Luke 2:1-6 "And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (2) (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) (3) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. (4) 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:) (5) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. (6) And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered."
God's grace, mercy, love, and purpose for His children never ceases to amaze
me. We have things that occur in our lives that we often attribute it to
"luck" (which I do not believe in such a thing as luck) or we
attribute it to happenstance. It just happened to take place at the right
time. But never take for granted the first five words of today's text:
"And it came to pass." I pray I am not doing damage to
Scripture by quoting it this way, "And it came to pass... when the fulness
of the time was come, God sent forth his Son." That is combining Luke 2:1
and Galatians 4:4.
But why was it important for Caesar to declare the world (of the Roman empire)
to be taxed at that moment in time? Why was it important for him to call
for a census to be taken? Was it just a coincidence that it took place at the
time when Mary was due to deliver her baby? Why was it important for the
citizens to return to their home city to be counted? Could they not have been
counted while still in Nazareth? No, it was important for them to be in
Bethlehem and that importance was not due to Caesar; rather it was to be a part
of the completion of prophecy surrounding the birth of the Messiah. The
Prophet Micah had been moved by God to foretell the birth of the Son of God to
take place in the town of Bethlehem. "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." (Micah 5:2)
It is not logical to think that Joseph would move Mary in the last days of her
pregnancy from Nazareth to Bethlehem. We do not even know that it was in their
minds that Bethlehem had been declared to be the place of the nativity; yet,
God had not forgotten. I believe God moved Caesar to declare the taxation at
that time in order to move Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem. Yes, I know God could
have done it in any way that He desired, but this was His way of moving them.
Do you remember another Joseph from the Old Testament? God was going to
move him to Egypt in order to position him where he could help his family in
the time of the famine. He could have done it any way he wanted, but he allowed
jealous brothers to sell Joseph into slavery. He allowed Joseph to be unduly
put in prison where he interacted with a butler and baker. He did this in
order for Pharaoh to trust Joseph with the riches of Egypt. And God moved
Caesar in order to place Joseph and Mary in Bethlehem with the very riches of
Heaven: The Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ.
I submit to each of us this morning: Whether we realize it or not, GOD IS IN
THE DETAILS. We can trust Him in all things.