Seeking Jesus This Christmas- Day 8: Dec 8 | Caesar Augustus, the Arrogant Ruler

Read: Luke 2:1-5

Key Verse: “At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken
throughout the Roman Empire.” (Luke 2:1)

The prophet Micah prophesied 700 years before the birth of Christ that he would be born in Bethlehem. Most of us read the words of the Christmas story in Luke without giving them a second thought ... “In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world” (Luke 2:1).

His greatest act – the one which would have the most lasting effect on world history – was to call for a census of the empire. This was a common custom, in keeping with the pattern of Roman control of conquered territories. Censuses were a favorite of Caesar Augustus. Taxes helped keep the Roman army healthy, build roads, and finance army campaigns to keep conquering the world. Plus, he was a very luxurious emperor. Romans taxed Jews and they followed Roman laws. Rome put in local authorities. So, when it came to the census, the Jews did what their Roman governors and local leaders told them.

Clearly, there was purpose behind Luke’s unique recounting of Jesus’ birth. He was locating Jesus in historical time and place. The birth of Jesus, the true God who took on human flesh, was not some sort of myth. The context was crucial. Additionally, Roman census methods required registration at the place of family origin. This meant that Joseph and his pregnant wife, Mary, would need to head 90 miles south from Galilee to Bethlehem – in fulfillment of a prophecy from Micah (5:2). God’s plans happened as He said they would.

The census was a thoroughly secular decree, the kind of thing governments have been doing since the beginning of time. Yet God used it to serve His purposes and the census had been used by God to bring His Son to the earth.

Pray: Lord, you hold the mightiest rulers in your hand; nothing they do is beyond your command. Open our eyes to see Your hand and moving through our world today. Help us to see the truth, as you show in your Word.