“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. And everyone went to their own town to register. 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. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.” (Luke 2:1,3-5)
This portion of scripture is important to us in that it fulfills the Old Testament prophesy that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, the City of David. Everything that transpired back then was foretold by the prophets and found their fulfillment in Christ.
Pledged or betrothed: More binding than a modern engagement, this was virtually a form of marriage. The couple did not live together, but a divorce was needed to break the relationship. (RSB)
Joseph’s obedience to the angel’s command is evident in his taking her to Bethlehem. They were bound by betrothal and would not be apart the rest of their lives. Mary and Joseph’s obedience provides a good example for us today. Their obedience was without hesitation. They recognized the word of their Lord God through His messenger angels and followed their instructions. Today we carry so much mental and emotional baggage. We want to analyze everything and prove things out. If we were close to God we would recognize Him when He called to us. We are fearful of what we do not know or understand. It doesn’t need to be that way with God. We can know Him as much or as little as we care to know Him. All it requires is time and effort. God is available at all times. Even when the night is at its darkest, God is there. During the brightest light of day, He is there as well. During raging storm or flashing flood God is there. We learn about Him through the word He laid out for us – the Bible. As we read through it slowly we find that a whole new world of understanding comes to us. We needn’t be in any hurry when acquainting ourselves with the deeper nuances of His character for it is through our time spent with Him that we will strengthen our faith and trust in Him. Mary and Joseph trusted their God without question. We should do likewise.
WALK WITH THE KING TODAY AND BE A BLESSING!
NOTE: Luke dates the birth of Jesus by the common method of referring to the political rulers (3:1). It seems to have been the custom to conduct a census at intervals of fourteen years. People went to their ancestral homes for registration. This would have made it easier to list families. [Reformation Study Bible, aka, RSB]
NOTE: Luke sets the events of the gospel against the background of world history. The pagan emperor's decree about a census created the situation in which the Messiah was born in David's city of Bethlehem. [ Asbury Bible Commentary]
NOTE: This census probably sought to produce a registration list for taxes. A journey to the ancestral home would have fit Jewish practice, so that the custom was done in a culturally inoffensive manner (2 Sam 24). This was important, since the tax itself would have been a painful reminder of Israel's position before Rome. Nazareth to Bethlehem was about a ninety mile trip, assuming that Samaria was bypassed. Such a journey would have taken around three days. That Bethlehem is the town of David indicates the birth's connection to promise (Mic 5:1-2; the Greek is literally "city of David"). [The IVP NT Commentary Series]
