|
1 Now it came to pass in those days, there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be enrolled. 2This was the first enrolment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3And all went to enrol themselves, every one to his own city. 4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David; 5to enrol himself with Mary, who was betrothed to him, being great with child. 6And it came to pass, while they were there, the days were fulfilled that she should be delivered. 7And she brought forth her firstborn son; and she 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, ASV).[1] Memory Verse – And she brought forth her firstborn son; and she wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn – Luke 2.7 So, God is in control, we all probably knew that and did not need a study to remind us. However, many times we forget just how much God is in control of everything including our lives. We like to think we are fully in control, but that is just a lie from the devil, he is not even in control. Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem on the orders of Caesar Augustus, being obedient to his command. And Caesar was probably thinking he was in charge when he gave such an order, but little did he know he was just being used by God to set His plan into motion. The prophet Isaiah declared, “Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: See, the virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel” (Isaiah 7.14).[2] Isaiah is prophesying some 700 years before Christ was born. How amazing God is, His control, His movement, and His willingness to wait for everything to be in the right place at the right time. Verse six, “And it came to pass…” very much like the beginning of verse one, “Now it came to pass in those days…” God was moving, setting everything into motion, in the right places to fulfill His marvelous plan. His Son would be born, to a virgin, a woman who had never been intimate with a man sexually before. Mary was this woman; she became pregnant by the Holy Spirit coming upon her and the Most High over shadowing her (Luke 1.35). What does this say about us and how we should respond to what God might move in our lives? First, we should always be looking to see where God is working and join Him in His work. This is the same process Jesus used, not that He needed to know where His Father was working. But He gave us this example to follow (John 5.19-21). Second, allow God to work in our lives, allow Him to mold us and shape us into what He wants and not what we want. We must remember He is the potter and we are the clay. It is the potter which tells the clay what to be and how to function, not the other way around (Isaiah 29.16, 64.8). Third and finally, we must walk with the assurance that God is in control no matter what might happen in our lives. It is hard at times to believe or even understand how God can be in control, but we must know without a doubt God is in control or we will lose site of all He has called us to do for Him. We will be like Peter who said, “tell me to come to You” and Jesus said, “Come.’ Peter stepped out of the boat and began to walk on the water, but when he began to look at all the waves around him, he began to sink. Then he cried out, Lord, save me.” (Matthew 14.28-33). Peter’s faith and trust in Christ was great as long as he had his eyes focused on Jesus, on the only one which matters in this world. But when he began to focus on the problems surrounding him, the wind and waves, taking his eyes off of Jesus he sank and needed to be rescued. We must always keep our eye upon our Lord, focused on Him and only Him. And when we start looking at other things besides Christ, this is when we fail and need to cry out for help. Mary was doing her part by carrying the child in her womb, Joseph was doing his part by not putting Mary away as he could have done under the law. How much they know about Christ being born in the stable, having His first bed be a manger, His first blanket would be clothes used to protect oxen from the yoke that was placed on their backs. All of this was set into motion by God, our Father, Creator of the universe. Who knew from before the creation of the world, Christ would have to come to save us from our sins. This was always His plan, and ‘Now it came to pass…’ ‘And it came to pass…’ when God’s time was right and He was ready. all things were set in motion for His glory. Application
Prayer God You are amazing in all You do. There is nothing which surprises You, yet when I read scripture, I am constantly reminded how in control of everything You are. You control my rising up and my going down, You know my thoughts, and wants and desires. You make my path and set my feet where they should walk, although they do not always go do Your path, nor does my mouth always speak the words You ask for. I am sorry, I ask for Your forgiveness as I have failed many times to do and say what You have required. I thank You for Your mercy and grace, Your lovingkindness. If it was not for Your Son’s birth, death, shed blood, burial and resurrection I would have been lost forever. Please give me the boldness so I may share this wonderful message today and every day until Christ returns. I pray all this in Jesus Christ’s Name, Amen. [1] American Standard Version. (1995). (Lk 2). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc. [2] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Is 7:14). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers. You Can Download This Blog Here - December 9 - Luke 2.1-7 Pt 2
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Author
|