Day 24- The Birth of Jesus
Luke chapter two is the announcement of Christ’s birth and verses one through seven are probably the most popular text that is used when reading the story of Christ’s miraculous and divine birth.
Nevertheless, Luke starts out his story of Jesus birth by meticulously establishing and explaining the historical context that surrounds the birth of Christ, relating it to the events in the Roman Empire.
Caesar Augustus was emperor of Rome from 30 B.C. Until A.D. 14 and Quirinius was the governor of Syria 10–7 B.C. and later served a second term during A.D. 6–9. This was the political backdrop and the picture that Luke was trying to capture in these verses.
Caesar was emperor and Quirinius was governor and there was a census taking place that was for the purpose of taxation. However, there was also a prophetic undertone that was being played out as well in these verses.
Luke tells us that Joseph went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem. Notice that Luke mentions again the fact that David and the city of David are indeed prophetically and divinely connected with the birth of Jesus.
This was prophesied some four-hundred years ago and now it’s about to take place. And to start it off, Joseph was going back to his hometown to be registered with Mary his betrothed wife, who was with child.
And so it was, that while they were there the days were completed for her to be delivered. Nevertheless, before we go on, I want you to see the timing of God in all of this. I also want you to see the circumstances of uncertainty and the events of inconvenience that took place in these stories that surrounds the birth of Jesus. However, I also want you to understand that the hand of God was in it all.
As I mentioned, inconvenience and uncertainty is seen throughout these stories. For example, with Zacharias and Elizabeth, their prayers were unanswered for years and Zacharias couldn’t speak for nine months. And what about Mary and Joseph? They had experienced first hand, the frustration and tension of trusting one another in regard to this miraculous conception.
And, there’s no doubt that they encountered some humiliation and embarrassment that came from the speculation and disbelief surrounding her pregnancy. There would have also been assumptions and doubts for everyone involved—including themselves.
And now to top is all off, Mary was pregnant and had to travel by donkey back to Bethlehem. The trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem was approximately seventy miles. Therefore, it could have taken them around four days to make this journey. Remember, Mary is nine months pregnant and was inevitably now riding on the back of a donkey.
And, in spite of all these less than desirable circumstances that surrounded them—they were obedient and faithful and God’s plan was fulfilled through them. Zacharias and Elizabeth and Mary and Joseph were obedient, steadfast, and faithful. And through them, God fulfilled His divine plan of bringing humankind a way back to Himself through Jesus—by grace through faith. For unto us a Child was born.
Take Away: God’s timing was seen through it all and the sequence of events that follow are not an accident or coincidence: The timing of John being born at the same time as Jesus was born. Mary being betrothed to Joseph and Joseph being from Bethlehem where it prophesied that Jesus would be born. The decree for a census at the same time that Mary would deliver the promised child—who would be, the Savior of the world.
God’s timing was impeccable! It was divinely guiding every twist, turn and sequence of these stories. And, if He did it for them—He will do it for you! He sees every detail of your life and he cares about you. I want to know today, that like the great Charles Spurgeon once said, “When you can’t trace the hand of God, you can trust His heart.”
When it comes to the timing of God—you can trust His heart! He sees you, He knows you, and He is working all things for your good. And talk about the timing of God! Mary and Joseph were safely in Bethlehem for the census and the time had now come for her to deliver and Mary wrapped Jesus in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for Him in the Inn.
