God with Us - Part 3 - The Presentation
Notes
Transcript
God with Us - Part 3 - The Presentation
God with Us - Part 3 - The Presentation
1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Beth-lehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
When we think of the Savior’s Birth - Christmas season, everything is exciting… we look at the account with intrigue and excitement - but it wasn’t all peaches and cream...
Many of the events in scripture that are of great importance are revealed to us not in glitter and glamour, and in 4K color - they are delivered to us on grainy slides that are black and white - and very pixelated...
Not the cleanest
Not the prettiest
But that’s how our God has preserved and presented us with these great truths and miracles....
One day we will see clearly...
One day - the smudged or unclear passages will be revealed...
God with us - The Presentation...
What was it like when Jesus came to the earth?
Several Observations:
1. time of tyranny -
1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
Caesar Augustus - Image:
Caesar - was born - 63BC as Gaius Octavius. His father died when he was young, so him mother’s uncle - Julius Caesar adopted Gaius and made him his heir. His name then changed, and he became Gaius Julius Caesar.
Julias Caesar was assassinated when Gaius was 19, and he then entered into the political realm… He and Mark Antony defeated Julius Caesar’s assassins, and in a manner of time - he became the sole leader of the entire roman world. 30BC
In 27 BC Caesar was given the title Augustus - and it was at this time that the Roman Empire was born and Caesar Augustus was its first Supreme Emperor.
It was Caesar Augustus in Luke 2 that had divided the biblical area of Palestine into 3 area’s - these were ruled by: Archelaus, Philip and Herod Antipas...
Herod Antipas was in rule during the death of John the Baptist, and also the Lord Jesus...
The Roman’s had conquered all of the land along the Mediterranean Sea - and so Roman rule was in force...
Political Tyranny
Military force
The culture of biblical lands had been influeced by those who had invaded their land -
bringing new:
World views
Philosophies
cultures
religions
laws and ways of governance...
Time of Tyranny
2. Time of Taxation
1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
Another result of the tyranny of Rome...
Another imposition on the people who have been conquered
Another:
pressure
problem
power grab...
these people had experienced the takeover of their government...
their lives would be forever changed
the impact was:
disheartening
demeaning
defeating
the financial tax
the personal information that was taken - the registration...
Hello - does any of this seem a little familiar?
does any of this seem very plausible in our current situation as Americans?
Just another imposition
just another power grab
just one more step to drive us from all sense of:
safety
security
sanity...
The presentation of the Savior - was in a time of:
Time of Tyranny
Time of Taxation
3. Time of Turmoil
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Beth-lehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
This couple together had to go register and pay their taxes to Rome...
She was great with child…
This was a 90+ mile journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem…
fulfillment of
2 But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah, Though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; Whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
Every year - even this year in COVID, people travel to Nazareth to hike the nativity trail -
Today - 12/20/20 people begin their journey through the steps Mary and Joseph may have taken… Historically there are places and a route that they believe this couple travelled… common travel routes of the day - Josephus...
This 90 mile journey on foot takes 4-9 days to travel - and who knows how long it took with a lady about to give birth to a child - (though in bible days - the women did not have the respect or rights that they have today)
The Presentation of the greatest gift ever given to mankind was not done in a time of ease -
it was a time of:
Time of Tyranny
Time of Taxation
Time of Turmoil
As we experience troubles, trials and turmoil, may we look to see:
Where and
How God is working...
He - God - manifested himself to this world in a time of trouble...
May we look for his manifestation in our daily lives - when we face and experience trials.