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Luke 2:1-7
To have a census was a way for the governing authority (Rome) to show its dominance over the conquered country and verify the population for tax purposes. To be registered, one was required to return to the town of their ancestors, in this case, “to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem” (Luke 2:4, NKJV).
The birth of Jesus was in a barn or shelter made for livestock which is verified by the placing of the baby Jesus in a “manger” (Luke 2:7), which is defined by Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary and Thesaurus as, “a trough or open box for livestock feed or fodder.”
This is the birth of the promised Messiah who was sent to save the world from sin (John 3:16-17).
This is a first mark of showing the humility of Jesus; He was not born in a grand palace where Joseph and Mary could say, “Look at us, and our baby in this grand palace, of how great we are.” People used the Old Testament Law to say, “look at me, I keep more of the Law than you, so I must be better than you.” The problem is that the Law was given to show that all are sinful and not capable of keeping all the requirements of the Law, but man resorted to self-pride and arrogance in using the Law as a leveraging tool to try to be better than others by trying to find more fault in others than oneself. This tactic of self-pride and arrogance is still used by all of us today in the lack of humility in a vain attempt to justify ourselves. The Law was given to show us that we cannot justify ourselves and that we are in need of a Savior. That Savior (Jesus) has been sent in humility to show us that salvation is not about outward appearance, which can be fake, but about having a clean heart and soul, which can only be cleansed by Jesus. There is a requirement of humility that must be present in our lives to realize this. As Jesus came to us in humility, we must also come to Him in humility with a sincere heart in seeking forgiveness of our sins.
Dear Lord,
Thank You for sending our Savior Jesus in a humble fashion that we can see this example of how we need to present ourselves to You in humble submission in seeking forgiveness of our sins. Jesus exemplified humility throughout His physical life and ministry as an example to us that we should do the same. Jesus said in John 13:34-35, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” This attitude is only possible if we show humility to one another, and in doing that we need Your help Lord. Please open our eyes, hearts, minds, and souls to the love You have given us in Your only begotten Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. In Jesus name I pray, amen.