Unto Us…Grace Has Arrived

Luke 2:1–20 NASB95

Now in those days 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 everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. “This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.

When Grace Arrives It Changes History

Luke 2:1–3 NASB95

Now in those days 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 everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city.

Caesar Augustus in History

Early Life

Augustus Caesar was born in 63 BC as Gaius Octavius, named after his father who was a knight and political power house that died when Augustus was young. He was raised by his mother until Julius Caesar, adopted Octavius and made him his heir at which he took his uncle’s name and became Gaius Julius Caesar.

Consolidation of Power

Octavius was 19 when Julius Caesar was assassinated (44 BC). Following this event, Octavius entered into a political alliance with his uncle’s allies, one of them being the famous Mark Antony. In October of 42 BC, Octavius and Mark Antony’s forces defeated those of Caesar’s assassins, Brutus and Cassius, at the Battle of Philippi. Over the next 11 years, Octavius ruled the Roman world in the west, while Antony ruled the Roman world in the east with Cleopatra by his side.

However, over time, Octavius and Antony’s relationship deteriorated. At the Battle of Actium in 31 BC, Octavius’ forces finally defeated the combined forces of Antony and Cleopatra. Antony and Cleopatra committed suicide in 30 BC. Octavius then became the sole ruler of the entire Roman world.

Rise to Emperor

Although Octavius had relied on military force to consolidate his power, In January of 27 BC, Octavius “transferred the state to the free disposal of the senate and the people,” while keeping some power for himself. (Grant, The Twelve Caesars, 53). Because he transferred power back to the people, Three days later, the Senate conferred upon him the title “Augustus,” after he had declined the names of “Rex” and “Dictator.” This title, which comes from the Latin term meaning “august” or “revered,” implied “no definite powers, but being an epithet equally applicable to gods or men, was well adapted to express his exalted position” (Boak and Sinnigen, A History of Rome to AD 565, 270).

Augustus was also given the title of “Tribunician Power,” which enabled him to stand for the rights of the lower classes. He was given the chief priesthood in 12 BC and declared the “Father of the Country” in 2 BC.

Augustus died in AD 14 at the age of 76 and was succeeded by his stepson and heir, Tiberius.

CYRENIUS (Cȳ rēʹ nĭ ŭs) Roman official mentioned in Luke 2:2 as the governor of Syria when the birth of Jesus took place. Some translations of the NT use the name Cyrenius, an Anglicized form of his Greek name, while others use the Latin form Quirinius. His full name is Publius Sulpicius Quirinius. Throughout his varied career Quirinius served as consul of Rome, military leader, tutor to Gaius Caesar, and legate (governor). He died in a.d. 21.

Luke’s reference to Quirinius as governor during the nativity has caused some scholars to question Lukan historical accuracy. It is established that Quirinius was legate in Syria from a.d. 6 to 9, but this date is far too late for Jesus’ birth, which occurred prior to the death of Herod the Great who died in 4 b.c. Luke’s historical reference seems in direct conflict with nonbiblical sources establishing that either Saturninus (9–7 b.c.) or Varus (6–4 b.c.) was legate of Syria during Christ’s birth.

The discovery of an ancient inscription has shown that a legate fitting the description of Quirinius served two different times in Syria. Apparently the nativity occurred during Quirinius’ first tenure in Syria as legate with primary responsibilities for military affairs, while Varus was the legate handling civil matters. Quirinius served a second term in a.d. 6–9.

This solution affirms Lukan accuracy without overlooking other known historical sources.

POINT:

If God can move through nonbelievers, history, wars, bad relationships to bring about the desired decree to call a census to the known Roman world that would send this poor couple to Joseph’s ancestry origin, to fulfill scripture, do you not think He can govern your life situations to bring about His desired end?

Matthews account focuses on the fulfillment of prophecy declared by Micah (735-700 BC) 700-730 years earlier! Matthew doesn’t mention the Roman ruler during this time because he is focused on writing to Hebrews and yet Luke focuses on setting the historical account for Theophilus and reveals that God sovereignly moves through history to direct it and set it course to bring about His desired end.

Can He not do the same in your life? You are here hearing this message not by chance or freak accident but because you are loved by God and He wants YOU to hear this message of Grace and Hope as you come into the Birth of Jesus season.

When Grace Arrives It Changes The Situation

Luke 2:4–7 NASB95

Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Census was an inconvenience

The first census referred to in the NT concerns the decree by Caesar Augustus “that the whole empire should be registered.” This first census was taken by Quirinius, the governor of Syria (Luke 2:1–5). Luke used this benchmark both as a general time reference and, more importantly, to set the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, the ancestral city of David. This passage has presented problems in that there is no specific record of such a census outside the Lukan account, and the date of Quirinius’s governorship (a.d. 6–9) appears to be inconsistent with the previous statement that Jesus’ birth was in the reign of Herod the Great (Luke 1:5), who died in a.d. 4. However, Luke’s account is consistent with Roman practices, and such a census could well have been ordered by Quirinius functioning as a military governor alongside the political governor Sentius Saturnius around 6 b.c., when most scholars date the birth of Jesus. The other reference is that of Gamaliel’s remark about Judas of Galilee, who rose up “in the days of the census” only to later perish (Acts 5:37).

Joel Parkman

Mary was pregnant and travel was inconvenient

Nazareth to Bethlehem trip 85-90 miles on foot pregnant!

No donkey

When Grace Arrives It Changes Relationships

Luke 2:8–14 NASB95

In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. “This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”

Shepherds reputations

Outcasts: Shepherds. Shepherding was and is a despised occupation in the Middle East; at the other end of the social scale were the Magi of Mt 2:1ff. Both came to honor the Messiah of high and low alike. (Stern, David H. Jewish New Testament Commentary : A Companion Volume to the Jewish New Testament. electronic ed. Clarksville: Jewish New Testament Publications, 1996. Print.)

Shepherding had changed from a family business as in David’s time (1 Sam. 16:11) to a despised occupation. Many shepherds were accused of robbery and using land they had no rights to. Shepherding was also a lonely occupation, particularly at night, as a shepherd stood his watch, making sure sleeping sheep did not wake up and wander and that prowling predators did not attack and devour the sheep

Mary and Joseph--poor socio economics

To those who hear the message of the coming of the Messiah, the war is over. Peace has become incarnated in the Prince of Peace, who came to reconcile us with God.

Jesus not born in palaces and riches but poverty and the basics of life

God’s grace knows no boundary--social, economic, race--its boundary-less:

When Grace Arrives It Changes Lives

Luke 2:15–20 NASB95

When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.

The shepherds HEARD of the good news of Jesus, as we hear it today. The moved into action to investigate and see the wonder and reality of this situation, as we are called to do and they leave proclaiming the good news that God has come down to SAVE US of ALL CLASSES and SOCIAL STRATA, as we are charge today