The Humble Arrival | Sunday, March 9, 2025

And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:1–7)

The King of Kings enters the world in obscurity—and in His humble arrival we discover that God reigns over every earthly power and comes for the lowest of the low.

A Familiar Passage in a Humble Setting

If ever there was a familiar passage, this is it—Luke 2 is one of the most well-known sections of Scripture, known even by many who don't go to church. This year at Cross Connection Church we are working through the Gospel of Luke in a series called Meet Jesus, and this is really our first introduction to Him. The birth announcement of Christ is a mere 135 words, yet it introduces us to Him in the most humble setting imaginable.

When we piece together Luke and Matthew, the King of Kings appears to be born in an animal stall, laid in a manger—basically an animal trough. What a humble way to come into this world, especially in contrast to how we think of birth in our culture today. Three of my four children were born at the old Palomar Hospital, and even that rustic, aging hospital is nothing compared to this.

Years ago some missionary friends in Africa told me how the women they ministered to watched an American romantic comedy with a dramatic, screaming hospital birth scene. The African ladies started chuckling, because in their culture you're only considered a strong woman if you give birth without crying out—often under a tree, with no anesthesia and no medical professionals. I'm not putting that forward as how things ought to be, but it's a stark contrast to what we experience, and it underscores just how humble the circumstances of Christ's birth really were.

Nothing in the Text Is Irrelevant

Even in this small, familiar passage, there are important details between the lines. That brings something to the forefront we need to remember when we read Scripture: nothing in the text is irrelevant. Paul writes in 2 Timothy 3 that all Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is useful—for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, that the man or woman of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

We sometimes skim past sections—even genealogies with hard-to-pronounce names—thinking they're benign. But everything in Scripture has value. So even these opening words, easily read through because of familiarity, are worth our careful attention.

Caesar Augustus and the Rise of the Empire

The opening words—"a decree went out from Caesar Augustus"—situate us in a fascinating moment in human history. Augustus marks the monumental transition when the Roman Senate gave way to the Roman Empire. His given name was Octavian, and he came to power after the assassination of his great-uncle, Julius Caesar, in 44 BC.

Julius Caesar had been elected dictator, then famously crossed the Rubicon with his armies in 49 BC—against Roman law—triggering the events that toppled the Senate and gave rise to the Empire. Five years later he was assassinated. Having no child, he named his great-nephew Octavian as his sole heir. Octavian took the name Gaius Julius Caesar, and over the next couple of decades—through figures like Mark Antony and Cicero—he removed every rival to his power.

In January of 27 BC the Senate gave him the title Augustus, meaning "the illustrious one," granting him a kind of divine status. He even titled himself divus—son of God. So the birth of Christ comes about 20 years after this "August one" called himself the Son of God, right in the middle of his roughly 40-year reign.

The people of Israel lived under Roman occupation, kept under a heavy thumb. Any step out of line was crushed by Roman legions. So when Rome commanded a census, everyone uprooted and traveled to their city of origin. Mary and Joseph had no choice but to obey, and the story of the Savior's birth falls right into these circumstances.

God's Plan Annexes Earthly Authority

Here is the first lesson, and one we would do well to remember in our own times: God's plan annexes earthly authority. Though there may be earthly powers, God is the power over those powers and can work through them. Augustus called himself the illustrious one, God on earth—yet God in heaven still sat on the throne, able to commandeer earthly powers to further His agenda.

Right under Rome's nose comes One who would rise and undo Rome's power—though it would take four centuries. This child, born in complete obscurity and laid in a manger, is the One who ultimately undoes the greatest power of that age. Man may aspire to greatness, but God at any time can annex man's authority at will.

King David acknowledged this in Psalm 2:

Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, "Let us break their bonds in pieces and cast away their cords from us." He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord shall hold them in derision. (Psalm 2:1–4)

You read the news—nations rising, alliances forming, the G7, the BRICS, the UN, European leaders gathering—and you can be set on edge, wondering how God's rule undoes any of it. And then David observes: He who sits in the heavens shall laugh. Psalm 75 adds that exaltation comes neither from the east nor the west nor the south, but God is the Judge; He puts down one and raises up another.

Assyria: A Tool in God's Hand

A great example comes from the 8th century BC. If you read Isaiah, this becomes clear. The kings of Assyria—Sargon, Sennacherib, Tiglath-Pileser—were renowned and feared. They were the first major global empire, conquering kingdoms, destroying ancient cities like Hamath and Arpad, and relocating whole populations to erase their languages and cultures—what I call the Assyrian relocation program.

From the lens of human history you'd think these men were brilliant military minds. But read Isaiah 10, and God says you are a tool in My hand—I will use you, Assyria, for My purpose, and when I'm done with you, you will be gone. And that is exactly what happened. God used Assyria to bring judgment on His own people, and when that was done, their power switched off like a light. God is able to commandeer human power for His ends.

This does not mean God does everything and we do nothing—He has chosen to include us as partners in His work. But in spite of man's seemingly awesome abilities, God still rules.

Resting in God's Reign Today

This is a good thing to remember now. For about 80 years the United States has been the dominant world power, and we may be seeing that change, with powers rising in Asia and elsewhere. And every four or eight years our own nation enters a tumultuous transition—power shifts, parties change, and the rhetoric of fear and anxiety flies: "We're all going to die."

In my years as a pastor I've watched several of these transitions, and people come to me distraught. I tell them I'm not terribly concerned—because God reigns in heaven. Whatever power sits in Washington, Brussels, Beijing, or the UN, God's work is not thwarted. You're probably having conversations with fearful people at the mailbox or the coffee shop. That's a great opportunity to tell them about the true power at work in the world: God reigns, and He can annex and commandeer the powers of man.

