Luke 2:1-7
"And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn," Luke 2:1-7.
In the first seven verses of chapter two, the Saviour comes into this world as a babe. This day was prophesied throughout the Old Testament times. This day was longed for for multitudes throughout the Old Testament times. There were still some looking for the advent of the Messiah during this time as we have seen in chapter one and will see in chapter two. The forerunner is also born in chapter one, and John the Baptist will proclaim the coming of the Messiah through his ministry. "John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat unto his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable. And many other things in his exhortation preached he unto the people," Luke 3:16-18. Through the ministry of John the Baptist, the people were awakened and excited about the coming Messiah, but here in chapter two there weren't many waiting in excitement.
The king that everyone was focused on was Caesar Augustus. He ruled the known world. Caesar is not a name, but is a title. It was the surname of Julius Caesar, which was adopted by Octavius Augustus and his successors afterwards and became a title. Augustus is also a title and means venerable. The Greek and Roman world worshipped many different gods, and they also worshipped the emperor. Caesar Augustus ruled the known world which went from North Africa to Iraq, through West Germany into England. This was a vast kingdom. Under his rule the Pax Romana was started. This was a time of relative peace throughout the Roman empire that lasted approximately 200 years. This came after Octavius defeated Mark Antony and Cleopatra at the battles of Actium and Alexandria. After the defeat at Alexandria, Mark Antony and Cleopatra committed suicide. This gave Octavius total rule of the Roman Empire. Since Octavius did not have to devote his time to wars, he was able to focus on the infrastructure of Rome. There would be great building projects, but the one that benefited the proclamation of the Kingdom of God the most was the roads. Octavius was a smart leader. As much as possible he let the nations that were under Roman control to self-govern themselves. He placed governors over certain regions. If the governors did well, they would be re-appointed. The governors would appoint rulers under them who would rule smaller areas in their region. Luke, being a historian, recorded these events for us.
Octavius, Cyrenius, Herod, etc. were in power or coming into power during the time of Christ's birth. These were surrounded with people who worshipped them. They lived in great palaces, they had many servants, they were extremely wealthy, and for the most part their world revolved around themselves. They did not know who Mary and Joseph were, and they did not know that Mary was about to give birth to the Eternal Son of God. Octavius and Cyrenius would not have cared had they known, but Herod would have. Octavius is praised for how he ruled the Roman Empire. He is a known man throughout the world today. What good have those accomplishments done for him in eternity? "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" Matthew 16:26. Caesar Augustus is burning in the torments of hell today.
In our text we see that God uses people, saved and lost, to accomplish His will. "Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it," Isaiah 46:9-11. This prophecy speaks of Cyrus, also known as Cyrus the Great. God used him to deliver God's people from the Babylonians. "Even those that know not, and mind not, God's revealed will, are made use of to fulfill the counsels of His secret will, which shall all be punctually accomplished in their season by what hand He pleases." Matthew Henry. Cyrus the great is also in the torments of hell today. God uses people. Just because you helped in the ministry in one way or another does not mean that you are a Christian. This is another reason we are commanded to examine ourselves according to the Scriptures to make sure the Lord has truly saved our souls. It is impossible to earn salvation. "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost," Titus 3:5. "Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began," II Timothy 1:9.
We have seen how God used lost people to accomplish His will. He also uses saved people. How is God using you today? Is what we are doing for His honour and glory, or are we trying to build our own little kingdom? Do we want to be a known person like Caesar Augustus, or would we rather think like John the Baptist when he said, "He must increase, but I must decrease," John 3:30. Let us turn to I Corinthians 3:1-23.
In spite of us, God is faithful. He uses people to accomplish His will. Some know, some do not know; some are at first willing, others are not. It is truly better to be willing. It always costs us to follow Christ; but He is worth it. What Joseph and Mary had to do was not easy. Lord willing, next time we will look at verses 3-7.
