Wonder - Day 22
The wonder of heaven & earth colliding
Luke 2:1-5
1 At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2 (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. 4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 5 He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child.
Finally, we’re just days away from the Christmas, and during the next few days of our study, we will see the wonder of heaven and earth colliding like never before.
But here on day one, we see something interesting. With Luke introducing us to the historical figures and leaders of the time, emperor Augustus, and governor Quirinius, we will see and be reminded that no matter who holds any position of earthly power, God can still use them to accomplish His plans. That may be a good reminder for us in the world we live in. No matter who is “in control,” or who runs the government, God is still bigger and can use anyone, even a donkey, to further His plan for His people (see Numbers 22: 21-41)
So God used these rulers to assure that the prophecy of the Messiah being born in Bethlehem would come to fruition.
There’s a great scene in the movie entitled, “A Nativity Story,” where a very pregnant Mary is being led on a donkey by Joseph (I can’t imagine that being comfortable in the slightest). As night fell and they set-up camp, they find themselves sitting around a fire and talking about their coming future.
Mary asks Joseph a question. She says, “Are you scared?” Joseph smiles and says, “Yes, absolutely.” She admits that she is too, but asks what scares him most. He says, “How will I be able to teach the son of God anything?”
Now, whether or not Mary and Joseph were fully aware of who this baby really was, it’s must have still been daunting to think about caring for such an important passenger on this earth. After all, He may be the Messiah, but they would be the ones to feed him, burp him, change his diapers, and raise him in the way he should go. Those are always frightening things to think about when you’re first becoming parents, but add to that the weight of this baby being the Messiah, called the Son of God, and wow! I can’t imagine all the thoughts that raced through their heads.
But I am thankful they were willing to say yes to the journey. Just as I am thankful for every person that signs on to serve the missive of the kingdom of God. Every one of you who says yes to serving is yet another person that helps bring Jesus into this world; whether you’re teaching the lesson of the day in the children’s classroom, fixing a latte for a new visitor to enjoy, singing your lungs out as you lead us in worship, or being that warm smile at the door that lets an anxious newcomer know that everything is going to be ok. Every time you say yes to Jesus, you help bring more of Him into the world and the rest of us sit in awe and wonder, as we get to witness, through you, heaven and earth collide.
QUESTIONS
Luke 2:1-5
1 At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2 (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. 4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 5 He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child.
Finally, we’re just days away from the Christmas, and during the next few days of our study, we will see the wonder of heaven and earth colliding like never before.
But here on day one, we see something interesting. With Luke introducing us to the historical figures and leaders of the time, emperor Augustus, and governor Quirinius, we will see and be reminded that no matter who holds any position of earthly power, God can still use them to accomplish His plans. That may be a good reminder for us in the world we live in. No matter who is “in control,” or who runs the government, God is still bigger and can use anyone, even a donkey, to further His plan for His people (see Numbers 22: 21-41)
So God used these rulers to assure that the prophecy of the Messiah being born in Bethlehem would come to fruition.
There’s a great scene in the movie entitled, “A Nativity Story,” where a very pregnant Mary is being led on a donkey by Joseph (I can’t imagine that being comfortable in the slightest). As night fell and they set-up camp, they find themselves sitting around a fire and talking about their coming future.
Mary asks Joseph a question. She says, “Are you scared?” Joseph smiles and says, “Yes, absolutely.” She admits that she is too, but asks what scares him most. He says, “How will I be able to teach the son of God anything?”
Now, whether or not Mary and Joseph were fully aware of who this baby really was, it’s must have still been daunting to think about caring for such an important passenger on this earth. After all, He may be the Messiah, but they would be the ones to feed him, burp him, change his diapers, and raise him in the way he should go. Those are always frightening things to think about when you’re first becoming parents, but add to that the weight of this baby being the Messiah, called the Son of God, and wow! I can’t imagine all the thoughts that raced through their heads.
But I am thankful they were willing to say yes to the journey. Just as I am thankful for every person that signs on to serve the missive of the kingdom of God. Every one of you who says yes to serving is yet another person that helps bring Jesus into this world; whether you’re teaching the lesson of the day in the children’s classroom, fixing a latte for a new visitor to enjoy, singing your lungs out as you lead us in worship, or being that warm smile at the door that lets an anxious newcomer know that everything is going to be ok. Every time you say yes to Jesus, you help bring more of Him into the world and the rest of us sit in awe and wonder, as we get to witness, through you, heaven and earth collide.
QUESTIONS
- Do you believe that God can use anyone to accomplish HIs will? Why or why not?
- Have you ever felt God calling you to do something that caused you to feel scared or overwhelmed? What ending up happening?
- What is one thing you need to say yes to for Jesus today, to help bring more of Jesus into this world?
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