Luke 2:1-3 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to his own town to register.
 
THESE words seem fairly simple. Orders are given; it’s time to pay the tax. But when you read these words, do you see the very bad news? More taxes are bad news for such poor Jews as Joseph and Mary.
    But the bad news goes deeper than money. It goes to the very soul of a nation. Rome controlled Israel. Israel’s people were subject to Rome’s intention to use Israel’s wealth to fund its domination and expansion.
    This passage also represents a point in history. Luke wants to give evidence of the time, day and month – October – when Jesus was born. The more deliberate he can be of the circumstances around that time, the more we can trust Jesus truly was born in Bethlehem.
    This also helps to confirm Jesus’ ministry time, his death, his resurrection and his ascension. One fact helps lead to another. True steps lead to the true God.
    The truth is, God turned the bad news into good news. The Father sent his Son into the midst of political oppression at just the right time. It may seem odd our Lord would come when Rome ruled. But it was the Sovereign LORD, who truly ruled. The LORD used Rome’s government as a means to spread the gospel into the world. The Roman Empire would be generally tolerant for a time of Jesus’ followers. Many new churches were founded within its borders. Acts 21-23 tells us Rome protected the apostle Paul when the Jews passionately tried to kill him. It was the Jews, who were the first persecutors of Christ’s church.
    In addition, Rome’s good roads and effective mail system would help transmit the gospel. Paul’s, Peter’s, James’ and others’ teaching letters were delivered to Jesus’ disciples in many towns and villages. Consider, also, that the oppressive nation Rome would later become one of the first nations to proclaim Christianity as an acceptable religion. In these ways, Rome, the “bad news nation” became a “good news nation”. God raises governments and deposes governments for his purposes.
   
Prayer: Lord, use our governments as a means of spreading the good news. Amen

Luke 1:80 and the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the desert until he appeared publicly to Israel.
 
HE lived in the desert? Isn’t John formed to be someone very special, born to point the way to Jesus? Don’t you think God would pamper him and let him grow up with good home cooking, a nice bed and good friends all around? Why the lonely, challenging desert?
    “Why, God?” is often a weak question when it is asked to understand God’s motives and his role in unhappy circumstances of our lives. “Why, God?” seems to be asked with an attitude that says, “I can do better than this.”
    But if you ask, “Why God?” with humility and desire to truly understand God’s answer, it can be a very strong question. If we are prepared to adjust our lives to the “Why?” we will more deeply grow into the way God has designed our life. Receiving and submitting to God’s will deepens our love for our Father in Heaven. Often, as recorded in Job’s life, God will not give us an answer. His inherent will is that we accept our lives as they are under his reign.
    But perhaps we can answer, “Why did John the Baptist live in the desert?” Let’s first consider plants that grow in the desert. Desert plants look different from those in other habitats. They are often spiny with tiny leaves, rarely “leaf green.” Why are they so different?
    It is because God has formed them to grow and multiply in drought and heat. They need to be different to survive and thrive, don’t they?
    In this manner, the desert was the perfect place to strengthen John into God’s purpose. Notice how the verse says, the child grew and became strong in the Spirit. God put John where he could grow and mature to be different than other people. He will only thrive and multiply his mission if he has a sure faith rooted in God.
    God planned that John will look different, and he will be different. The LORD God sanctified him – set him apart – from the world to form him to challenge the norm. John would go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous – to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” (Luke 1:17)  
    This was John’s destiny. In the desert, away from physical and emotional comfort, John experienced God’s redemptive power to faithfully enter into God’s purpose.
    Are you perhaps wondering why you are in a “desert” in your life? Or do you have friends asking you, “Why is my life so difficult?” The Bible often tells us that such times in our lives are God’s time to shape us more closely to him. When there is little of the world to hold onto, we can turn and hold fast to the steadfast Creator of the world.
         
Prayer: Thank you for the desert, Father. May I blossom in you. Amen.
 

