Thursday, December 16, 2010
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Ezekiel 7-9 and James 1
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Ezekiel 7-9 and James 1
SCRIPTURE READING
Luke 2:1-7 (NIV); In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
The repetition of these words year after year at pageantries and family gatherings has dulled our ears to the wonder of them, but this short account is packed with the power and promise of our God! The census instituted by the Caesar was not of his own doing, rather it was God who instituted this political event to fulfill His promises to His people! Being from the line of David, Joseph went up to Judea to Bethlehem because it had been foretold that the Messiah would come out of these places!
Amidst the hustle and bustle of Roman order, God was orchestrating His plan of redemption. To the backdrop of a tumultuous town, God became flesh and dwelt among us. Contrasting chaos, the king was born in a rustic cave and placed in a makeshift bed. God, who breathed life into Adam, was lying swaddled in a feeding trough.
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to new revelation of this passage and read it a few times over. What strikes your heart differently, or more clearly than before?
2. This account is an ACTUAL event of history! And it is the most incredible, earth-shattering moment of all time. Take some time to marvel at and praise God for this event and its implications.
3. GOD became a CHILD. Jesus came into the world in an entirely unremarkable setting. Ask the Lord to speak to you about this and what it means for mankind and for your personally.
