READ: Luke 2:1
CHALLENGE: Handle All Things with Faith
What kind of human will you be? What kind of parent will you be? It’s interesting to contemplate the ordeals of Joseph and Mary early on in their lives together.
Luke 2:1-7 – In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place whileQuirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register. 4 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. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
God has a plan and they are a part of the plan. This is the Divine Orchestration of the plan of salvation. Joseph and Mary as the parents will play a key role in Christ’s upbringing.
- TRUE STORY
- Caesar Calls for a Census
Caesar Augustus is title for the Roman Emperor, arguably the most powerful man on the planet. The Bible predicted that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem and it’s this census that gets them to that town where Christ is to be born. Apparently, all those of David’s line had to go back to the “town of David” and register there.
They did many censuses in that day and they were typically for tax purposes. How many families can we squeeze money out of? In the world of Joseph, he’s going to Bethlehem to register to be taxed! Mary may also have to register for the “poll tax”. That’s exciting, right?
Mary, let’s go register to be taxed! When you’re arguably 9 months pregnant. It’s Drudgery upon drudgery but still part of God’s plan.
- Joseph and Mary travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem.
This is a 90 mile one way trek for them. 90 miles is a long trip on foot or by donkey or camel or any animal. 90 miles is an especially long way when pregnant. Hey honey, it will be like we’re on a camping trip! Obviously they are doing what they have to do.
- Joseph belonged to the house and line of David
Joseph may not have had a lot of this world’s goods but he did have some royal blood in him. As did Mary. Jesus was born into a kingly line!
Joseph had no say as to the family he was born into! You don’t either. He wouldn’t be here if David had not been here. I’m here because my parents fell in love and decided to start a family right away. My dad was 20 years old when I was born. But without that, I wouldn’t even have life. We didn’t decide to be here.
Joseph was born at no decision of his own. He had no say. All of us have life because of factors far outside of our control. I remind you that the same is true of our salvation. We have it because of God’s actions to send a Savior. There’s no salvation without a Savior and we praise God for the life that He has brought!
They officially register their names as part of the census. The Messiah would be born in the line of David and Jesus thus fulfills prophecies about that. God is fulfilling Scripture and that’s also beyond the control of man. It’s a God thing!
- Jesus Was Born in Bethlehem
Exactly when they were registering, Jesus is born. They are there in a potentially narrow strip of time and it’s the exact right time when God wanted. Where God wanted and when God wanted. Let’s see our lives that way. Where we are and when we are is important in determining God’s will for us. Please note that God is working outside of us in ways way beyond us.
Micah 5:2 – “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,though you are small among the clansof 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 awaited Messiah would be born in Bethlehem according to prophecies.
- Jesus Was Laid in a Manger
Jesus was born, he was wrapped in cloths, and placed in a manger, a crude feeding trough for animals.
Jesus was born in a stable but guess what, that stable couldn’t have been a happier place. Jesus being there is what made the stable awesome! You can be in a less than an ideal situation but the presence of Jesus makes all the difference in the world!
Think about it. How many barns get celebrated annually? Every nativity scene isn’t royal, it’s rural. There are stock animals all around. The reason the stable scene is remembered is Jesus. The reason there is a manger here in the church is because of Jesus. Jesus is AWESOME!!
They didn’t have to make the place great, it already was great because of His presence. And now, He resides within us and that should make our heart and thoughts a great place to be.
Jesus brings beauty to our world in amazing ways! It’s a great depiction of the humility of Jesus. We don’t find him in a palace, a resort, or a mansion. He’s not even in an Inn. He’s in very humble circumstances.
- There Was No Room in the Inn
Was there no room or did the inn keepers have no room for someone who was having a child out of wedlock?
Like me trying to find a hotel room for a man who just left rehab. I was paying for him to stay one night until he could get into a homeless shelter the next day which we had arranged. When they saw who was staying there, they suddenly had no room and they sent me across the street. No room for that guy!
