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. (Luke 2:1-2)
The census was critical to the governance of an expanding Roman Empire's peoples. It offered a record of citizens and their property, as well as a description of their obligations and rights.
Scripture tells us that a census had already been taken while Quirinius was governor (10 B.C. and 7 B.C.). However, there was widespread concern at the time about the country's growing population and fear that it might be unable to feed itself. Therefore, the government called a Census since no one had precise statistics on the number of people living in the country.
Some biblical versions record 'registered', others record 'counted' while others state 'taxed'. There is no controversy nor hairsplitting over this. The explanation is simple; on most occasions, whenever a census was conducted, a tax was collected. This was true of most governments and empires. In fact, looking back at Israel's history, taxes were collected at certain times when censuses were conducted. (Exodus 30:12-16)
The phrase "all the world" is rhetoric, as the decree did not go to the entire world. Reference is rather to the whole of the Roman Empire: those within its jurisdiction throughout the world.
3So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. 4Joseph 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, 5to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. (Luke 2:3-5)
Amongst the Jews, the record-keeping of lineages within tribes was very important. The records were very detailed, and this could account for the reason why scribes were highly regarded. Every Jew had to register in the city in which their ancestral documents were located. For Joseph, his was Bethlehem, known to be the City of David.
In the then culture, betrothal was known to be a binding prelude to the marriage contract. Although it was weightier than a promissory marriage or an engagement, it still was not a full-fledged contract between both parties, as the contract had still not been consummated. It was a binding legal agreement that involved faithfulness. If either party was found to be unfaithful, they would be guilty of adultery, and the contract would be null. For this reason, Joseph and Mary could be called husband and wife.
So it was that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. (Luke 2:6)
The journey from Galilee up to Bethlehem was some great distance as it took about a month to travel by foot. Mary travelled this distance while she was about seven or eight months pregnant. The fact that they undertook this uneasy journey revealed submission to the government.
One may say that the obedience was a result of the punitive implication of not going to be registered. However, aside from the fact that the Bible never stated any of such, if this was the case, Joseph and Mary still had a tenable reason to miss the census. In all, it is important that believers obey constituted authority, not because of the punitive implication of disobedience, or merely because the Bible states that we obey, but because it is the true nature of the believer to be submissive to authority as touching anything good.
And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:7)
Luke records 'firstborn son'. This means two significant things. God had always spoken about the child that opened the womb, and he commanded their consecration unto Him. Jesus being the first was not a coincidence. He was set apart for the work of Redemption. (Read Exodus 13:2, Numbers 8:16). Secondly, there is a silent indication that Jesus was not the only one-child of Joseph and Mary.
"In a manger" depicts the lowliness of Jesus and His family. The beauty of the whole scenery is in the fact that all of it is the fulfilment of prophecy. (Read Isaiah 53: 1-3)
8Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. (Luke 2:8-9)
In John 10:11, Jesus described Himself as “the Good Shepherd.” That is an important distinction for all types of leadership to consider. The qualities that made Jesus the Good Shepherd are the same qualities that still characterize a worthy leader.
Shepherds living out in the fields
The shepherds were where the sheep were. A responsible leader is always connected to his people. He or she finds ways and means to connect with their people. And because of this connection, they know what the people are going through; they share their trials and triumphs.
Shepherds keeping watch over their flock by night
Scripture tells us that the shepherds were alert and keeping watch over their flock. A responsible leader always watches over his or her flock by praying for them regularly. In Matthew 26:41, Lord Jesus told us, “Watch and pray” Watching and prayer always go together.
Scripture further tells us that they were not just watching; they were watching by night
Watching by night means that their watching was sacrificial in nature. I believe this is symbolic of prayer and fasting. Leaders that carry the heart of the Good Shepherd will fast and pray for the people they lead.
Why is watching so important?
Watching is important because it ensures protection.
