December 9 – Order of Caesar
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole empire should be registered. 2 This first registration took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town.
4 Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David, 5 to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 Then she gave birth to her firstborn son, and she wrapped him tightly in cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. Luke 2:1-7
Order of Caesar (Luke 2:1-7)
Does anybody else get frustrated with the bureaucracy of the government sometimes? It doesn’t seem to matter whether you are a Republican or Democrat, red tape and long lines are a common frustration when it comes to getting something done through governmental channels.
When government leaders decide to make a change that will inconvenience or cost the citizens, there is almost an immediate backlash of complaint and anger.
Nothing new under the sun
I am sure that Joseph and Mary’s contemporaries felt the same way. And even worse! I mean, it wasn’t even their elected officials making decrees that directly effected their lives. It was the leader of their Roman oppressors. Caesar Augustus.
The Jewish people are keeping their heads down, doing their jobs, minding their own business. They know that their Jewish leaders are dependent on the Roman authorities for their power. Then, a decree comes down from on high – seemingly on a whim, the Caesar has decided to take a census of his empire.
Return to your ancestral home
Each family will need to return to the town of their ancestral family line to be registered. Travel, inconvenience, extra expense, and lost time – all because the big guy in Rome decided to count everybody.
On this scene, we find Joseph and the very pregnant Mary. Nine months pregnant, Mary has to travel with Joseph to Bethlehem. You see, Joseph and Mary were of the house and lineage of David, so they have to return to Bethlehem (the ancestral home of King David).
Prophecy Fulfilled
There are multiple prophecies in the Old Testament that the Messiah will come from David’s family line.
“Look, the days are coming”—this is the Lord’s declaration—
“when I will raise up a Righteous Branch for David.
He will reign wisely as king
and administer justice and righteousness in the land.
In his days Judah will be saved,
and Israel will dwell securely.
This is the name he will be called:
The Lord Is Our Righteousness.
Jeremiah 23:5-6
There are also prophecies that state that the Messiah’s birth will happen in Bethlehem.
Bethlehem Ephrathah,
you are small among the clans of Judah;
one will come from you
to be ruler over Israel for me.
His origin is from antiquity,
from ancient times. Micah 5:2
Order of Caesar Or Order of God
God knew all along that Joseph and Mary would end up in Bethlehem exactly when they did. Just in time for the birth of Jesus to take place there. God orchestrated major historical governments to fulfill the prophecies.
So, is the inconvenience of Joseph and Mary’s trip to Bethlehem by order of Caesar or by order of God?
Let everyone submit to the governing authorities, since there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are instituted by God. 2 So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God’s command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves. Romans 13:1-2
What about now?
When we don’t agree with the decisions of the government, and they do things that interfere with our daily lives, livelihoods, or convenience, do we look for how God is at work in our lives through the frustrations or do we gripe and complain?
I truly believe that sometimes we need to pray and be active in our governmental systems to enact change. However, sometimes I think we simply start complaining when decisions are made with which we don’t agree rather than seeking the leading of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes God is working in the midst of the frustration to bring about the fulfillment of a promise.
Sometimes the birth of our miracle is on the other side of a frustrating and exhausting journey.
December 9 Devotional Action Step:
Let’s do some challenging introspection. What are the irritations from those in authority in our lives that tempt us to complain? What decisions of our spouses, parents, bosses, governmental leaders have frustrated us?
Today, let’s pray and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the ways God is working in those grievances to fulfill his promises to us.
Prayer:
Dear God, open my eyes to what you are doing in my life and in my country. Help me to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit rather than instinctively complaining. Lead me all the way to the fulfillment of your promises. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Access to the other posts in this series and the free printables for this December can be found at the Series Overview page. Come join me as I pursue the peace and joy on the Savior’s birth throughout the month of December!