I wonder if seeing Mary’s condition and realizing she wasn’t married was influential on where they wound up that day. Regardless, it’s all part of God’s plan. The selection of Joseph and Mary, the census, the arrival in Bethlehem right when she’s due, the fact that there was no room in the inn. All of it was part of God’s working. And we have to see hardship that way – God is working.
There are a lot of lessons to be learned here. It’s a difficult situation. It wouldn’t be much of a story if it were easy. Hey, Jesus came to the world, born in a palace, and never had a struggle. OK.
If you move into a house, and just change the curtains, it’s not much of a story. You gut one and start over, rebuilding it inch by inch and that’s much harder. It’s more of a story as well. Our story is often in the hardships that we face. That’s the story!
Even in the Fairy Tales – what’s the story? Sleeping Beauty under a spell. Snow White poisoned. Beauty and the beast. There’s trauma! Look at nursery rhymes – a disaster. Mother Hubbard’s cupboard is bare. Jack and Jill fell down. Let’s not even talk about Humpty Dumpty.
It’s good to remember that! Hardship is part of the story and part of how God is involved in our lives.
I’d like to turn my attention to their parenting and what it takes. We can all learn.
- TRUE PARENTING
Here’s what the world needs
- Parents Who Trust God
Fact: You TRULY TRUST God when you’re put into situations where you MUST trust God. Where do we witness their faith? Mary accepts God’s mission for her to be the mother of the Messiah. Since God is trustworthy, He communicates with Joseph in a dream and calms his fears and He keeps them together as a couple.
Joseph trusts God telling Him that Mary’s pregnancy is not due to unfaithfulness, but because she was chosen to be the mother of the Messiah and it’s by the Holy Spirit.
What we learn is that trusting God doesn’t mean that everything will go smoothly because it doesn’t! It’s a long trip. There’s no room in the Inn. His first cradle is a feeding trough for animals. It was not easy and faith doesn’t make life easy but it does make it a lot easier to deal with!
Joseph and Mary experienced an enormous change to their life plan. I would say that it’s better! When God alters our path, can we still trust him. Job’s world was rocked but he said, My Redeemer Lives.
So many things that happen to us are outside of our control. We are talking about dealing with forces outside of us that impact us. However, please remember that these problems were not brought on by their poor choices. The mission. The pregnancy. The census. The lack of room in the inn. The birth in Bethlehem. The manger. None of this had anything to do with them or prior unwise decisions. Some of us go through the pain of self-inflicted wounds. Some get put into a barn because of their decisions.
God is working and there is nothing they could do to be anywhere different. I’d have to imagine, they’d not opt for the struggle of a no accommodations, a stable, manger. However, I’d rather struggle with the loads that God placed on my shoulders than the ones I placed on my shoulders.
Faith trusts God no matter what. While we don’t control a great many things, we trust the one who does. This is where faith comes in and it gives peace. As shocking as the scene is, God’s power shows up in that manger. Faith is strengthened at that manger.
Anyone can make it when it’s cushy, what about when it’s hard? What about when you don’t think you have the strength within yourself? What is your manger? You didn’t choose it, the situation chose you. You’re having to deal with loss or with sickeness or with a lay off or 4 feet of snow. Remember, God’s light shines on the manger situations. It’s where faith is vital and real.
Do we have room for inconvenience? For things that are hard? And if it’s never ever hard, where is our faith in God?
- Parents Who Are Obedient to God
He obeys the laws of the land without making a bunch of excuses. He’s obeying God. He’s obeying Caesar. He’s doing what he’s supposed to be doing.
Joseph – marry Mary even though she’s already pregnant and people are going to talk! Be dad to the Messiah. Now, need you in Bethlehem. Later he’ll be told to flee to Egypt. Nothing is easy at times. And sometimes you may not want to walk the path before you even though it’s clearly the path.
Do you think that they want to go to Bethlehem? Hey, I’m about ready to give birth, let’s definitely take a 90 mile trip to Bethlehem where I can have this child. Let’s go to some strange place. I would say that the timing was not good. They didn’t really have a choice, did they? We find that obedience is not always about want to.
