The Advent Series: The Census

Luke 2:1

“At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census* should be taken throughout the Roman Empire.”

             Roman general Pompey had captured Jerusalem approximately 60 years prior to the birth of Christ.  During the years since that day Judea had become more and more subdued to the point where they were now completely under the rule of Rome and therefore a part of the Roman Empire.  Emperor Caesar Augustus asked that a census be taken for the purpose of properly taxing all its citizens, of which the Jews were now part. The tax that was to be paid by the Jews was their first act of servitude to the Roman Government.  Is it any wonder that the Jews, God’s Chosen Ones, were crying out for the coming of their Messiah.

                 There is a stark contrast between the baby Jesus and what the Jews were expecting, not to mention the comparison of a mere infant to the largest Empire in the world at that time. God had sent his Son in the form of an infant to reveal to the world the difference between how the Lord sees and does things and how man does.  The Jews sought a warrior king for a Messiah who would come and smite the Romans, thus eliminating them and their rule over the Jewish people.  God didn’t quite see it that way.  The contrast between their desire and reality was so great that they rejected God’s path to eternal life thru faith in his Son.  That opened the door to all non-Jews, otherwise known as Gentiles, to have forgiveness for all their accumulated sins. 

                 The Advent Season takes on a whole new meaning to those who have placed their unwavering faith and trust in Almighty God. Live a life that honors the Lord each day and know that Christ came to die for you that you might truly live. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Note:  New Living Translation used.

Resources:  The Life Application Study Bible; The Matthew Henry Commentary of the Bible & The Reformation Study Bible.

* In ancient Rome, a count of the citizens and an evaluation of their property for taxation purposes.

The Advent Series: Immanuel, God with us

NOTE: This being the Advent season on the church calendar I will embark on a series of Advent related devotionals up thru Christmas day.

 

Isaiah 7:14

“All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).”

The Hebrew word for virgin was defined as a young woman of marrying age, while the Greek translation of the Old Testament (called the Septuagint*).  The Greek meaning is more specifically referred to as a ‘virgin’. Those living in Jesus day knew Isaiah was referring to the Virgin Mary who bore God’s Son.

             The name Immanuel (or Emmanuel) conveyed God’s promise to save, bless, and protect His children.  He is with all of us who have placed our undying, uncompromising faith and trust in him.  The Lord provides all our needs (not our wants, but our needs) according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).  The mature Christian slowly learns the value of that which God provides for them and ceases to desire that which is of no eternal value and frivolous in nature. 

             This verse in Isaiah is a prophecy regarding the birth of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.  It is thru him and him alone that we must be saved so that we might spend eternity with our God.  Unlike some religions, there are not many roads up the mountain to God but only one way to fellowship with him and that way is to embrace Christ as the Savior and Lord of your life.  This is a choice everyone must make among the myriad of less important choices we make each day.  Choose wisely this day whom you will serve. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

RESOURCE: The New Living Translation; Tyndale House Publishers.

* Phonetic pronunciation – sep-two-a-gin-t.  The Greek text of the Old Testament was written in approximately 150 B.C.