Birth of Jesus

GOLDEN TEXT: “And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” —Luke 2:10

LUKE 2:1-14

IT IS fitting, after having examined the experiences of God’s typical Israel, during the time they were ruled by kings and their kingdom fell, now to review once more the birth and ministry of Jesus, the great and real King of Israel and of the whole world. It is appropriate also, we think, that the birth of Jesus should be our Bible study topic for the first Sunday of October, for actually our Lord was born about October 1, rather than December 25, as traditionally believed.

A prophecy recorded by Daniel, giving the time of the first advent of Christ, indicates this. (Dan. 9:25-27) This time prophecy dates from the giving of a decree to rebuild the city and walls of Jerusalem. In previous lessons we learned that this authority was given to Nehemiah by King Artaxerxes, of Persia. The prophecy gives a measurement of sixty-nine symbolic weeks—made up of seven weeks, and “three score and two weeks”—“unto Messiah the prince.”

This is not a prophecy of the birth of the babe Jesus, but of his appearance and the beginning of his ministry as the Messiah, the One anointed by the Holy Spirit. It therefore points out the time when Jesus went to John at Jordan to be baptized, and when John saw the Holy Spirit descend upon him in the form of a dove. Jesus was born to be the Christ, the Messiah, but not until he received this anointing of the Holy Spirit did he actually become the Messiah.

Daniel’s prophecy states that God’s covenant with his people would be confirmed for another symbolic week—actually a period of seven years—following the sixty-ninth “week,” and that the Messiah would be cut off in the midst, or middle of this “week”—cut off, that is, in death for the sins of the world. This shows that the ministry of Jesus would be just three and one-half years from his baptism to his death.

The record is that Jesus was baptized when he “began to be about thirty years of age.” (Luke 3:23) This language indicates that Jesus went to John to be baptized on his thirtieth birthday. It was just three and one-half years after this that he was crucified, “cut off” in death. The record is clear that he was crucified in the spring of the year, at the time of the Jewish Passover. Being then thirty-three and one-half years of age would mean that he was born, as noted earlier, about October 1.

Since no indication is given in the Scriptures that we are to commemorate Jesus’ birth, the exact day is not too important. The important thing is that he was born, and in fulfillment of the promises of God. Isaiah 9:6,7 contain one of the prophecies of Jesus’ birth, a prophecy which also reveals the divine purpose in his birth. It says that he was to be “The Prince of Peace,” “Wonderful Counselor,” “Mighty God,” and “The Everlasting Father.”

In our previous studies this year we saw the ruling house of David overthrown, with Zedekiah, its last king, taken captive to Babylon. But concerning The Prince of Peace, Isaiah’s prophecy says that “of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it and to establish it, with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.”

This re-establishing of the throne of David, with Jesus as king, follows his second advent. It will be then that he “will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and … build again the ruins thereof, and … set it up.” (Acts 15:16) Then, as James states, the “residue of men” will seek after the Lord, “and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.”—Acts 15:17

It will be then that the angel’s message concerning good tidings of great joy unto “all” people will be fulfilled. It will be then also that peace on earth will be established by The Prince of Peace. The angel said that Jesus would be a Savior. It was for this purpose that he died, and thereby salvation was provided, not only for his followers during the Gospel age, but also for all mankind during the kingdom age now dawning.

The angelic message at Jesus’ birth spoke of “good will toward men.” This expression is usually misinterpreted to mean good will “among” men. Since there has been very little good will “among” men, the modern way of translating this statement is, “peace on earth among men of good will.” But even these have had little peace, for the righteous have suffered at the hands of the unrighteous.

The Scriptures state it correctly. It is “good will toward men”—God’s good will, that is expressed then through the birth of his Son to be man’s Redeemer, and to be still further expressed during the thousand-year reign of The Prince of Peace.

QUESTIONS

At what time of the year was Jesus born, and what proof do we have?

When will Jesus re-establish the “throne” and “tabernacle” of David?

When will the birth of Jesus be “good tidings” of great joy to all people”?

How has the angelic message of “peace one earth and good will toward men” been misunderstood?

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