The Ultimate ADVENTure – Journey to Bethlehem
Luke 2:1-7
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy
Faith Fellowship – December 19-20, 2020
The ADVENTure began with
• Mary learned from the angel Gabriel that she would be pregnant and bear a son and call His name Jesus.
• Joseph was commanded to take this child as his own.
Luke 2:1-7 (ESV)
[1] 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. [6] And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. [7] And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
How do you get your name in the Bible?
• Do something really good—courageous, obedient, faithful.
• Do something really bad—rebellious, heinous, spiteful.
• Be an historical marker—”In the days of king… Darius, Xerxes, Uzziah…”
• Be used by God in spite of yourself for his magnificent plan—Pharaoh…
Doctor Luke name drops three major historical figures.
• These mark the time and movement of the Christmas story.
1 - Caesar
• Adopted son of Julius Caesar, originally named Octavianus.
• He took Augustus as a title because this implied deity.
• First Roman Emperor reigning from 27BC to 14AD.
• Founder of the Roman Principate and restored the outward façade of a free Republic.
• Initiated the era of Pax Romana, Roman roads, tax reform, and the Praetorian Guard.
• Used a number of titles during his reign including– “Commander Caesar, Son of the Divine.”
• Ordered the census of the entire Roman world for the purpose of taxation.
2 -
• A Roman aristocrat and ambitious political climber.
• Led brutal campaigns on behalf of Rome and was known for starving out his adversaries.
• Was governor of Syria and the Judean region from 6-7AD after the banishment of Herod Archelaus. This governorship is referenced in manuscripts as “a second time.”
• A well-known census took place in 6AD under Quirinius, but another must have preceded it as he rose to power.
• As a political climber, he had been responsible for registration and taxation during several periods.
3 -
• Roman client king of Judea, referred to as the Herodian kingdom.
• He referred to himself as “King of the Jews,” though he was not Jewish.
• Reigned from 37BC to 4BC.
John the Baptizer began ministry during the reign of Tiberius Caesar.
• Luke 3:1-2 says that John’s ministry was while Pontius Pilate was governor. This is about 27-29AD.
• We know that Jesus was about 30 years old when He began public ministry (Luke 3:23).
• Jesus was likely born between 6-4BC.
The exact date is not revealed in scripture.
• December 25 was later chosen for the celebration.
• Perhaps proximity to the Feast of Dedication or Hanukkah.
• The date may have been chosen to replace the pagan celebration of the Winter solstice.
• The symbol of lengthening days was identified with the Light of Christ coming into the world.
We have some other clues about when…
• Sheep were out in the fields from spring to early October.
• The details regarding Zechariah’s priestly service in the Temple and Elizabeth’s pregnancy give us clues.
• The most likely date would be in the month of Tishri or September.
• If so, the birth of Jesus would have coincided with the Feast of Tabernacles.
Feast of
• Is a reminder of the time of wandering in the Wilderness.
• People build Tabernacles to remind them of God’s provision during that time.
• It is also a reminder that we are sojourners without a permanent residence on this earth.
• The coming of Jesus is perfectly set amid these thoughts.
The story is set among the most powerful men in the world.
• Augustus regarded himself as divine.
• Quirinius was a brutal political climber and bureaucrat.
• Herod was a tax and build despot.
They thought themselves to be
• All were used by God to bring about the fulfillment of the prophesied plan of God.
A census was decreed by Augustus and carried out by Quirinius.
• [2] This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.
• The word “first” refers to an earlier registration by Quirinius, perhaps during an earlier governorship.
This is what prompted the Journey to Bethlehem.
• [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.
Both Joseph and Mary were of the house of
• Bethlehem was the ancestral home of each.
• Joseph could have gone alone because the census only counted the men.
• He could pay the tax.
• Mary could have stayed in the safety of Nazareth.
Why did they
• To many, this will seem obvious—we only have each other.
• They also would have known the scripture—
• Micah 5:2 - But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.
• They both had been told of the significance of this miraculous pregnancy.
We have one sentence to describe a 90-100-mile journey on foot.
• They “went up” to Jerusalem.
• Jerusalem is always “up” because it is at 2500 feet above sea level.
• Jerusalem is always up because it is Zion, the city of God.
• You make Aliyah to Jerusalem singing “Songs of Ascent.”
• Nazareth is about 1100 ft in elevation.
MAP
• The journey would have taken them over to the Jordan River valley through Jericho.
• Travelers often paid a guide or escort to travel with a group for safety.
• The last 20 miles were uphill from Jericho to Jerusalem—1000 feet below sea level to 2500 feet above sea level.
• Then 5 more miles to get to Bethlehem.
• Even traveling 10 miles a day, this was a ten-day journey.
• During the last weeks of pregnancy, it is a wonder that Jesus was not born somewhere along the way.
There was no place for them in the inn. [7]
• The Greek word is kat-al-oo-mah – means a lodging place, inn, or guest chamber.
• Could have been a caravansary, an enclosed rest-stop giving safety for travelers.
• While safe, these were not private at all.
• This was a step up from the Good Samaritan Inn, which was a pretty dangerous place.
Could have been a guest area of a home.
• The word kat-al-oo-mah is used in Luke 22:12 to describe the Upper Room.
• Both Mary and Joseph likely had relatives in Bethlehem.
• They may have tried to stay with relatives, but there was not room with so many in town for the census.
Whatever the case, they ended up in a
• A cave at the lowest level of the Inn or the home.
• With the birth of Jesus imminent, privacy was needed.
• Not the sort of stable we picture in the west.
• In winter, animals were kept in a cave stable adjacent to the Caravan Inn.
• Or at the lowest level of a home.
• In the early fall, animals would not be in the stable cave.
She gave birth to her firstborn and laid Him in a
• All mangers in this day were carved of stone.
• Never before as the bed for a king.
• Jesus was born to be King of the Jews.
• The King of kings, and Messiah of God, was born in the most humble of circumstances.
Wrapped in
• Swaddling was common to make a baby feel secure.
• But never among peasants.
• Luke 2:12 – “And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”
Swaddling was practiced for centuries…
• Swaddling calms and soothes babies and helps them sleep longer.
• Studies have found that swaddled infants are quieter, sleep more, and have lower and more stable heart rates.
• The actual method of swaddling was taught by a midwife or family member.
• Swaddling clothes were often handed down mother to daughter as a Christening gown might be today.
• Mary’s mother may have passed these to her as they were leaving Nazareth.
• The contrast of a feed trough and the security of swaddling clothes would be a sign to the first visitors—shepherds were coming from the fields.
It may tell us something else. Someone was there to help.
• I cannot imagine this process without the calming help of the nurses and the doctor.
The
• God used two of the most powerful men in the world to orchestrate the fulfillment of prophetic words given by the Lord centuries before these events.
• God will use a third to move the holy family to Egypt and fulfill another prophetic scripture.
• Hosea 11:1 - When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.
What do we get from all this?
• When the world around us feels out of control, God is still very much in control.
• God has a destination and a destiny.
• God has a provision for us.