In a Manger

Introduction

We struggle with the events of life and God uses them to carry out his purposes. We fret over how things are going to work out and God brings things together for times and places that will reveal his will. I am amazed time and again to be able to watch God’s work. The challenge is to believe that God is working when we are not aware of him working and when we grow weary. Out of our discomfort we plead for God to do something quickly and he is working but not at our preferred pace. Most of us have stories to tell. As Christians the question is “what are we learning about God, ourselves, and our relationship with the Creator as the events of life unfold?”

God intervened in the life of Zechariah and Elizabeth to bring a child into this world. If John had been born at a time when most couples are able to conceive, do you think anyone would have thought the baby was special? Do you think Zechariah and Elizabeth would have thought John was special? Surely they grew frustrated with God’s lack of action as they pleaded for a child. Surely they did not understand what was happening. But when the Lord acted on their behalf, they could only praise the God who worked in their lives at just the right time.

It is challenging to shift our thinking to see things from a more spiritually mature point of view. God is working and every event God can use to bring about his will and purpose. Like Job we cry out in anguish pleading for God to explain himself. And our God answers “trust me. I am at work.” We challenge God with thoughts like “God, if you are listening then do this for me.” God can handle such challenges. Is your faith growing so that even in your frustration and discouragement you can say “I trust my God.” Challenging indeed. Today we are going to see once again God working to bring about his will and purpose. As we study together may our faith increase.

Looking Below the Surface

Luke chapter 1 has already demonstrated the power of God to bring conception to two women. One was past the days of childbearing. The other had never been with a man. And yet both conceive. Luke intends for us to be amazed at God’s power through the miraculous. But in chapter 2 Luke reveals God’s power through a very natural and political event. Caesar Augustus declares that a census is to be taken. Everyone was required to register in the place of their family line. So Joseph and Mary return to Bethlehem to do what the Emperor demanded. While there Jesus is born. Such fulfills the prophecy of Micah 5:2: “But you, Bethlehem, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times (or days of eternity).”

What the emperor used to collect money, God used to fulfill prophecy and to bring his son into this world. Augustus thought only politically. God was thinking about the salvation of the world. God is always at work. Luke reminds us in verse 5 that Mary is with Joseph. Though married they have not consummated their relationship. How do we know this? First, it would have violated social and religious laws for a couple to travel together who were not married. Second, Luke uses the same word in chapter one to describe that Mary has not been with a man.

Our culture has taken 2:7 and used it at this time of the year to inspire unbelievers to focus on the child in a manger. Couple of things to note. First, the word Luke uses for “inn” does not suggest a commercial inn. Such existed and the word for that is used in Luke 10:34. The word Luke uses can be translated as “a lodging place.” Luke uses the same word in 9:12 at the feeding of the 5000 when the disciples encourage Jesus to send the people away to find lodging and again the word is used in 19:7 when Jesus enters Zacchaeus’ house and the people say that Jesus has become a “guest” of Zacchaeus. The idea then is that the “inn” is really a place of lodging or a guest room. There was no room for them as a guest or at the place of lodging.

Second, where are they? We often think Joseph and Mary are in a stable but the text mentions nothing about a stable. The text mentions a manger and so we think of a manger as a feeding trough for animals and so animals are in the barn or stable. But this fails to be aware of first century culture. There were places for travelers that were basic shelter. The second story consisted of places to sleep. The bottom floor was for animals to stay. This is the best picture. No evil innkeeper who turned Mary away. A house that was already filled in the upstairs and so they stayed downstairs. No mention of animals although some may have been there. But Luke tells us that because there was no room in the lodging area or guest room, then they settled into the area for the animals and Jesus is born.

God then sends an angel to tell a group of shepherds the good news. And a group of angels announce the praises of God. The shepherds find Jesus and then begin telling others what they saw. From humble beginnings God makes an entrance into this world. The announcement is made through those who had little power and prestige.

God’s Purpose

One other thing to note. Caesar Augustus became emperor in 27 B.C. He was the adopted son of Julius Caesar who was assassinated in 44 B.C. It took 14 years for Caesar Augustus to claim full power to the throne at Rome. Caesar Augustus ruled from 27 B.C. to 14 A.D. Augustus’ name was originally Octavian. Soon after being named Caesar, he declared his father a god and took the name “Augustus” which means “The revered one” and he was addressed by Rome as “the son of god.” Poets declared that Augustus was the “Savior and Lord” of his people. Rome counted its existence as an empire from the time of Augustus.

Notice what the angel says to the shepherds. His Son is both Savior and Lord. He is the Christ. The son of god declares a census and God uses this political move to bring about the birth of his Son. Augustus is called “lord” during his reign and God announces that his Son is “Lord.” The poets write that Augustus is “savior” and God announces that his son is the true “Savior.”

Augustus rules the world and God rules Augustus. Augustus demands a census to collect taxes and to exert his power and God uses a political move to bring about his will. Augustus has no idea that God is using him to carry out his will. Augustus is blind to the spiritual. We are not. By faith the politics, the uncertainties, the daily events are being used by God to carry out his will.

But notice one more thing. It is Mary’s response to all the events. Having spoken to God’s messenger, Gabriel; having carried God’s child for nine months; having shepherds come to see this Savior by the power of God; verse 19 tells us that Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

This is the reaction of the person of faith. We treasure the events. Why? Because God is at work. He is going to do something with the events. And we ponder them. We mull things over. I have a cousin who says “I have to study that for awhile.”

Indeed, this is what Mary does. She ponders, mulls, studies and thinks. This is what people of faith do. The events are treasured and studied. We wait with anticipation for God to act. We do not criticize God nor chastize him. We wait with anticipated amazement—God is at work. He will do something with those events and then we will look back on them and praise him for what he did.

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