The Savior for All: A Savior Born for All People
Luke 2 is the chapter the whole world knows by heart — and yet the chapter most often misread.
It is the Christmas story. But Luke does not tell it as a Hallmark card. He tells it as the announcement of God's salvation to all people.
A decree from Caesar Augustus moves a young couple to Bethlehem. There is no room in the inn. A baby is laid in a feeding trough. Angels appear not to senators but to shepherds. An old man and an old woman in the temple, who have waited their whole lives, finally hold the salvation of God in their arms.
This is the Savior for All. He comes humbly. He comes for everyone.
A decree from Caesar
"In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered."
The Roman emperor signs a paper. Across the empire, millions move. Joseph travels from Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David — Bethlehem — because he is of the house and lineage of David.
Caesar thought he was counting his subjects for taxes. He was being used by God to fulfill the prophet Micah: Bethlehem, from you shall come forth one who is to be ruler in Israel.
The Savior for All does not arrive on the world's timeline. The world is arranged around His arrival. Even Caesar serves the purposes of God.
No place in the inn
While they are there, the time comes for Mary to give birth.
"And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn."
The Son of God enters human life with no place to lay His head. No room. No clean linen. A feeding trough.
This is not an accident. This is the way of the Savior for All — born into the conditions of the lowliest, so that none could ever say He cannot relate to where I am.
Angels and shepherds
In the same region, shepherds are out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. Shepherds — not princes. Shepherds — considered ceremonially unclean, untrustworthy as witnesses in court, low in the social order.
An angel of the Lord appears to them. The glory of the Lord shines around. They are filled with great fear.
The angel says:
"Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."
Good news. Great joy. For all the people. This is the gospel announced in seven phrases.
A sign is given: a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger. The Savior of the world will be identified not by a crown but by a feeding trough.
Suddenly a multitude of the heavenly host appear, praising God:
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"
Heaven's choir sings not for the emperor but for shepherds. The Savior for All is announced first to the people who would never have been invited to anything important.
They went with haste
The shepherds say to one another:
"Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened."
They go with haste. They find Mary, Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. They make known the saying that had been told them. All who hear it wonder.
Mary treasures up all these things, pondering them in her heart.
The shepherds return, glorifying and praising God.
The first preachers of the gospel are shepherds. The first hearers tell their friends. The Savior for All has been born — and the news cannot be contained.
Presented in the temple
When the days for purification are complete, Mary and Joseph bring Jesus to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord. They offer the sacrifice of the poor: a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.
The Holy Family is not wealthy. They cannot afford a lamb. This is the Savior for All — born poor, dedicated by the poor man's offering.
Simeon
There is a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He is righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel. The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not see death before he saw the Lord's Christ.
He comes to the temple in the Spirit just as Mary and Joseph bring in the child. He takes Him in his arms and blesses God:
"Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel."
This is the breaking open of the Savior's mission. Not for Israel alone. For all peoples. For revelation to the Gentiles.
Mary and Joseph marvel.
Then Simeon turns to Mary with a hard word:
"Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed… and a sword will pierce through your own soul also."
The cross is already in view. The Savior is for all — but the cost will be His life and a sword through His mother's heart.
Anna
There is a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel. She is very old — widowed for many years, in her eighties. She does not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.
At that very hour, she comes up and gives thanks to God. She speaks of Him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
The Savior for All is recognized by an old man and an old woman who waited and prayed. The wisdom of long faithfulness is rewarded.
The boy Jesus in the temple
The family returns to Nazareth. The child grows and becomes strong, filled with wisdom, and the favor of God is upon Him.
Every year they go to Jerusalem for the Passover. When Jesus is twelve, they go up as usual. When the feast is ended, they begin the journey home — but Jesus stays behind in Jerusalem.
His parents do not know. They suppose Him to be in the group. After a day, they begin to search. After three days, they find Him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening and asking questions. All who hear Him are amazed.
Mary says: "Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress."
He answers:
"Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?"
Even at twelve, He knows where His true home is — and who His true Father is.
He returns with them, submits to them. Mary treasures up all these things in her heart. And Jesus increases in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.
Closing prayer
Father, thank You that You sent Your Savior not to a palace but to a manger, not to senators but to shepherds, not for one nation but for all peoples. Let us be among the humble who treasure His coming — like Mary, like Simeon, like Anna — and tell what we have seen to all who are waiting for redemption. In Jesus' name, amen.