Luke 1:76-79 “And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, 77 to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, 78 because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven 79 to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”
 
IN the latter 19th and early 20th centuries, the circus was a celebrated form of entertainment. Before a circus would arrive for their performance in a town, the circus’ public relations people would go into the town and surrounding area with large brightly-colored posters. The promoters would nail them to any flat surface. “The Big Event is coming here to this town next week! Be ready. Be excited!” From the posters and past experiences, people’s hearts grew to expect the circus wonders they would soon enjoy.
    Then the circus entered town with a colorful, noisy parade to say, “We’re here! The shows begin tomorrow.” Huge tents soon changed the town’s landscape in a matter of hours, turning an ordinary day into one extraordinary holiday.
    The Bible is God’s announcement he is far above the ordinary. He has sent many prophets to announce his Son would come to deliver God’s wonders to the world. Is anything more exciting than to know the coming King will give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins? Do we grasp the excitement of the tender mercy of our God? With great anticipation and thankfulness we worship the rising sun – a metaphor for Jesus, who will come to us from heaven. God’s revelation will come with the Savior, who will shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death. We humbly receive his grace to guide our feet into the path of peace.
    For centuries Israel’s faithful believers expected the Messiah. The time had come. God had sent John to lead the parade of his redemptive work to point to the Lord Jesus and say, “He’s here!”
    Jesus will reveal his tender mercies. He will transform the world from ordinary into an extraordinary display of his salvation. Indeed, the gospel message is a celebration of the Big Event.
    Are you excited Jesus has come? Are you one announcing he’s coming again? Everyone needs to know God has come to town. All must know, too, Jesus is coming again. Isn’t God wonderful to advertise his Big Event, so you can experience his glory?
 
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for announcing, “Jesus is coming!” Thank you, Jesus for telling us to anticipate your Second Coming: “They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. (Matthew 24:30) I  pray I am prepared, and I will help others to be prepared! Amen. 

Luke 1:67-75 John’s father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: 68 “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people. 69 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David 70 (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), 71 salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us 72 to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, 73 the oath he swore to our father Abraham: 74 to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear 75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.”
 
REMEMBER the moment that something amazing happened to you. You’ve passed a test you’ve failed several times. You have given birth to a long-awaited child. You have scored the winning points in a championship game. In that moment, you knew a very, very special victory in your life. Nothing can contain your joy.
    That is Zechariah’s joyful praise. For centuries, God had promised a horn of salvation – one who will be powerful to save his people. Zechariah knows that his son will point to the Prophesied One who will come and redeem his people. Zechairah, the priest, understands Israel is on the verge of witnessing the Great Arrival of the Savior so long promised.
    And there is more in this scripture. Zechariah’s words also point to Israel’s final victory: To show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant…to our father Abraham. This is a prophecy of God’s eternal plan to rescue Israel from the hand of Israel’s enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
    Jesus’ incarnation is a sign God’s eternal promise will come true. This will happen when Jesus returns. As many of God’s prophets before him, Zechariah pointed to the soon coming Savior and to the eternal King of Kings, who will reign all our days. God has promised. God is keeping his promise.
    Scripture is very plain to tell us God is, indeed, a Promise Keeper, who has come to redeem you into his eternal kingdom. Be as Zechariah. See God at work in the world. Know the joy of God’s eternal hand on your eternal soul.
    Oh yes, there is joy in Zechariah’s voice. Do you hear it? It is as if he is being born again.
 
Prayer: Excite my heart each day, Lord God, as I remember your promise from Isaiah 43:1 “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” Amen

Luke 1:66 Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, “What then is this child going to be?” For the Lord’s hand was with him.
 
“CAN I give you a hand?” Isn’t it good when someone offers to help you with a task? It means they care about you. They want to lighten you work and help you complete it more easily. A helping hand at the right time is a wonderful blessing. This reflects God’s image. Psalms 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. When someone offers to help you, see it as God’s strength and mercy coming to you.  
    The Lord’s hand was on Zechariah’s and Elizabeth’s son John. People knew John’s life was God’s special miracle and a loving sign.
    In Acts, Luke used the same phrase to note God’s help for his evangelists: Acts 11:21 “The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.” The only way the church could begin was for God’s hand through the Holy Spirit to powerfully change the hearts of those who spoke and heard the gospel message of salvation in Jesus.
    The Lord’s hand is his power to protect, guide, transform and care for his people. We thank God he does not sit by with his hands folded to merely watch you live your life. He ignites your life into a new creation. The Holy Spirit offers the Savior’s hand to you, and says, “Here, take my hand. I’ll pull you up, so you are close beside me. I’ll keep you from falling. I will keep you under my care. I’ll lead you through the trouble you are facing to a good place to be safe with me. Be at ease. Be confident. I’m here loving you. Take my hand.”
    When you pick up your Bible, look for God’s hand. It’s there on every page waiting to help you.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for your warm, loving, powerful hand. In Jesus’ name, I receive your help. Amen.
 

Luke 1:62-65 Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. 63 He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.” 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue was loosed, and he began to speak, praising God. 65 The neighbors were all filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things.
 
