Luke 2:1 NET Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus to register all the empire for taxes. 2:2 This was the first registration, taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 2:3 Everyone went to his own town to be registered. 2:4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David. 2:5 He went to be registered with Mary, who was promised in marriage to him, and who was expecting a child.
What is not said in this text may give interesting insight into what is said. If Joseph was a property owner in Bethlehem, why would he not have had a place for Mary and himself to stay while there? Obviously, he did own property there for he was being registered that he might be taxed for it. Either he owned property with no dwelling on it, or he "rented" it out while living in Nazareth, which might be the more reasonable answer. The point is that God was guiding every step of the way in order to fulfill His Word regarding the birth of His Son.
CONSIDER:
He Guided the Government - "a decree went out" - Sometimes we are very suspicious and skeptical of the Providential Guidance of God. Oh, we say we believe He is Sovereign and that He oversees the affairs of men and that He sets kings up and brings them down - EXCEPT when it comes to our personal political persuasions. Paul, in Romans 13, as well as Peter, in his epistle, makes it clear that government is the establish authority of God, even when it is not godly! God uses ungodly government to chasten, purge, and purify His people and to let folks see what ungodly and corrupt governing can do. So, am I saying that God wants men like Hitler to be in power? Absolutely not! Neither did He want Saul to be king over Israel, but Israel would not have it any other way, just as Germany would have it NO other way, so God gave them both the desires of their heart AND leanness of soul. He used them both to chasten them and to be an example to the world! We should be able now to recognize madmen and reject their leadership. Many are hurt when man will not listen to and follow God's PERSONAL Guidance as we see in the next point.
He Guided the Girl - "Mary...who was expecting a child" - There can be no question that Heaven moved Earth for this young girl! I know it can be argued that He didn't do it for her, but for HIM, the Messiah, but the truth is that God found a heart before He found a womb. He found a young girl whose heart was pure and whose single desire was - "BE IT UNTO ME ACCORDING TO THY WORD." Think of it! Regardless of the personal shame and pain, He filled her heart with peace as He filled her womb with the Prince of Peace. Mary was a sinner in need of a savior, just as all of us are. She acknowledged that herself with her own words in the "Magnificat" - "My spirit has rejoiced in God MY SAVIOR!"
God never chose her because she was sinless, but because she was submissive! That is the way God does things! That truth cannot be comprehended by the mind for it has to be revealed by the Spirit. If Mary had been sinless, Joseph would never have suspected her of unfaithfulness, for he would have not that she could not have been.
God doesn't expect you to be perfect for Him to guide you personally, but He does demand that you be pure and that you prefer Him to all else. That is the heart that pleases God! As we think about God's Greatest Gift to us this Christmas, let us be reminded of the fact that the only gift we can give Him that is acceptable to Him is a body that is holy as an intelligent act of worship.
BLESSINGS!
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