A Decree Went Out from Caesar Augustus That a Census Be Taken
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A Decree Went Out from Caesar Augustus That a Census Be Taken
Christians are probably familiar with Luke 2:1-3, which says,
Now it came about in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all were proceeding to register for the census, everyone to his own city.
We hear this Christmas story every year. In all the activities during Christmas, it is possible to not think about the importance of these words. But, they are faith builders that we need to hold onto. These words assure us that God not only kept His promise of a Savior from all sin, but that God will keep all of His promises to us, as His beloved children. This is just one reason to trust God for all of our needs today.
In all of 2 Samuel, chapter 7, we read about how God promised David a descendant (singular), who would build an eternal kingdom. The particular promise is in 2 Samuel 7:12-13, where God says to David,
I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come forth from you, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.
The one descendant from David’s line, whose throne will last forever, is Jesus. Jesus’ kingdom consists of every single person who repents of his sins, accepts Jesus’ forgiveness, and believes in Jesus as our Savior. When we believe in Jesus, we are accepting Him as our eternal King and we will live in His glorious kingdom through all eternity.
There are a number of verses saying that David was from the town of Bethlehem. That does not seem important until God led Micah to prophesy, in Micah 5:2-5,
But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
Too little to be among the clans of Judah,
From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel,
His goings forth are from long ago,
From the days of eternity.
Therefore, He will give them up until the time
When she who is in labor has born a child.
Then the remainder of His brethren
Will return to the sons of Israel.
And He will arise and shepherd His flock
In the strength of the LORD,
In the majesty of the name of the LORD His God.
And they will remain,
Because at that time He will be great
To the ends of the earth.
And this One will be our peace.
The details are awesome!
- The ruler comes from God.
- That ruler is eternal — from long ago — eternity.
- Time will keep marching — until she who is in labor has born a child. Mary was going into labor as she and Joseph reached Bethlehem and needed a place to stay.
- When Jesus preached the word, those who believed in God started living in the true faith and let Jesus be their shepherd.
- People who put their faith in Jesus lived “in the strength of the LORD“. They preached mightily and suffered all sorts of trials as they continued spreading the gospel.
- All those who put their trust in Jesus “will remain“. That means that even though they might suffer a martyr’s death, they will live eternally in Jesus’ kingdom.
- That promise is “to the ends of the earth“. It doesn’t matter where or when a believer lives in faith. The promises of eternal life are to all who trust in Jesus.
- And, what we all need to know, “this One will be our peace“. This Jesus, born in the little town of Bethlehem , is our King of Peace. Only through Jesus Christ can anyone have the wonderful peace of sins forgiven.
So, out of all this, it is marvelous, that about a thousand years after making a promise to King David, and about 700 years after prophesying through Micah — God caused Caesar Augustus to really want a census taken. And, God caused Caesar Augustus to demand that everyone go to their home town for the census at that particular time.
And so, a virgin and her fiancée made the trip to Bethlehem, where the Christ child was born — all according to prophesy. No one but God Almighty could ever work such a wonder. We can trust the LORD to keep all of His promises, in the way that is best for us.
Looking to our Savior, we say, “Hallelujah! Lord Jesus, You are God Almighty, come down in the flesh, to save us from all our sins. Work Your mighty works in us to Your glory.”
Love,
Margaret
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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods
Pray for our country.
This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24
The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.
Psalm 18:30
Sing for joy in the LORD, O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming to the upright.
Psalm 33:1
How blessed are those who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4
Just as a father has compassion on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13
Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1
Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3
Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12
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