IN awe they were talking about these things. The things were the miracles in Zechariah’s and Elizabeth’s lives – a son born to the once-barren coupled, Zechariah’s voice returning, the son named John. These remarkable things were big news. Headline news, breaking news – whatever the term is today to grab our attention – truly defines the news around John’s birth. Every Media outlet available was flooded with these things.  Yes, this family was big news.
    And how would they talk about these wonderful things? Would they say Zechariah and Elizabeth finally got themselves a baby? Would they say, “Did you hear about Zechariah’s and Elizabeth’s good luck? They have a baby boy! They called him Jehochanan. The name means the grace and mercy of Yahweh – what good fortune!”
    No, they would have talked of God. They called him Yahweh. He is the “I am who I am” (Exodus 3:14). He is the infinite, personal God, who is the origin of everything. Nothing happens by chance or luck. These have no power to affect any circumstance. Yes, God sovereignly entered into this family’s barrenness and long-lost hope to say to Judea, “Here I am! I love you, and I have something grand for you. I have made the impossible happen in this family. This is a sign for all of you! More impossibles are about to come”
    From Judea the news of these things has spread throughout the ages and across the globe and to you this very day.
    What now is your response? Have you spoken of these things to anyone? Do you talk of God?
    Yes, go ahead and talk of his wonders in your life. Talk of the life he has given you. Talk of God’s grace to give you his Son to redeem your soul. Talk of God’s love to send you the Holy Spirit to live in you. Talk with words of praise and awe. Tell your church. Tell your friends. Tell your family. Tell the world of God’s good news to come to save you.
 
Prayer: I open my mouth to speak of your great miracles in my life, Lord. Thank you for Jesus, for your Spirit and for your love. Amen.

Luke 1:59-61 On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, 60 but his mother spoke up and said, “No! He is to be called John.” 61 They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who has that name.”
 
WHAT is in a name? What does it matter which name this little boy receives? It matters to God. Through his messenger Gabriel, the Lord told dad Zechariah to name him John. And obviously Zechariah – whom Gabriel had silenced due to his doubt – had written the name for Elizabeth to know.
    The matter of the right name indicates something about God we must know: God’s every detail points us to him.
    From the very beginning, the names of God’s chosen leaders have indicated his specific salvation plan. For example, the name Abram meant high father. God renamed him Abraham to mean father of multitudes. To Zechariah and Elizabeth, to the Jews and to God John means a great deal.
    John in Hebrew is written Jehochanan or Yªhowchanan and means “the grace or mercy of Yahweh.” John is so named because he was created to announce God’s grace and mercy to the Jews. He would announce the God of all grace is about to mercifully step into the world! Grace and Mercy would come in the flesh to save the world from sin.
    Each time John’s parents, relatives and friends would say, “Yªhowchanan”, they would remember God had a very special purpose for his life. John is the great Announcer of God’s mercy. John is the last of a long line of Old Covenant prophets who announced God’s promise as written in this magnificent Scripture: Isaiah 9:5-7 Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.
    Joyfully, the zeal of the Lord God brought John to earth to announce: “I am the voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’” (John 1:23). “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him.” (John 1:32) These announcements revealed Jesus to his first disciples, and they began to follow him.
    Yes, God loves you so much he worked out all the details of your salvation. All Scripture announces God’s salvation for his disciples. Will you hear the announcement and follow Jesus, too?
 
Prayer: Open my mouth Father to announce, “See Jesus is the Savior of the world. Confess him. Repent and follow him.” In Jesus’ love I pray, amen. 

Next Post May 16

​Luke 1:57-58 When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. 58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.
 
JOY is a little word with large meaning. Joy is living in faith that Jesus is Over You. Such emotion is anticipating loved ones coming to share a meal. Joy is hugging them, talking with them, sharing concerns and happiness. Joy is praying with them to trust God’s care in all circumstances. You know Jesus is Over You while you are with them because you love them very, very much.
    And there is another aspect of joy we have toward our loved ones. That joy is expressed with thankfulness toward God. We understand he has given to us such people in our lives. Even though we are a bit sad when they go home, our joy remains because of our mutual love built on a true love for God.
    God is the center of this joy. He is the One who has offered his extraordinary kindness to bring these people into our lives.
    Elizabeth and her friends expressed great joy at John’s birth. They were in awe, and they delighted in God’s unexpected gift. This was God’s specially anointed miracle God formed to fulfill prophecy! True joy comes to our lives when we understand the Great Miracle God has given us in Jesus. Jesus’ promise, “I have come that you may have life and have it to the full.” (John 10:10) is his commitment to completely redeem you from sin’s joy-robbing limitations. He went to the cross to set a pathway into heaven’s eternal wonders. Indeed, our Good Shepherd’s tender mercy to suffer the cross for your sake is the means for true joy! When we understand the depth of Jesus’ humiliation and suffering in our hearts, life’s challenges seem smaller. Irritations diminish; aggravations depart; patience grows; and love prospers. An eternal smile forms on our hearts as we settle our minds into the wonder of God, who adopts us to be his children in Jesus.
    As you consider how God is merciful to you, I pray you know Jesus is Over Your heart each day.
 
