9. Jesus is born in Bethlehem
– Luke 2:1-7
Luke 2:4-5 “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.”
Micah 5:2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”
The census was taken to help with tax collection. The city Joseph was required to go to was very far away. The trip would take a toll on his pregnant finance who was required to go with him. Still, Joseph complied with the Roman ruling and traveled with his finance. Joseph knew that God would protect and provide for their family. God teaches us to honor those who are placed in leadership. Remember that God is always in control. If Joseph rebelled against the census, then the prophecies in the Old Testament would not have been fulfilled. In Micah, Jesus is predicted to be born in Bethlehem. Mary and Joseph lived in Nazareth but Bethlehem was 70 miles away. Augustus’ decree for the census went out at God’s perfect timing for Mary to give birth in Bethlehem.
Luke 2:6-7 “While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”
Those who were religious scholars at the time were very concerned with social status. They believed that the Messiah would be from a royal linage. They imagined a lavished birth. But, Jesus did not fulfill these expectations. From the beginning, Jesus broke social barriers. He was born a humble birth. The manger was most likely a feeding trough carved into the rock wall of a cave where animals were fed. The cave would be used for the poor travelers housing the people and animals under the same roof. Unlike the traditional idea that Jesus was born in a stable, it was probably a dark and dirty cave. God doesn’t need your situations to be polished in order for him to work. In fact, God works wherever he is need in our sin-darkened and dirty world. Jesus didn’t come to display his social power, he came to redeem us.
