EMOTIONS SURROUNDING THE BIRTH OF JESUS

TEXT: Luke 1:26-35 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, "Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!" But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end." Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?" And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible."

INTRODUCTION:

  1. This time of year is one of the most stressful and emotional period in our lives.
  1. The pressure of decorating, finding gifts to fit everyone, and for many the financial burdens multiply.
  2. Sorting out who to visit and how to avoid hurting someones feelings etc.
  3. Trying to find a polite way to pass by the ringing Santa in front of the shopping centers. (Do your charitable contributions to the local church).
  4. For families that have lost loved ones this will be the first Christmas without your loved ones and this is always a difficult time.
  5. For blended families it is stressful to try to work out which parent gets which child when etc.
  6. Sometimes its hard to be cheerful when you are trying to deal with this flood of emotions.
  1. This morning I want to talk about emotions. Specifically, the emotions surrounding the birth of Jesus.
  2. The way various people reacted to the news of His birth can tell us a lot about how we feel about Him today well.
  1. VARIOUS EMOTIONS ANALYZED:
  1. Marys two emotional reactions:
  1. Luke 1:26-29: Troubled  Surprised; a reaction brought on by something totally unexpected. Caught off guard. Who else might be caught off guard by the birth of Jesus?
    1. Those near death who are unprepared.
    1. Reality sets in, that they are really going to die.
    2. They realize that they had better prepare.
    3. Theyd better get ready.
    4. Anthony Flew, noted atheist and debater of creationism is now 83 and has changed his mind. He now believes there is a God. Could it have something to do with that fact that he is 83!??
    1. Those who die suddenly, unknowingly:
    1. Rich fools Luke 12 & 16.
    2. Many who die young, suddenly, unexpectedly are alarmed and caught off guard at the reality of the birth of Jesus.
    3. If you have lost a loved one this way, be thankful they were Christians.
    4. Those who are prepared always dont have to be alarmed or caught off guard.
    1. People were surprised at His teaching (Matthew 7:29) "For He taught them

      as one having authority and not as the scribes."

    2. People are going to be surprised at the Judgment:
    1. At who the judge will be Acts 7:31 "because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead."
    2. At who will be there Revelation 20:11-15
    3. At who will be accepted and who will be rejected (Matthew 7:21-23).
  1. Luke 1:34-35: Confused, "How could this be?"
    1. Today many fail to comprehend the truth about the virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14).
    2. Others fail to understand the mission of Jesus (Acts 1:6; Matthew 1:21).
    3. Others remain confused about the church of Jesus (Acts 2:47; Ephesians 3:21)
    4. There is no reason to be surprised or confused about Jesus.
    5. The truth is available John 8:32 "You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free."
  1. Joseph: Matthew 1:18-20: Cheated, let down, maybe even humiliated.
  1. People often feel let down religiously.
  2. Maybe they dont feel like they thought they would.
  3. Maybe they expected religion to take away their temptations.
  4. Maybe they thought desires for sinful addictions would go away.
  5. Maybe let down by the negative reaction of others.
  6. Maybe they expected the people in the church to be something they are not.
  7. Maybe they thought the excitement would continue forever.
  8. Maybe they didnt realize what an awesome responsibility living the Christian life is.
  9. May feel let down because prayers are not always answered the way we thought they would be.
  1. King Herod Matthew 2:1-3: Threatened; Imagined fear: He really had no reason to fear Jesus taking over His throne:
  1. Today Jesus poses a threat to those who live and make their living in sinful lifestyles.
    1. The man at the liquor store does not want you to become a Christian.
    2. The makers of the dirty movies and books dont either.
    3. The casino owners dont.
  1. Those who want to exercise control over the minds and lives of others:
    1. Christians are under the control of Jesus alone.
    2. Even spouses take a back seat to Jesus.
  1. Many feel threatened by the Lordship of Jesus.
    1. That they can no longer engage in just any activity etc.
  1. Families of Bethlehem: Grief Stricken: Matthew 2:16-18
  1. It is not unusual for families to be stricken with grief when accepting Jesus.
  2. Sometimes people are banished from families for turning their backs on the family religion.
  3. Sometimes people are fired from their jobs for no longer going along with questionable business practices etc.
  4. Apostle Paul
  5. James Acts 12
  6. Stephen in Acts 7
  7. Matthew 10:34-39 "Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn "'a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law- a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.' "Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.
  8. Luke 14:26-27 "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters-yes, even his own life-he cannot be my disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
  9. People hate change, even if its for the better!
  1. Shepherds in the field: Luke 2:9,15,20: Afraid, curious and thankful:
  1. Great men and women of God should stand in fear, reverence and awe of Him.
  2. Isaiah 6:6-9 "Woe is me for I am undone"
  3. Curious folks are more prone to investigate.
  4. Investigation often leads to obedience.
  5. After their investigation, the Shepherds left with thankful hearts full of praise.
  1. Wise Men: Matthew 2:2,9,11: Fascination, rejoicing and worship:
  1. Wise people make it a point to do the research and find the truth.
  2. Once they find it they must obey it.
  3. The wise men worshipped and gave gifts.
  4. It is a crime in the church, when we fail to give the total person to God.
  5. He wants our time, talents, our energy, abilities and opportunities.
  6. He wants us to work at telling others about Him.
  1. People who heard the message: Luke 2:17-18; Wonderment:
  1. The message of the birth of Jesus affects everyone.
  2. Because He was born:
    1. Sinners have a Savior.
    2. Christians have a Lord.
    3. The world has hope.
    4. The wicked and rebellious have a judge
  1. The proper kind of wonderment will cause us desire to know more about Jesus, His life, His atoning blood, His Kingdom the church,
  2. Some wonder in disbelief about how people can accept the writings of an ancient book and follow the teachings of an ancient historical character.
  1. Emotions of God:
  1. What was do you suppose God was feeling about all of this?
  1. Great joy: because He was going to reconcile the evil and corrupt world to Himself through His Son.
  2. Great Sorrow: because this reconciliation was going to cost His Son, pain, sorrow and eventually death.
  1. The birth of that baby in a feed trough so many years ago, tells us that God loves us with a love that defies definition.

Conclusion:

  1. How will you respond to His love today?
  2. Will you accept it or deny it?
  3. Which of these many emotions are you feeling?
  1. Trouble, alarm or confusion like Mary?
  2. Cheated, let down or humiliated like Joseph?
  3. Threatened, like King Herod?
  4. Grief-stricken, like the families of Bethlehem?
  5. Afraid, curious and thankful, Like the shepherds?
  6. Fascinated, rejoicing and worshipful, like the wise men?
  7. Wonderment, like the early recipients of the message?
  8. Full of joy, like God?
  9. Or sorrow?

4. Let us pray that whatever you are feeling this moment it will lead you to obedience and a closer relationship with God.

 



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