Luke 2:1-7
“When It Seems That God Is Wrong”
Has there been times in your life in which you felt that God was wrong?
I. THE DECREE SEEMS WRONG 2:1-3
A. The Providence Of God
“And it came to pass...”
1. God Does What He Wants
*This is out of the hands of Mary and Joseph.
*So little of life is in our hands.
*Everything that touches me is filtered through the hands of a
Sovereign God.
2. God Does When He Wants
*Timing is everything.
*God moves things, circumstances and people in and out of our lives as
He sees fit.
B. The Period Of God
“In those days”
1. The days when John the Baptist was born.
2. The days when Caesar Augustus was the head of the Roman Empire.
*He was the first Roman Emperor.
*Caesar was his family name. Augustus is significant: that is his
title. In 27 b.c. what title should he assume? Dictator, no that
suggests a temporaryoffice. King, no there is not enough
significance. Meeting with the Senate, Caesar suggested:
Augustus from augur…a religious sanction.
*Augustus means, holy, revered. He took a step toward the
deification of the supreme ruler of the Roman Empire.
*The world had at its helm a self-proclaimed, widely accepted god and
savior.
*Luke wants us to understand the back drop for us to understand the
backdrop of coming of the real Savior.
C. The Particulars From God 1b-2
*There went out a decree that all the world should be taxed (registered)
*v. 2 at one time every detail in vss 1-7 were doubted.
*Herod the Great died in 4 b.c. He had all the babies slaughtered in
Bethlehem 2 years of age and younger. Jesus had to be born before 4 b.c.
*A census was taken every 14 years, the first enrollment is an illusion to a
seriesof registrations by Augustus. In Egypt the actual census records
have been discovered from 20 a.d. to 270 a.d. Every 14 years (6 a.d. and 8
b.c…the first census)
*It is interesting the decree went out in 8 b.c. Herod the Great refused to
enact it. Two years went by. (why wait?)In 6 b.c. the decree reached
Palestine…just when Jesus was about to come into the world!!!
*Some use to think that Cyrenius did not become governor of Syria until 6
a.d.It has been discovered that Cyrenius was twice the governor ofSyria
…the 1st: 9-6 b.c.
D. The Placement By God 3
*God had to get Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem.
*Critics use to question that every man went to his own city to be enrolled.
*Here is an actual government edict in 20 a.d.: Gaius VibiusMaximus
Perfect of Egyptorders: See that the time has come for the house to house
census. It is necessary tocompel all those, who for any cause whatsoever
are residing outside the districts toreturn to their own homes, that they may
both carry out the regular order of thecensus and may also diligently
attend to the cultivation of their allotment.
*God was quietly moving these two to Bethlehem.
*It all seemed wrong. The ‘due date’ was near. This was her first! As with
us:It seemed wrong, BUT IT WAS ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE!
Has there been times in your life in which you felt that God was wrong?
II. THE DESTINATION SEEMS WRONG 2:4-5
A. The Direction 4a
B. The Destination 4b
*They traveled 80 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem. She was expecting.
They most likely walked. They probably didn’t travel alone, but in a party
of family and friends. God had to get them to Bethlehem! King: the place
must be Jerusalem! Micah 5:2-4 650 years earlier, Bethlehem was
chosen by God! Why the decree?!
*God moved the whole Roman Empire to accomplish His purpose and keep
His word!
C. The Determination 4c-5a
Registered with Mary is so important: Joseph was not this baby’s real
father, but he was his legal father. This baby is to be King! He must have the
Right: the legal descent of David was through Joseph, the eldest son by
adoption. He was recognizedby His father Joseph.
*His human right to rule came through Mary, the blood descent establishing
His racial lines. The Temple was destroyed in 70 a.d. and all official records
were destroyed. Jesuswas the last one who could prove His legal right to the
throne of David!
*It seemed so wrong, but it was for His plans!
D. The Drama 5b
Matt. 1:25
It seemed wrong, BUT IT WAS ACCORDING TO HIS PLANS!
Has there been times in your life in which you felt that God was wrong?
III. THE DELIVERY SEEMS WRONG 2:6-7
A. In God’s Time
“And it was so...”
B. According To God’s Program
It’s Not Right!They most likely were not alone, but women of the family
were there. 1. She brought forth 2. Her first born son 3. Wrapped
him inswaddling clothes 4. “Laid him in a manger...” 5. “Because
there was no room for them in the inn.”Inn…upper room, guest chamber.
Luke 22:11,12 Archeologist: People regularly brought animals into
the lower part of the house. This helped keep the house warm and for
protection.Joseph’s family home was full. The eldest would get the upper
room. The youngerwould get the lower part of the house where they kept
animals.
* A king or Savior was born in a lower section reserved foranimals...it
seemed so wrong.
*A King may not relate to a pauper, but a pauper can relate to everyone.
Jesus left the heights of heaven to reach mankind.
*Your present situation is to point you to Jesus!
It seemed wrong, BUT IT WAS ACCORDING TO HIS PROGRAM!