Luke 2:4-5 New International Version (NIV)
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.
For the next few days, let's journey with Joseph and Mary as
they experience the incredible grace of God. These verses give us the basics:
they took a trip south from their home, they went to Bethlehem which was King
David's city, they were "betrothed" or pledged in marriage but not
yet fully married, Mary was pregnant, and they were going there to register
with the Roman government. Intrigue and scandal ripple between the lines of
this straightforward account. Promise and fulfillment are strongly suggested
with the connection. Faithfulness through the midst of storm is demonstrated. A
real historical context for everyday people is made with the presence of a
Roman census. Scandal, promise, faithfulness, and history collide. Jesus enters
our world very much in a place where we find ourselves — a place of hope and
dreams marred by scandal and disappointment. He will be a people's Messiah. We
know it before he is even born. It makes us love him and appreciate him more.
God has chosen to enter our world as one of us, not as some pristine and
untouched alien from beyond. This is a Messiah we can reach and follow. This
Jesus is one of us.
Thought for today:
Do I give much thought to the fact that I serve a flesh and blood God that
walked among men?
No comments:
Post a Comment