Thursday, December 18, 2008
Luke 2:1-5 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.
LET'S GO TO BETHLEHEM -- WITH MARY AND JOSEPH
If it happened today people would ask, "What possessed Joseph to travel such a distance with a pregnant wife?" So why did Joseph and Mary go to Bethlehem? The simple answer that Scripture provides is this: they obeyed the decree of Caesar Augustus. They traveled to Bethlehem to register their holdings for the purpose of taxation.
But, the answer isn't just that simple, is it? To keep His word, the Almighty also directed history. The LORD promised through the Prophet Micah that the Savior would be born in Bethlehem of Judea. He indicated this specifically, saying (Micah 5:2): "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting."
God keeps His promises. He confirmed His faithfulness in time past by keeping his promises and will surely keep all his promises that concern our futures.
Moreover, consider that when Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem they knew that the child who would be born was no ordinary child. The child that Mary carried in her body was also the one whom the heavens cannot contain. He was coming to save mankind from much more than death and taxes. He came to save from sin and its every consequence. "'And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.'" So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 'Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,' which is translated, 'God with us.'"
Did Mary and Joseph call these words to mind as they entered Bethlehem?
We will, as we in spirit, enter Bethlehem again this Christmas season.
