“And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.” Luke 2:1
One of the most demonstrably clear ways that God reveals to men that He is God, is in the accomplishing of His purposes and will in the most impossible, and improbable circumstances. Such was the case when wicked, and godless Herod was the king of Judah. Ruthless and unpredictable, he would oppose violently any opposition to his reign. Coupled with his reign was the fact that Judea and Jerusalem were under the control of the Romans, their influence and domination scattering throughout the then known world. Their domination by their armies, and the far-reaching authority of their Ceasars was undisputed. They did what they would, when they wanted, and like Herod, would crush any dissention, or opposition to their authority and rule. Then there was the people, a people subjugated to the hypocrisy of religious rulers masquerading as benevolent enablers of worship, but who, in their hearts were no better than Herod, for eventually, they would be responsible for the crucifixion of Christ. However, in this context, in spite of the oppression of the rulers, and the twisted, hypocritical practice of religion, there would come a moment when the unexpected would occur. So original was this occurrence that very few people were aware of it. It passed underneath the perception of the great men of the world, their systems and structures of authority and power, to reveal itself in a miracle, one devised and revealed by God. It would begin with and have its fruition by, the appearance of “the angel of the Lord,” and the revealing of the words of God to those who were believers in God, seeking Him and His kingdom.
The first indication that the time had come in the economy of God to introduce the Messiah into the world, came with the appearing of the angel of the Lord to Zacharias, a priest at that time, whose primary credentials before God were that “…he was righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.” (Luke1:6) This was true also of his wife, Elizabeth. To Zacharias, the angel of the Lord would appear while he was serving his priestly function in the temple. It would be to him that the angel would announce the coming, or the birth, of what would become, “…the voice in the wilderness,” announcing the coming of Christ. At that time there would be none greater than this child, who would become this herald to the world that the Messiah was at the door. In the Spirit and power of Elijah, this unique preacher of righteousness, would declare, in all humility that he had come to prepare the Messiah’s way, and to prepare a people ready to truly receive Him. This he would accomplish.
The second indication of God’s sovereign intervention in history is again, the coming of the angel of the Lord, whose name was Gabriel, to visit a young virgin woman, espoused to a righteous and good man. As with Zacharias in the quiet of the temple, so in the quiet of Mary’s surroundings, alone, the angel would come and reveal Himself, communicating to her God’s favor to her, and giving to her a knowledge of HIs will concerning the miraculous birth of her son to be. He would declare that such an occurrence would be strictly, wholly by the Spirit of God, the power of the Highest overshadowing her, bringing about the birth of a child called Jesus, “the Son of God.” This child, also called Emmanuel, would be the declaration and testimony to the world, that God had come to dwell with men, save them from their sins, and usher them into His kingdom, where there was the apprehension, and experience of Life Eternal. That same Spirit, filling and anointing this Messiah, would be poured out “…upon all flesh,” that all men might know the great salvation that is in Christ Jesus, for all who would truly believe.
Dear Father, Fill us with Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.