God's Master Plan

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As we enter the month of December, we are motivated to ponder on the Christmas story. In Luke 2 we see a decree for census being made from Caesar Augustus, a Roman Emperor. This forces Joseph and Mary to travel a difficult journey from Northern Israel town of Nazareth to the Southern Israel town of Bethlehem. The Christmas story unfolds with the birth of Jesus followed by angels pronouncing the birth of Jesus and shepherds rejoicing at the good news. In Luke 2:22 we see Jesus being presented at the temple to the Lord, where Simeon and Anna come to worship Jesus.

This appears to be a nice story. However, if we look at its details, we will be amazed at how a Master Plan is being unveiled.

The distance from Nazareth to Jerusalem, as the crow flies, is about 63 miles. Now having walked through the rugged terrain of Israel, I can fully comprehend that the walking distance is much more than 63 miles. This journey for Joseph and Mary must have a taken at least 4-5 days, especially with Mary being in her late stages of her pregnancy. Per the census decree, we see Mary getting closer to Jerusalem during her delivery period.

In Leviticus 12:1-4 and Exodus 13:12–15 we see that a Jewish family is required to bring the baby boy to the Jerusalem temple to redeem the first born and to offer a sacrifice. This is typically done after the period of purification of the woman, from the delivery, which is after 40 days of giving birth. Coming so close to Jerusalem, actually acts as a blessing for Mary. I believe, God already knew how fragile Mary would be after the delivery of Jesus, especially without all the medical systems and the travel arrangement like today. It would have been very challenging for Mary to come from Nazareth after her days of purification to offer sacrifice. 

It is interesting to note that Micah had prophesied that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:1-2) and not in Nazareth, which is where Joseph and Mary were living. Also both Simeon and Anna had separate promises from God that they will not die until they see the Messiah.

Can we imagine how an edict by Caesar Augustus, a Roman Emperor, would be the trigger for the fulfillment of God’s Master Plan? It is interesting to read in Proverbs 21:1 “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will.” I believe God must have moved in Caesar’s heart to make that edict. Then like a domino effect, the proclamation of the census begins the fulfillment of prophesy by Micah of Jesus (the Messiah) being born in Bethlehem.

We also see God taking care of His servant Mary who said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”God ensures that Mary does not have to walk too much through the rugged terrain from Nazareth to Jerusalem for the sacrifice (had she given birth in Nazareth), instead she was very close to Jerusalem. With this edict we also see God fulfilling the promise given to Simeon and Anna in a timely fashion, as they were very old in age. It is like God rolled the dice to answer multiple prayer needs and all in order.

How many times we wonder why God is not working for our prayers or desires. We become so self-centered that we fail to see God’s perspective.

If we were in the place of Mary, when the edict came we could have asked, God you know I am pregnant, then why are you moving us to Bethlehem? Can I not have the baby in Nazareth?  I have friends and family here, who can help me during delivery. I have no one in or near Bethlehem. Common God, please be considerate.

Or perhaps if we were in Simeon or Anna’s shoes, after waiting for so many years and having gray hairs, we may have given up the promise to be fulfilled. We may have asked, how much longer Lord?

Many times we fail to realize that God can move kings and presidents (even if they are not Christian believers) to take care our needs and His promises. His will and purpose will always prevail according to His time and place. When that happens, we will be amazed and rejoice like Simeon, Anna, and the shepherds. The sovereignty of God will become evident as He answers our prayers, others prayers and fulfills His purposes for the community as a whole, not just for us, with single stroke of amazement.

As we enter this Christmas season, can I challenge you to see God’s working with God’s perspective, through His Holy Spirit? As you begin to do that, you will begin to appreciate why you have the answers (or not) to your prayers and needs. He is not only working in your life for your needs, but he is also working simultaneously through others and for others, as He fulfills His Master plan for all of us. This only God can do and none other. Only then can we be amazed and give God the glory.

So this Christmas season, let us be amazed and give Him the glory for now and evermore.

Merry Christmas 

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