Prayer: O what joy I feel, Father, to be your child. I lift up my heart, my hands, my mind to say, “Thank you!” Amen.

I will be gone the next 7 days. God bless you in the interim.
 

Luke 1:56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.
 
THIS signifies a major step for Mary. It doesn’t sound like much, but it is very much.
    At Zechariah’s and Elizabeth’s home Mary is in a very safe place. Elizabeth totally understands Mary’s sudden, miraculous pregnancy. The same thing has happened to Elizabeth! Zechariah, too, knows as Mary the wondrous experience of God’s Messenger speaking directly to them. Elizabeth and Zechariah understand! Mary’s growing pregnancy is not a threat to them. The faithful couple and the faithful virgin are walking the same road with their God. They are certainly finding comfort, strength and assurance in each other.
    But when Mary goes home, who will believer her? Who will support and protect her? The whispers will start and perhaps grow to shouts of judgment and condemnation. Questions will be asked. “Who is the father of your baby? Why have you disgraced your family in such a way?” Of course, she can only answer with the “impossible” truth. Why not just stay with Elizabeth?
    This seems to be a good plan, but it wouldn’t be good. That’s not what God wants her to do. Mary must go home to marry Joseph.  Here is one of the first steps of faith for the virgin mother of our Lord. She can stay with what she knows in general comfort. Or she can step forward into God’s plan – a plan that includes great challenges.
    How will she have the strength to go down that road of uncertainty to return to Nazareth? How will she trust God as she steps into her home and greets her family and friends? The LORD has commanded her to a mission, but he has not given Mary a clear picture of everything she would encounter and endure.
    In truth, Mary needs that humility she mentioned earlier to believe God is sovereign over her life. You need it, too. God loves you. And he wants you to grow deeper in love with him. To do so, you must let go of your “comfort” to journey down “uncomfortable” pathways Be in step with the Good Shepherd leading the way along the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake (Psalm 23:3b) – for his glory and honor.
    You may like where you are, safe and comfortable. But Jesus didn’t tell us to, “Get comfortable and follow me.” The Bible is very clear that God calls his followers to let go of themselves and to hold on to him.
    That’s where Mary is going. She’s walking down the pathway with God because he has called her. Yes, this moment when Mary returned home, indeed, is very much a crisis of faith. Will God grant his favor on her as he has promised?  
 
Prayer: Grant me peace and faith, Lord, to walk steadfastly with you,. 

Luke 1:51-55 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful 55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers.
 
GOD has a big arm, doesn’t he? Many deeds he has performed with his arm. Indeed, review the Old Testament, and you will discover he created the world, and he delivered Israel into freedom with his outstretched arm. God’s arm also defines Jesus: Isaiah 53:1 Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?   
    This outstretched arm views God as a loving parent who reaches out to protect a child from a car or motorbike coming down the street, from danger by a fire or from the pain of someone’s hurtful words. God’s outstretched arm protected his people and delivered them into the Promised Land of safety and abundance.
    If you are feeling weak or not very important, please know that God’s outstretched arm is a saving, redeeming arm. He is ready to embrace you, protect you and surround you with his goodness. God’s mighty power is prepared to care for you when you humbly go to him to seek his strength. For example, “Forgive my pride, LORD God. I am weak in my ways, and I know you are my strength. Embrace me with your outstretched arm, Father. Fill me with your strength that I may rest in you and rejoice in your tender mercies.”
    As we leave Mary’s praise to the Father, be encouraged to spend time to speak or write your own praise to God. Speak to him of your needs. Proclaim to him your love for him. Celebrate the ways he has cared for you in your life. Praise him for the ways he will stretch his arm around you now and forever.
   
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I lift my arms to receive yours around me. Hold me close. Thank you for ever keeping me with you. Amen.