A SIGN OF MESSIAH: BABY IN A MANGER
Luke 2:1-20
Key Verse: 2:12
“This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
1. What was the political situation of the times (1-3)? Why did Joseph and Mary go to Bethlehem (4-5; Mic 5:2)? When Jesus was born, where was he laid and why (6-7)? What contrasts can you find in this event?
2. To whom did the angel announce Jesus’ birth (8-9)? What is the good news (10-11)? What is the sign of the Messiah (12; Isa 7:14)? How did the angels in heaven respond (13-14)? What did the shepherds and Mary recognize regarding the sign (15-20)? How could they do that?
3. Considering the identity of the baby, how does this sign confound human wisdom and reveal God’s wisdom (1Co 2:6-14)? What does this sign cause (Lk 2:34-35)? How does this sign reflect God’s character (Lk 1:52; 1Pe 5:5b)?
4. What meanings can we find in a sign of the Messiah? Consider Jesus’ glory and peace (2:13-14), humility (Jn 1:14; Php 2:7), bearing our sins, sorrows, wounds (Isa 53:1-5), understanding our weakness (Heb 2:17-18), making us rich, overcoming stinginess (2Co 8:9)?
5. How can we share this sign of the Messiah with people in our time?