They had a calling on their life. They had a mission and that was part of the mission. I have found that obedience isn’t always easy. We’re all called to serve and serving isn’t always easy. The calling to be a parent is one of the greatest things in the world but it’s definitely not easy.
The things God calls us to do from serving to tithing to loving others to forgiving to honesty, isn’t about want to. It’s not about convenience. And you can’t wait for things to be perfect before you’re doing what God wants you to do. Work will never get done if you’re sitting around waiting for when we’re less busy or when we’re older.
They say that today, parents are not having kids because of the economy and other issues as well. One thing we never thought of waiting for was until everything was just perfect. Don’t wait for easy!
For instance, if you’re only going to seek marriage when you have it all together – well, Scrooge took that path and you recall the things he missed out on.
We need to be parents and people who obey God. Joseph and Mary followed God in obedience.
- Parents Who Take Responsibility Seriously
He takes care of registering for the census. He’s a man – and he takes care of Mary and he gets her there safely. He is staying by her side as they are in it together.
They are young too. You don’t have to wait until you’re 30 to be responsible. There’s no room in the inn but he does the next best thing he can. He makes sure there’s shelter. She wraps the child in cloths. They’re young but they’re responsible.
And sometimes we may forget how capable young people are. George Washington joined the Navy at age 12 and his mother pulled him off the ship. He was surveying western Pennsylvania at age 16. What are we doing? Playing X-Box? Making Tik-Tok reels?
Taking our responsibilities at home, at work, at church seriously is defining. This is where you get the chance to truly make a difference. How’s your responsibility level? You don’t need and invite to help out. Young people, your parents are shoveling – get out there! Get some skin in the game!! Don’t make them ask!
I appreciate Joseph for manning up. This is where the “Don’t fear to take Mary as your wife” comes into play. God will take care of it. Don’t fear. Step up and don’t be afraid of the responsibility.
The biggest thing is that you have to keep going. We did a tough hike this fall in Canada. It was called the sleeping giant. And it was over 7 miles one way with a tough spot where you had to ascend a ridge. It was absolutely amazing. But coming back … it takes a while to walk that 7 miles back and you have to keep going. You know the goal. You can’t quit.
Whatever we put our shoulder too, we’ve got to see it through. We don’t go half way. We make sure that it gets done.
If you’re responsible for things getting done at home – make it happen!
- Parents Who Stick With Each Other
These two stick together over time. They will have other children together as well and one of those children wrote the book of James. Jesus dies for the sins of the world. Two of their children make a profound impact on our lives. It’s truly incredible as you think about it.
We know that Jesus was known as Joseph’s son and the son of a carpenter. Now, for this to be the way that people viewed Jesus means that Joseph was there throughout his growing up days. Joseph and Mary stick together. We need that kind of loving tenacity.
Sticking together through thick and thin doesn’t mean it’s easy but it does mean that we’re committed to each other. He obviously cares deeply for Mary and that is seen in how he handles the trip to Bethlehem and in his faithfulness. And in that love that surrendered some of himself and some of his comforts. I’ve heard that the greatest thing a man can do for his children is to love their mother. Let’s just park ourselves there. Joseph and Mary both surrendered some of their dreams to accept this mission of raising the Messiah. Their love was unselfish.
Families, we stick together too, right? Blood is thicker than water and I was always taught that as a kid. We need to stick with each other. We moved as one when I grew up. We all helped with getting wood to heat the house. We all worked to support the family. That was a way of life.
Obviously Joseph doesn’t leave Mary behind or allow her to bear this burden alone. He’s also going to carry the load and be there for his family. He will protect them and that’s love. We help each other and support each other and don’t allow the others to carry all the burdens alone.
Can we stick together and not throw in the towel when frustrated? Even on friends? Stick together, that’s what love does.
If we wait for everything to get easy, we will surely miss out on some of the greatness of God!