Caught in the Wind of God’s Will

Luke 2:1-5

“1 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to their own towns to be registered. 4 Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child.”

Emperor Augustus was Julius Caesar’s great nephew.   He  was also Rome’s first, and some say, greatest Emperor.  His reign was marked by great expansion of the Roman Empire and the building of great buildings and monuments in the city of Rome.

In order to support all of this, the Romans needed to know how many people were available who could pay the taxes that they would use to supply their armies, build new cities, etc.  Each person in the Roman Empire was required to travel back to the town of their birth to be registered (so that they could be taxed).  

Joseph and Mary had to travel approximately 90 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem.  If they were able to travel 20 miles per day by foot or by camel, it would have taken them four and a half days of constant travel.   This would have been a difficult journey for anyone.  It would have been especially difficult for Mary.

Is it any wonder that Mary gave birth in Bethlehem?

God’s plan was that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem.   He used the needs and worldly ambitions of Rome, the ego of Augustus, the willingness of the Palestinian officials to comply with the edicts of Rome, and the strength and endurance of two very ordinary people (Joseph and Mary) to accomplish His will.

On the surface, Joseph and Mary appear to be helpless feathers caught in the winds of worldly powers.  But in reality, it was God that was working, it was God that was acting, it was God that was the moving force…

and it was Rome and the rulers of Palestine that were the feathers caught in the winds of God’s will.

“for dominion belongs to the Lord and he rules over the nations.” (Psalm 22:28)

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)