The Birth of Jesus (1)

Luke 2:1-5
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 his own town to register. (1-3) Caesar Augustus was Romes first emperor (31 BC 14 AD) As the Roman empire expanded to the include the entire Mediterranean area, Augustus established the Pax Romana (Roman Peace) from 27 BC to 180 AD During this time of imposed peace (resulting from Roman power), Augustus ordered a census to be taken for taxation and induction into military service Quirinius was the Syrian official who served two terms; a census was taken in each term (this was the first, the second is referred to in Acts 5:37) The Jews were exempt from military service, but not from Roman taxation Registration took place in ones own town referring to their place of origin Augustus decree fulfilled the prophecy of Micah 5:2-5: But you, Bethlehem . . . out of you will come for Me one who will be ruler over Israel. . . . He will stand and shepherd His flock in the strength of the Lord His God. . . and He will be their peace Though the powerful Roman emperor, Augustus (meaning exalted) was nothing more than a man who acted according to the sovereign will of God to fulfill prophecy The heart of the king is in the hand of the Lord, to direct as He pleases (Proverbs 21:1) 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. (4-5) Joseph lived in Nazareth but travelled to Bethlehem, his town of origin Both Joseph and Mary were of King Davids lineage, who was born in Bethlehem (I Samuel 17:12), fulfilling the prophecy of Micah Luke tells of the announcement of Marys miraculous conception (1:26-38), whereas Matthew tells of the announcement to Joseph as well (1:20-21) Mary displayed radical obedience to God though she was both troubled and afraid (1:29), she trusted Gods word spoken by Gabriel who explained that her son Jesus will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High (1:32) Marys decision: I am the Lords servant, may it be to me as you said (1:38) Joseph planned to end the engagement quietly upon hearing of the pregnancy, but when confronted with the truth of Gods word delivered in a dream he also responds with faith and obedience: he did what the angel of Lord commanded (Mat 1:24) Joseph and Mary demonstrate what a person is to do when encountering the truth of God trust Him at His Word and follow Him in unconditional obedience