Scripture: Luke
2:1-6
Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus,
that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the
first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And
everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. Joseph
also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of
David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of
David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him,
and was with child. While they were there, the days were completed
for her to give birth.
Insights: This week’s sermon passage breaks
down into three different segments. The
first segment I will cover in its entirety today. It deals with places. In other words, the first few verses deal
with the prophetic place of Bethlehem.
The next couple of verses deal with the paltry place of the stable. The final verse deals with the picturesque
place of the field country in which the shepherds were watching their
flocks. The Father moved the kings of
this world to bring about His plan of allowing Jesus to be born in
Bethlehem. Caesar Augustus held a census
every fourteen years in order to receive the proper taxes to run the empire. Because this census required everyone to
return to their home city, Joseph had to return to Bethlehem. He took Mary along with him and because of
her pregnancy they moved more slowly than others heading to Bethlehem. As a result, when they finally arrived, there
was no room available in any normal lodging facility. A kindly inn keeper, however, had pity on
them and allowed them to stay in the stables where at least it was dry and
warm. It was not the best place to have
a baby, especially the Son of God. Yet,
that was God’s plan and purpose to bring about His perfect agenda of saving the
world. The final scene introduces us to
the shepherds and their introduction helps us understand that Jesus came to
this world for everyone. He came to die
for the emperor of Rome and the lowly shepherd in the fields. Jesus came for all. Beloved, the Lord has you
in a specific place right now in order to reveal Himself to you just as He did
in the ancient world to all involved in the birth of the Savior. Your job is to seek the Lord while He may be
found and grow in your relationship with Him.
Questions:
- In
what kind of place are you presently encountering the Lord?
- Are
you grateful the Lord has come to save all of mankind?
Prayer: Father, thank You
that You have a perfect plan that incorporates all of humanity. Thank You for Your gracious act of reaching
out to the lowliest of people and using the “rulers” of this world to bring
Your plan to pass. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment