They receive grace at the time of need. In the middle of poverty, the people of God will thrive.

Church-based Christian generosity was Paul’s way of addressing the issue of poverty in the first century church in second epistle to the Corinthians. Paul urged the Corinthian believers to show their love for the brethren. He was not asking them for what they do not have but he encouraged them to be generous with what they have. In that way, we will have a sense of equality just like in the Mosaic principle- “those who had gathered much had nothing over, and those who had gathered little had no lack.” That is the kingdom of God in action.

The problem sometimes, kindness is abused. However, that should not hamper the people of God from showing their love for the brethren.

There was a true story about a couple who went into a city for a conference. Since there were many delegates, accommodation in hotels were full. The poor couple had nowhere to stay. They were forced to go to a small and old hotel. They knocked at the door. The hotel manager let them in. He told the couple “the hotel is full, and we do not have any room for you. But, if it is Ok with you, i offer my personal room so you can have a place to stay for the night.” The couple were grateful. Therefore, the manager fixed his room for the couple. A few months afterwards, the manager received a letter from the couple offering him a better job in New York City. He agreed. When he arrived in New York, the couple welcomed him in Waldorf Astoria Hotel. They told him, “This is our hotel and we want you to manage it.”

In Matthew 25:40, the King has said, “Verily I say unto you, since you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me.” Whenever we show kindness, we are serving the King. Then we will not be like the innkeepers in Bethlehem who has driven the Lord away because there has been no room for love in their hearts.

Sing:

THE FIRST NOEL, THE ANGEL DID SAY

WAS TO CERTAIN POOR SHEPHERDS IN FIELDS AS THEY LAY

IN FIELDS WHERE THEY LAY KEEPING THEIR SHEEP

ON A COLD WINTER’S NIGHT THAT WAS SO DEEP

NOEL, NOEL, NOEL, NOEL, BORN IS THE KING OF ISRAEL

Read: Luke 2:8

The angels announced the birth of Jesus to poor, night-shift shepherds in fields where they lay keeping their sheep that night. These men were no ordinary shepherds; they were the strong and tough kind of men; men of no fear. They had to tend and protect the flock at night from thieves and from wolves that might attack the sheep. Usually, shepherds were armed with slings and they were accurate with it. Yet when the glory of God shone around them, they were afraid. However, when they had realized the heavenly revelation- Baby Jesus was born in the city of David- they were quick to follow as the angels said. God chose them to receive the news of the Messiah’s birth and ordained them to be the earliest evangelists (v.15-17).

Such is the picture of the bearers of the gospel. God usually use simple people for great tasks. God has called us from our simplicity to be bearers of His good news. We do not need to be great public speakers to be evangelists. We do not need to become pastors except in instances when God calls one to be. As people of the kingdom, we only need to take with us the good news about Christ wherever we go and whatever we do like the shepherds lay keeping their sheep.

Sing:

ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH

SWEETLY SINGING O’ER THE PLAINS

AND THE MOUNTAINS IN REPLY

ECHOING THE GLORIOUS STRAIN

GLO.... RIA IN EXCELSIS DEO

Read: Luke 2:13-14

The first evidence of Jesus’ royalty was the singing of the heavenly hosts. His coming was heralded with great rejoicing from a multitude of angels. All the heavens were greatly rejoicing.

However, the great rejoicing does not end there after the announcement. In fact, it has only been the start. Those who belong to the kingdom has a great part in that heavenly rejoicing. In Luke 15:10, Jesus said, “Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repents.” We bear the task of sharing the love of Christ. How will they know if we will not tell them. That would be the greatest Christmas gift we can give anyone. Let us allow the “stone that has struck the image by its feet to grow into a mountain”. Let the mountain in reply echo the glorious strain, Gloria, In Excelsis Deo, “Christ is born today in our hearts”.

IN CLOSING

Read: Luke 2:19

The kingdom of God has come on us. Jesus reigns completely. However, it may be difficult to understand at first how these words “The kingdom of God has come on us” could bring comfort to a Christian who is having a hard time finding a job; struggling to get enough money for enrolment or food for the family; or one who is having trouble with his relationships. Let us notice what Jesus told Pilate before His crucifixion. He said in verse 36 of John chapter 18, “My kingdom is not of this world”... in verse 37, “You say that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth hears my voice.”

Christ’s rule is not how the kingdoms of the earth rule. He rules in the hearts and minds of men by the power of truth. He is a witness for the God who has made the earth and against the sin that has ruined it (Isaiah 55:4). He came to reveal God’s truth which otherwise could not have been known concerning God and his will and good-will to men which he confirmed through the miracles He has performed among many people. By the word of His testimony, He sets up and keeps up His kingdom. Christ’s kingdom is not of this world where truth fails but in the hearts of men where the truth reigns eternal.

In this world we need to endure all kinds of suffering. It is to remind us that this is not our home and that this world has no room for Jesus. However, those who belong to the kingdom hears His voice and follows Him faithfully no matter how this world makes it difficult for us. God has chosen us and has destined us to be heirs with Christ. There is great glory awaiting for all who are in Christ. Jesus is preparing for us a new home; a whole new kingdom where all sufferings will cease. As Jesus has said, “I have overcome the world!”

On the first Christmas, Christ has come as a baby. However, at the fullness of time, He shall come again as King in all His glory and splendor. Those who belong to the kingdom shall meet Him in the clouds and shall be with Him forever (1Thessalonians 4:16-18). He expects our loyal service.

Let us keep and ponder God’s truth in our hearts. Let us always keep in our hearts and minds the great mercy and grace that we have received through Christ -by His death and resurrection- for that will give us the power to live as loyal people of the Kingdom of God.

Sing:

LET ALL MORTAL FLESH KEEP SILENCE

AND WITH FEAR AND TREMBLING STAND

PONDER NOTHING EARTHLY MINDED

FOR WITH BLESSING IN HIS HAND

CHRIST OUR GOD TO EARTH DESCENDETH

OUR FULL HOMAGE TO DEMAND, AMEN

To the readers of Reflections: Permission is given to print and reproduce part (where the meaning intended is retained and the part is not quoted out of context) or all the content of the reflections for personal use or for distribution on the condition that there is proper acknowledgement, no changes are made and the content is distributed free of charge. Please be prayerful and discreet in distributing or making the content available to others. This paragraph should be included in any and all content reproduced for distribution.

-Arnel Oroceo

The Orocean Journal

A P E R S O N A L P O R T F O L I O W E B S I T E