Too often, we rush and we fail to slow down and consider the common sense of a Bible passage - in context. Like a learner in a reading class, let's break down a passage to see if we can comprehend it better. | Luke 2 (NASB): 1 Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. |
- For what is a census used?
- How did people register for the census?
- Why did Joseph have to uproot his new family?
- What does betrothed mean?
- If Jesus is the firstborn son, does that mean that Mary will give birth to his siblings, as well?
- Why does Mary put her Son in a manger?
- What is a manger?
Let's Think:
It may have seemed like John was the main character of chapter one, but he was said to have been the forerunner of Jesus, the true main character of the entire Bible. For now, Joseph and Mary are central to the plot. In spite of Mary's pregnancy being in its final days, they are required to take a long walk to Bethlehem, the city of David. Joseph being a descendent of King David is an important point to study, as it means that he sits in a line of prophesy. Bethlehem also means "house of bread", interesting since Jesus is later going to claim to be the Bread of Life.
Mary has to go with Joseph because the couple is betrothed. In our day, that means they are engaged to be married, but with the culture of the time, betrothed also means newly-wed. Luke is a little ambiguous here when he writes that Mary places her Son in a manger. There is little discussion in these verses about the couple's situation which places them, at an inn that does not have room for them, resulting in their overnighting in a nearby stable. The fact of their desperate situation is stated very matter-of-factly. Luke's mention of a manger - or animal feed trough - implies that it is the best alternative bedding for Mary's Child, but we might make note of her care for the Baby, wrapping Him in cloths before laying Him in the hay.