VERSE:
Luke 2:1-5
1 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 their own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.
LESSON:
Caesars and Governors and Census and Taxes!
This verse tells us that Mary and Joseph were good citizens and followed the orders of Cesar Augustus to return to the land of their parent's birth and to be registered (for tax purposes). They did this at a time that would have been risky for Mary to make such a long trip...but in compliance to the wishes of their Government, they did. What is interesting about this verse is the certainty of those who were claimed to be in power (Caesar Augustus and Quirinius) at the time of Jesus' birth. Some people today question if this is just a story, or if Jesus was indeed born when and where and under the circumstances that the writers claimed. If it was just a story, why would the writer of put into the story verifiable facts about rulers that others (including us) could research? I don't think the writer had the least concern about that...as they knew they were writing what was true. The historical accounts of Jesus' birth are true and can be verified historically and Biblically.
