In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone went to this own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem, the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. (Luke 2:1-5)
This passage is so familiar that it is easy to pass right over it. I tried to read a little slower this morning and think about what was going on. Several thoughts hit me from these verses:
1. Luke is a man of detail. He is the only gospel writer to give so much historical detail regarding the time of Jesus’ birth. Augustus ruled from 31BC-AD 14 and Quirinius was governor of Syria from 6 BC-AD 9, possibly in two separate terms. Luke wanted to make sure that we knew that this is not just some “nice story.” It is historical fact.
2. Joseph and Mary must have been frustrated with such a decree coming near the time of Mary’s expected delivery. Imagine being told by the government that you need to travel back to your hometown and register by such and such a date for a census in order that the government might determine your taxes. Mary was also required to go even though she was 8-9 months pregnant. There was no system of appeal or postponement. Rome spoke, you obeyed (especially if you were a non-Roman citizen). I wonder if Joseph and Mary questioned God at this time. “Why, Lord? Why now?” I wonder if they got agitated and angry at the Roman government for their insensitive, often oppressive, rule. I wonder if they realized that even this Roman decree of taxation was part of God’s master plan.
3. Of all things, God used a decree for taxation by the most powerful man in the world to accomplish His purpose that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. Caesar woke up one morning and decided to declare an empire-wide census, probably reflecting on how powerful he was to give a decree that must be obeyed by everyone. He never realized that this thought was planted in his head by the sovereign God who rules over all men. The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD; He directs it like a watercourse wherever He pleases (Proverbs 21:1).
4. Why did God choose Joseph and Mary, residents of Nazareth, to give birth to His Son in Bethlehem? Couldn’t He have chosen a couple in the Bethlehem area? It certainly would have been easier for all parties involved. And why did He send them to Bethlehem at the most inopportune time when Mary was ready to give birth and because of the crowds of people there was absolutely no place for them to stay? Short answer…”I do not know.” But I do wonder if one reason is that Joseph and Mary’s experience of coming to their real hometown and not being welcome is a reflection of Jesus’ experience of coming into His own world and also not being welcome. He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him (John 1:11).
Who were the only ones who received Him at the time of His birth? A bunch of lowly, stinky shepherds who traveled from a nearby hillside. In a real sense, the only ones who receive Him today are those who humble themselves, recognize their spiritual “stink,” and come to adore Him as Savior and Lord.
Lord, thank You for sending Your Son! May the story never become so familiar that it loses its wonder in my heart.