Luke 2 begins with one of the most frequently read Bible passages which describes the birth of Jesus.
With Mary’s time fast approaching, she and Joseph make their way to his hometown—Bethlehem. Around the world, in homes and churches wherever Christ’s followers gather, the story is told and re-told during the Christmas season just as it has been for centuries using the details Luke provides.
Mary “gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manager, because there was no guest room available for them” (Luke 2:7).
Shepherds minding their sheep are startled by the appearance of an angel with a message: “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you, he is the Messiah, the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11). They waste no time, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about” (Luke 2:15). After visiting the baby in the manger, the shepherds are unable to contain themselves, They tell everyone about their life-changing experience. Luke’s summary of the first eight days of Christ’s life, also includes Mary’s response to the amazing events:
“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2:19).
One verse tells so much, and invites us to engage with Luke and consider his story from Mary’s unique perspective. This will also prompt us to consider Joseph’s thoughts even though Luke doesn’t mention them. Instead he pauses, and replaces words with silence. By not saying anything at all, Luke demonstrates one of his strengths as an author. When you read Luke, watch for moments of silence and the times when Luke refrains from embellishing his story.
In this chapter he explains where Jesus was born (Luke 2:1-21), then describes how his parents took him to the temple for the purification rites (Luke 2:22-40) before returning home to Nazareth in Galilee.
While they are in the temple, two new characters are introduced. One is Simeon a righteous and devout Spirit-filled man “It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah” (Luke 2:26). Simeon goes to the temple and takes the baby Jesus in his arms, and praises God saying “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel” (Luke 2:9-32).
Anna, an eighty-four year old widow and prophet is the second new character. Anna lives in the temple, worshiping night and day, fasting and praying. She comes up to Joseph and Mary, giving thanks to God, and “Spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem” (Luke 2:38).
After fulfilling the requirements of the Law, Joseph and Mary travel back to Nazareth. As Luke notes, “the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him” (Luke 2:40).
Doctor Luke then breaks off, leaving us a blank page with a gap of a dozen years without a word. Here Luke remains silent.
In Luke 2 he resumes his story when Jesus’ parents take him (now twelve years old) to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover, a festival that lasted for eight days. When it’s time to return home, Joseph and Mary leave without realizing that Jesus is not with them. Instead of joining all his parents’ relatives for the journey home he stayed behind in Jerusalem.
When Joseph and Mary realize what has happened they go back and find Jesus “in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him they were astonished. His mother said to him, ‘Son why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you’ ” (Luke 2:45-48).
Jesus replies “Why were you searching for me? . . . Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house? But they did not understand what he was saying to them” (Luke 2:49-50).
As Luke concludes, we hear an echo of Mary’s thoughtfulness expressed in Luke 2:19. The reunited family turns for home “Then he [Jesus] went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured up all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:51-52).
Spoiler alert: now there's another period of silence, an eighteen year gap that Luke doesn't even attempt to fill.
As you review all you've read in Luke 2, ask yourself What title would you use for Luke's second chapter? Is there one title for the whole chapter: Jesus' Birth and Dedication; How Old Testament Prophecies were Fulfilled; or Searching for Jesus. Or would you give a different title to each of the main sections? Finally, what verse or passage is your favorite, and how could you make application from it in the week ahead?
