What's Child is This?

Edited by Steve Fountain from a sermon on December 23, 2012 called "What Child is This?"

So, what's in a name?  In the first few verses of Luke 2, we read about two people with powerful names.

The first person we encounter was given his name later in life, while the second major character is given his name well before he was even born.  Both names are powerful. However, it is the second name which will eventually cause every knee to bow. 

In verses 1-2 we read about “a decree that went out from Caesar Augustus.” Caesar Augustus started out as Octavian, a nephew of Julius Caesar. After the death of Julius Caesar, Octavian was adopted as Caesar's son and sole heir as per the leader's will —  thus gaining the surname.

Twenty years before the birth of Jesus, the Roman Senate conferred upon him the name Augustus Imperium.

Imperium is not a word that you or I frequently see.  It means supreme power or absolute dominion. It is the authority to which all other authorities must answer. That’s the one who has imperium. 

When a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered —  a census for the purpose of taxation — it was done without any argument.  He had absolute dominion and he was the supreme power.

At this time, Judea was under control of Herod. He adverted a Jewish uprising by orchestrating the census to be according to hometown rather than current residence home: playing to Jewish sensibilities about lineage, genealogy and tribal affiliation.

 

So, Joseph and Mary travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem as they were from the house and lineage of David (v. 4).  We read in verse 6, that while they were there in Bethlehem, the time came, and she gave birth.

The next few verses of the story give a rare view of the splendor of God, as he breaks through the silent rule of the shadows. The eternal God speaks to a few shepherds in a field at night, revealing his glorious purposes.

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

While these words are repeated later in the New Testament, they are never used in this configuration.

It is these three titles — Savior, Christ, Lord — which, in an instant pull together all the mystery of the prophets into one person.

He has names that surpass those of Augustus Caesar: (1) He is Savior, (2) Christ, (3) Lord. This is an amazing statement about this little Jewish boy lying in a feed trough. 

1.  Savior: many were casually called a savior or a deliver in Israel’s history.  Even in the first century, people referred to doctors, rulers and philosophers as “savior.”  The title Savior of the World was bestowed on Caesar Augustus because of the peace he brought to the empire.

Do you remember what the friends of the woman at the well in Samaria would say of Jesus, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world” (John 4:42). 

2. Christ: the title Savior becomes even more significant when it is used with the word Christ, which is the Greek translation of the word “Messiah” or “Anointed One.”  Typically, God is called a Savior because he sends an Anointed One.  Now, the Anointed One is the one who does the saving. 

3.  Lord: the title typically reserved for Deity is now being used of this little child.

If anyone had imperium, it was this little boy, wrapped tightly with clothes, lying in a  trough.

Notice the personal nature of God’s plan.  “For unto you” is born.  The shepherds were lowly people and God spoke to them. The child is born for them.  What was his name?  In verse 21 we read that he was named Jesus: Jehovah is Salvation.

This is not just any child; it is the birth of a Savior, Messiah, and Lord.  His birth was lowly and so was his death.  But his resurrection was unlike anyone in history.  He is the firstborn from the dead, and all who repent and trust in him will rise again, just as he did.

Jesus is Lord of life and Lord over death.  He was born for you, he died for you, and he arose for you.  It was his decree from the foundation of the earth and you can guarantee that he will come again.