It Came To, Pass – Part #2

TITLE:  It Came To, Pass – Part #2
DATE: December 30, 2019
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Christ is risen. He is risen, indeed.

TEXT: Luke 2 21 – ESV -   - 2 And it came to pass in those days that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

When Caesar Augustus died, about 18 years after he called for his census, Jesus would have been a 19-year-old apprentice carpenter in Nazareth.

If Augustus had lived longer he would have been surprised to learn that it came to pass that this subject, born in Bethlehem, was crucified by permission of a Roman governor.

Well with the number of Roman crucifixions, that might have surprised him.

• But  Augustus would have been blown out of the water to learn the crucified Christ had come back from the grave. That was the kind of thing which simply didn’t happen.
• Augustus would have been surprised to learn that it came to pass that the roads he constructed to carry his legions of war across the empire would be used to carry God's message of forgiveness and salvation.
• Augustus would have been surprised to learn that it came to pass that the historical record would not be dated from the founding of the city of Rome, but from the birth of Jesus.
• Augustus would have been surprised to learn that future generations would wish each other a "blessed Christmas" rather than "lo Saturnalia", that pagan festival he had tried to preserve.
•  Augustus would have been surprised to find out that God, not he, was in control.

And it came to pass in those days. If this devotion is to mean anything at all, you must not see what God has done as  a bunch of trivia and disconnectedly facts. This devotion remembers that an emperor in Rome and a child in a manger were, and are,  tied together by the will and purpose of God.

As that Child breathed His first breath in Bethlehem, God's promise of salvation, so long awaited had come true. Over 300 other Old Testament prophecies, recorded by many different men over the centuries would be fulfilled.

It was not by accident. God was in control. God remains in control.

That is the message you need to know on this Christmas seasons. God is in control.

 In a world where religion is no longer fashionable, when countless books are being published to help people get control of their own lives, when we are not sure what the market will do, or interest rates, we need to remember God is in control.
We live in a world of superpowers as it was in Augustus' day, but God is in control. We have had difficulties, tragedies this year, but we have not had to travel 80 miles on foot in an advanced state of pregnancy as Mary did. But God watched over her.

He was in control for Mary, even as He is in control for you.

God is in control. We have had our hurts, but none so great as giving birth to a child in the foul and stench of a stable. But Mary did. And God was in control, even as He is this day.

God is in control.

THE PRAYER: Lord, I give thanks that IN EVERY AGE You have been in control. Grant that I may continue to believe it, even when I may not see it. In Your Name I pray.  Amen.

The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann. He along with three of his brothers perform on the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html