The Value of the Life of Christ

Caesar Is a Puppet

Luke has consistently focused his narrative on the person of Jesus Christ. The events he describes center on Jesus, highlighting worship of him, excitement over him, and joy in him. Even before his birth, a limited number of people—Mary, Elizabeth, and unborn John the Baptist—expressed excitement over the coming Messiah, the Savior from sins.

Mary rejoiced not merely in her role, but in God entering creation as her Savior. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth used regal terms for the coming Jesus. Unborn John leaped for joy in the presence of Jesus in the womb. This excitement over Jesus, unborn and yet to accomplish his earthly mission, underscores his significance.

Luke writes to Theophilus, likely a Roman official, providing an accurate account to assure his faith. Our study affirms the reality of what we believe, centering on Christ to fuel our worship and service.

Now we reach the birth of Jesus. Luke begins in chapter 2 with a decree from Caesar Augustus for a registration of the empire. This was the first registration under Quirinius, governor of Syria. Everyone went to their own town.

This is historical fact, though skeptics dismiss it. The Bible itself is evidence. Jews meticulously tracked lineage, knowing their descent from David. Empire-wide registrations occurred, and "the world" refers to the Roman Empire (oikoumenē).

Augustus, no worshiper of Yahweh but of Roman gods, issued the decree for taxes or to boast of his empire's size. He had no concern for Old Testament prophecy. Yet God sovereignly used Augustus's free choices to bring Joseph and pregnant Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem—the city of David.

There, Mary gave birth, fulfilling prophecy. Jesus, firstborn in Joseph's household, inherits David's lineage and rights as the promised King.

Micah 5:2: "But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity."

Even secularly, Micah predicted a ruler from insignificant Bethlehem, fulfilled in Jesus, born humbly to a family without reputation, to die on a cross for our sins. God's sovereignty overrides even emperors, giving Christ what he deserves—we are his inheritance, to God's glory.

This dismantles ideas like Mary's co-redemption; even at birth, she could not provide what Jesus deserved, laying him in a manger. He fulfilled his purpose from the start, in our place.

God Is Praised

The heavenly host sang:

Luke 2:14: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased."

No human contributed; glory goes to God alone. Jesus accomplishes peace—a ceasefire with God and total well-being (shalom)—among those pleasing to him, not the whole earth. Critics miss the prepositional phrase. This peace draws worship, praise, and singing to God.

Christ Is Worshiped

Muslims deny Jesus is God, claiming the Bible never shows him worshiped. Yet:

Matthew 2:11: "After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh."

These Magi, not Old Testament adherents, recognized Jesus as fulfilling prophecy. As an infant, he drew worship—they fell prostrate. The shepherds, too, glorified and praised God, accepting and proclaiming the truth: Jesus is Savior, Messiah, Lord. Worship is not just singing, but accepting and proclaiming God's truth.

Mary treasured these things, pondering them in her heart. She treasured the shepherds' message (rhēmata)—the angelic announcement of glory to God, peace to his people, and Jesus as Savior, Messiah, Lord. Not her role, but God's glory and salvation.

She pondered—dwelling on them as lovely, enjoyable, magnificent—like treasuring the kingdom or thinking on what is pure and good (Philippians 4:8). Others wondered in confusion; Mary treasured outside any gathering.

Challenge: Ponder and treasure the gospel daily—more than John the Baptist, Magi, shepherds, or Mary. Daydream of Christ amid chores or school. Let responses to Jesus's life overwhelm you consistently.