(Luke 2:1-7)…..And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. 4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into 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 wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
This is a little bit of a continuation of yesterday’s devotional so that we can focus a little more on this passage in the Gospel of Luke. It should not be a surprise to us that Jesus was born where the Bible says that He would be, so when we study the events surrounding His arrival we find out that they are quite amazing.
Mary and Joseph lived in Nazareth, and this city is some 70 miles north of Bethlehem. For the Messiah to be born in the right location, at that time, on that day, a series of events that began from eternity worked together to bring His birth to pass. Can you imagine what an incredible work of God this would take in order to bring this to pass? With all His might and wisdom, where is it that the Sovereign God, the One who orchestrates all things for His glory, planned for the Savior of the world to be born? In a stable, in a manger (a feeding trough).
When Joseph and Mary arrived in Bethlehem they discovered that there was no place for them to stay. So they found refuge in a stall used to house animals. Can you imagine the filth of an animal stall? When Mary delivered Jesus, she placed the baby in the feed trough. He came into this world as a little baby, but He was not born into the lap of luxury, rather He was born into the squalor of abject poverty. He humbled Himself and entered into this world in the “form of a servant” (Philippians 2:5-8).
His humble birth signified the kind of life Jesus would live all the time He was here on this earth. At one point in His ministry, He had no place to call home (Matthew 8:20). When He died others provided the things necessary for His burial (John 19:38-42).
God Who made everything, Who owns everything, Who possesses all authority and all power, Who is mighty in glory and majesty – How glorious is He? (John 1:1) (John 8:58) (John 17:5) (Colossians 1:15-19) (Colossians 2:9) (Hebrews 1:3). With all this Jesus chose to live a life of poverty, laying aside His heavenly abode, taking on human form, enter into our suffering, die in our place, and lift us out of our condemnation (Romans 8:1-4). Why would He do this? To make us rich! What? (2 Corinthians 8:9). Because of our Lord and Him being born into this world, those who believe on Jesus Christ are spiritually rich, rich in grace, rich in knowledge, rich in salvation, rich in glory, rich in peace (1 Peter 1:3-7) (Ephesians 1:3-14) (Ephesians 2:1-7). Now we are joint-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:16-17), think about that, let it sink in, are you worthy of such a great gift? Thank the Lord that He became poor so that you could be rich.
Soooo, Mary took her baby and wrapped Him in “swaddling clothes,” (not a huge thing unless we realize what is happening here), because people of that time sometimes wrapped their infant children in strips of cloth to help strengthen the limbs and to provide protection for the child. Those strips of cloth were the same kind used to wrap dead bodies and prepare them for burial. So, even in His birth there is a picture of His death.
Jesus was also wrapped this way because those swaddling clothes were to serve as a sign to the shepherds seeking Him (Luke 2:12). Once again the providence of God is on display
Another thing to take note of is the manger (feed trough) itself. This is where animals would find their food. Is it just a coincidence that the “Bread of life” (John 6:35) was placed in a feed trough? Jesus did come to satisfy the hungry souls of dying men. It was even appropriate that Jesus was born in Bethlehem Ephrathah since the name Bethlehem means “The House of Bread,” and Ephrathah means “Fruitful.” Have you tasted Heaven’s Bread? Has the Lord Jesus entered your life and satisfied your hungry soul? (Psalm 107:9) (1 John 5:11-12).
Every lamb, ram, goat, bird, etc. that had been sacrificed down through the ages pointed to this special birth. He is why Noah built an Ark, why Abraham built an Altar, why Moses built a Tabernacle, and why Solomon built a Temple. What are you looking for this Christmas? It wasn’t Santa Claus who came to town in Bethlehem It was Jesus! The God who made you, in a manger, who came to die for your sin, and offer you the greatest gift ever given to man (Romans 6:23). What a great gift from God to us. Praise Him!