Why did Jesus have to come this way? Part 3
Luke 2:1–5 (ESV) In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.
What are you doing God? Why does this have to be so hard? I’m sure Joseph had some questions about God’s methods and timing. He certainly had received a message from the Angel of the Lord that the child to be born was the Messiah and that the Father was THE Father! But no more instruction. Then this stupid census, the Romans have figured out a way to get more taxes. What an unbelievable inconvenience. The expense, the time away from work, the burden on Mary and the baby. And once there, there was no room to be had, just a filthy stable.
But there was this little prophecy in the book of Micah. Joseph probably didn’t even know it. Micah 5:2 (NASB95) “But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity.”
The Messiah king, the Lion of the tribe of Judah had to be born in Bethlehem according to the scripture, according to the plan of the ages. God called Joseph and Mary into HIS plan. He called you and I too. God did it this way to show us that He has a plan and through Jesus He is inviting us into His glorious plan.
You won’t always understand it.
It won’t always be convenient.
You may not even like it.
But God is going to use it to fulfill His plan and purpose and somehow, some way.
Romans 8:28 (NASB95) And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
God is at work even when you don’t see it. Even when you don’t feel it, He’s working. Even when it is inconvenient and you don’t particularly like it, He’s working.
That’s why He had to come this way.
I love you, Pastor Randy