The New Testament identifies three types of wolves that will kill, steal and destroy unprotected sheep:
1. False Teachers
29“I know that after I leave, imposters who have no loyalty to the flock will come among you like savage wolves. 30Even some from among your very own ranks will rise up, twisting the truth to seduce people into following them instead of Jesus. (Acts 20:29-30 TPT)
2. Grossly Immoral Believers
It’s been widely reported that there is gross sexual immorality among you—the kind of immorality that’s so revolting it’s not even tolerated by the social norms of unbelievers. (1Corinthians 5:1-2 TPT)
The Corinthian church was battling immorality of the highest degree and to make matters worse, it was not on the outside, the problem was that they had accepted such behaviour in church. Apostle Paul as a good leader was warning them to this danger.
3. Those Who are Repeatedly Divisive
After a first and second warning, have nothing more to do with a divisive person who refuses to be corrected. (Titus 3:10 TPT)
A devise person is one who refuses to acknowledge correction. Apostle Paul warned the church of such.
And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them
This verse is such an encouragement to leaders who genuinely care for His people. Such leaders will receive special revelations from the Lord Himself. They will operate in the angelic ministry. They will carry the glory of God with them wherever they go.
Will you rise up and take care of God’s people? You don’t have to be someone who has big titles and money; all you need is to have a shepherd’s heart.
Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. (Luke 2:10)
This was God's announcement of redemption to mortal men. A point of note here is the content of the promise, which says "to all people". This promise had always been clear of any private interpretation. God's promise of Jesus had always been promised to all the earth, right from the beginning. (See Genesis 3:15, 18:18, 22:18).
Anything beyond this was borne out of religious fanaticism and extremism by the Jewish leadership. Nowhere in scripture was the seed (Christ) a blessing for the Jews alone.
For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:11)
For unto you is born this day
It happened on a day in history. Not a day in some mythological, imaginary story, but a day when “Caesar Augustus was the emperor of Rome and Quirinius was governor of Syria.”
It Was a Real City
“. . . in the city of David.” It happened in a city. Not in Narnia. Not in Middle Earth. Not in a galaxy far, far away. It happened in a city about 7,000 miles from Minneapolis. The city still exists even today.
The city’s name is Bethlehem (Luke 2:4, “Joseph also went up from Galilee . . . to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem.”) Bethlehem, six miles from Jerusalem. Bethlehem, the city where Jesse lived, the father of David, the great king of Israel. Bethlehem, the city that Micah prophesied over:
But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. (Micah 5:2).
a Savior
If you have ever sinned against God, you need a Savior. The angel said to Joseph, “You shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). Only God can forgive sins against God. That is why God sent the eternal Son of God into the world because he is God.
who is Christ the Lord
Christ is the English for Christos, which means “anointed one,” which is the meaning of “Messiah” (John 1:41; 4:25). This is the one long-predicted, long-awaited, the one anointed above all others (Psalm 45:7).
And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger." (Luke 2:12)
The angel gave the sign straight way up. There was no request from the men, even though the Jews always sought a sign. (See Matthew 12: 38, 39, 16:1-4). Signs confirm God's word and do not necessarily imply the absence of faith. Interestingly, the accuracy of the sign makes the verse appear like a rewrite of a previous verse, vs 7. Luke records all that is necessary for our knowledge as regards the finding of the babe.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" (Luke 2:13-14)
Thus announcement was significant such that it sparked a celebration amongst angelic troops. A similar celebration occurred on account of the creation. This shows how a priority this was in the annals of God. (see Job 38:7)
The angels established a principle on the only source of peace for the earth. In the contemporary world, peace is the aim of major political and socio-economic systems, ideologies, and other world organizations. However, there seems to be no headway on this search.
Men seek peace, but hardly peace with God, for it is from the wells of peace with God which stills the heart that one lives his life in tranquillity amongst other people. In the coming age, there would be a state of peace because that seed would have been sown on the inside of men and women. Peace can only exist in a community where men have their hearts ruled by the Prince of Peace.
So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us." (Luke 2:15)
The message of the angels left no doubt amongst the Shepherds to the point that there was spurred in them a level of urgency to see the work of God amongst men.
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