Keeping Christ in CHRISTmas – Day #23 – Joy to the World (Luke 2:1-7) PART 1
Joy to the World (Luke 2:1-7) Luke 2:1-7, “And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” Christ’s arrival on earth at a dark time in history signified that God had not forgotten mankind. In fact, He had been orchestrating a plan to eliminate the burden of sin that separated us from God. At Christmas, perhaps like no other time, we are reminded that no matter what is going on in the world around us and no matter what burdens we carry, there’s always joy in the presence of Jesus. Christmas is about declaring that there is joy to be found because Jesus, whose name Emmanuel means “God with us”, was sent to earth so we could eternally be with Him. Luke 2:1-3, “And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.” “Those days” that are mentioned in Luke 2:1 were challenging days for the Jewish people. Rome, the greatest military power in the world, had conquered and was occupying Israel. And as if answering to a foreign power weren’t enough, the people had to obey Caesar’s edict of taxation. It was hardly a time for joy, especially considering that Joseph and Mary were forced to walk the 90 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem to pay their taxes while Mary was about to give birth to Jesus. But even in these dark days, God’s providence, His timely preparation, is evident. Caesar may have been ruler, but God was in charge. Isaiah 7:14, “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” But God didn’t just prophesy the birth of His Son, He also made it all come to pass. 1 Timothy 3:16, “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” 1 Peter 1:9–11, “Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.” As theologian A.T. Pierson said, “History is His story.” President James Garfield said it this way, “History is the unrolled scroll of prophecy.” How wonderful that there was a script written by God long before we were ever born, and that all the events of this world, even those we don’t understand, are working according to His providential plan for the fulfillment of His will. Jeremiah 1:12, “Then said the Lord unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it.” Caesar Augustus was the most powerful ruler in the known world at that time. His empire was vast and he ruled it with an iron fist, using his great army to keep order and maintain the Roman roads, among other things. When Caesar issued the imperial order that the entire Roman world pay taxes, he no doubt did it partly to benefit the empire and partly to fill his own pockets. But as another ruler recorded in the Scriptures, God holds the king’s heart in His hand. Proverbs 21:1, “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.” God used Caesar’s edict to fulfill His own plan. Though they did not understand it at the time, Joseph and Mary had to be in Bethlehem in order to fulfill a 700- year old prophecy about the birth of Jesus. Micah 5:2, “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” Nothing that happens in this world can override God’s pre-written timetable of Biblical prophesies. He is sovereign and in control of it all, even when we don’t see Him working. God’s sovereignty over history is not seen only in relation to political structures, we see it also in our personal problems. Think of that distance from Nazareth to Jerusalem, and of Mary’s expectant condition. Why would God give them such a problem at an already difficult time in their lives? They were expecting their first child at any time, and they were not wealthy people who could afford to make the trip in comfort. Surely there would have been dangers on the road to consider as well. Why would God allow difficult situations into any of our lives at a time when we already have enough burdens? He does it to lead us where we need to be in order to fulfill His purpose in our lives. Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Things may have seemed difficult for Joseph and Mary, but God did not allow them to endure this challenge from a desire to see them suffer. Rather, He was allowing them to participate in His plan, leading them to the right place at exactly the right moment. And when we’re overwhelmed by trials in our lives, we must remember God has a plan and a purpose for everything we go through. When we see our trials through His perspective, we can find joy in His providence. Jesus Christ’s birth brought joy unspeakable to the world. An Army chaplain in World War II finally made it back to America on the first Christmas Eve after the war was over. He'd been overseas for nearly two years and hadn't seen his family in all that long time. He called his wife and told her that he was home, and if everything worked out, he would be in sometime late that night. That meant he would be home in time for Christmas. Mom was thrilled. The two of them decided, though, not to tell the children, just in case something happened, and also, so it would be a surprise on Christmas morning. The next morning "Christmas morning" when the children were all gathered around the tree to open their presents, the white sheet on which the presents had been placed suddenly stirred. From among the packages arose the children's father, like a Christmas present that comes to life. The children celebrated with excitement. You can imagine the joy which that family experienced that Christmas. The children had only expected presents, but they found their father instead. Their father gave himself to them for Christmas, and that is the meaning of the birth of Christ in Bethlehem. God has come to us. Our Lord comes to us and bears our pain. He does not stand far off from us when we are in distress. He comes to us and stands beside us. In our times of need, we are blessed and comforted by His presence. He comforts us. In fact, the Bible talks about His comfort and how to have it in your life. Please Visit Tomorrow For Part Two of This Devotion. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com
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AuthorDr. Blackman is passionate about helping others grow in the grace of the Lord. His devotions are centered on how to grow closer to the Lord through a personal relationship with Christ. Archives
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