Great Things In Bethlehem of Judaea
Mary and Joseph were married in Nazareth of Galilee. Before their marriage, Mary received and believed a message from Gabriel, the angel of the Lord, and became pregnant with God’s son. Mary was with child during the first year of marriage and, in the ninth month of her pregnancy, the two traveled from Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem in Judaea. While in Bethlehem, the baby, the promised redeemer and son of God, was born.
It came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. 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 Bethlehem (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. LUKE 2:1,3-6
Both Joseph and Mary were direct descendants of David, and as such were both ‘of the house and lineage of David’. Their ancestor, David, had been born in Bethlehem of Judaea.
Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehem-Judah, whose name was Jesse; and he [Jesse] had eight sons. I SAMUEL 17: 12A
The government of the Roman Empire had decreed that all adult subjects under its rulership must go to the city of their ancestry for a special Empire-wide registration. That is why Mary and Joseph were compelled to travel to Bethlehem. This occurred in the fall of that year (September of 3BC by our calendar). This was not for the purpose of taxation. This was a required, official registration. The word ‘taxed’ should be ‘registered’ in the translation, and Luke 2:3 should say, 'all went to be registered’.
This special registration had a singular purpose that was threefold in significance. The registration would primarily result in the official declaration of political allegiance to Caesar Augustus from all subjects of the Roman Empire. The declaration of this oath of allegiance would be presented to Caesar the following year (2BC) in recognition and celebration of three coinciding and noteworthy anniversaries.
First and Foremost: The Silver Jubilee, or 25th anniversary, of Caesar becoming the supreme authority and ruler of the Roman Empire.
Secondly: The 750th anniversary of the founding of Rome.
Thirdly: Caesar Augustus’ 60th birthday.
Accompanying the presentation of this comprehensive declaration of allegiance, the Senate of Rome would also bestow upon Caesar Augustus the foremost title of Pater Patriae, ‘Father of the Country.’
The record in Luke chapter two states that ‘all the world went to be registered’. Although the Roman Empire was not populated by the peoples of the entire world, it certainly was so far-reaching and all-encompassing that it was very fitting to figuratively refer to its inhabitants as ‘all the world’.
Imagine being a part of so vast an empire, and being ruled solely and absolutely by one man for 25 years. The austere authority commanded by that government would be oppressively dominating.
The loyalty and obedience the Empire demanded would even require this extensive journey by the newlywed Joseph and Mary, even with Mary in the final days of her pregnancy. This was approximately a 100-mile trip, and would have taken 8-10 days of walking.
In those days, all the world’s attention was pervasively focused on the dictates and affairs of the government and its hierarchy. These things undoubtedly dominated the daily conversation. And yet, in the midst of all of that, a remarkable and unnoticed event took place that would truly affect every man woman and child in all of human history. The only-begotten son of God was born in Bethlehem of Judaea. He would be the man to pay the price for the eternal redemption of all mankind!
Just as it was then, so is it also today. The greatness of God is ‘a very present help’ for people, yet His power and presence are disregarded and deemed insignificant compared to the deeds and achievements of men.
Nevertheless, the things of man are momentary and fleeting, the things of God are eternal.
For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away. But the Word of the Lord endureth for ever. I PETER 1:24-25A
There is a familiar saying heard every December that ‘Jesus is the reason for the season’. Although he was actually born in the Fall of 3BC, it is certainly right and good to remember the remarkable, unparalleled events of 2,000+ years ago. Because of the believing obedience of His son, God accomplished the victory over death for all men.
In the Garden of Eden, the first man, Adam, did not heed God’s warning and disobeyed. As a result, the sin nature entered and with it, death. A man was needed who would simply and unerringly obey God. This obedience would be the determining element in achieving redemption and the perfect triumph over death.
His birth was just a part of fulfilling everything necessary to fully meet each and every legally-required detail of victory. The ultimate determining factor would be his free-will obedience. He did obey and offered the flawless offering: himself.
This was the required price of man’s redemption. Therefore, rather than ask, ‘What is the reason for the season?’, the better question is, “What is the reason there is a season?’ The real reason there is a season: his obedience!
Peace, Joy and Love,
Greg & Cindy Bernardini