No doubt Augustus thought himself in total control. Yet God works His work, in His way, and—here's the hard one—in His timing, which rarely lines up with mine. He always seems to move slower than I'd like. But He uses human authority to accomplish His ends.

God Moves Mary to Bethlehem

What do we see here? Joseph leaves Nazareth—a no-nothing village near the Sea of Galilee, never even mentioned in the Old Testament—where he worked as a carpenter, and travels at least three days down to Bethlehem, about 7 to 10 miles outside Jerusalem in Judea. He goes because the government commands it. But behind the scenes, something awesome is happening.

God had spoken through His angel to Mary that she would miraculously conceive. But the Messiah was prophesied to be born in a specific place—not Nazareth. Micah wrote 700 years earlier:

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting. (Micah 5:2)

So God faced a "problem": Mary is in Nazareth, a three-day journey from Bethlehem. His solution? Commandeer earthly authority. Caesar, you need to do a census—everyone return to your place of origin. God moves through earthly methods to bring about His working. The Messiah was prophesied to be born in Bethlehem to a descendant of David (2 Samuel 7), and God uses human power to get Mary exactly where these things would be fulfilled.

It's not hard for God to do what He wants when He has the power to commandeer human authority. He is big enough to accomplish His work, His way, in spite of circumstances. Some of you need to hear that today—whether your burden is a private, personal problem no one knows about, a family issue, or a global crisis you can't fathom being fixed.

God Proves Himself Faithful

This doesn't mean God does everything and we do nothing—He wants us to partner with Him—but He is capable of carrying out His work in spite of us and in spite of whoever occupies the White House.

My wife and I were reminiscing about buying our home. We were in escrow—effectively homeless, but not really—and my loan officer, a sweet Christian brother, called stressed: we'd need a $40,000 secondary loan. At that moment $40,000 seemed like the biggest thing in the world. The company turned it down. My wife's job was 11 months and 15 days; they needed 12 months, and they said no.

The next morning a man who attended the church at the time called just to check on me. I told him what was happening, and he said, "I'll loan you the money." Twenty minutes later he was in my office handing me a check for $40,000. We turned it into a loan, paid him back, and refinanced 25 days later with no problem at all. It was the biggest thing to me in that moment—and God said, "I'm going to prove to you that I'm faithful." He is the one who works, even when there is no room in the inn.

God's Purpose Thrives in Humble Places

And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:7)

Imagine the conversation between Joseph and Mary—"There's no room in the inn"—"I'm about to have a baby!"—"All we have is an animal stall." This isn't how they thought things would go. And yet here is point number two: God's purpose thrives in humble places.

Someone might think, "You don't understand—I've got the worst possible lot." But think about Mary, in labor, with no room but an animal stall. Nazareth was historically unremarkable. Joseph was no wealthy VIP, and Mary was no princess in waiting. An animal stall is no place for a baby to be born, and a manger no proper cradle. Yet God's purpose thrives in humble places.

The Humble Announcement to Shepherds

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger." (Luke 2:8–12)

We can assume this is the same angel—Gabriel—who spoke to Zacharias and Mary. And consider the announcement. Who should receive it? Not Caesar Augustus. Not even Herod. The Father sends His messenger to shepherds—the lowest of the low, keeping their sheep by night. "I am an archangel, and You want me to go talk to shepherds?" But He's the boss, so we go and tell them.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" (Luke 2:13–14)

The birth announcement of the King of Kings does not come from a palace or a royal court. It comes to shepherds in the fields. And this is fitting: because of Bethlehem's proximity to Jerusalem, many of these shepherds raised sheep destined for sacrifice at the temple. How fitting that the announcement of Mary's little Lamb—the One who would call Himself the Good Shepherd (John 10) and be called the Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5)—goes first to shepherds.

God's Promise Breaks Through in Power and Glory

Here is point number three: God's promise breaks through in power and glory—but not always in the way we think, and rarely in the manner or timing we expect. What bursts forth here is good tidings of great joy—the gospel, euangelion, good news. And note: to all people. Not only to the descendants of Abraham, not only to the religious or the well-to-do.

Why is Jesus born in a stable and laid in a manger rather than in a palace surrounded by luxury? In part, to show He is here for all people. If He had come to the well-to-do in a palace, He would be unreachable by you and me. Instead He comes to the most lowly, and the announcement goes to the lowest of the low. This fulfills Isaiah's vision:

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined. (Isaiah 9:2)

The Promise Fulfilled

"There is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior." This is the One promised all the way back in Genesis 3:15, right after the fall, when God told the serpent that the woman's Seed would crush his head even as his heel was bruised. Jesus is the fulfillment of that first promise.

He is also the fulfillment of Genesis 12:3—through Abraham all nations would be blessed; Jesus is that blessing to all peoples. He fulfills Genesis 49, the Lion from the tribe of Judah; Deuteronomy 18:15, the Prophet like unto Moses; 2 Samuel 7, the One from David's royal line; Micah 5:2, born in Bethlehem; Isaiah 7:14, born of a virgin; and Isaiah 9:6, the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Christ, Savior, and Lord

When the angel says "a Savior, who is Christ the Lord," every first-century Jew would understand. Christ—christos, the Anointed One, Mashiach—would carry them back to all the prophecies of Joel, Zechariah, Isaiah, Jeremiah. Savior—Matthew 1 says He shall save His people from their sins. Lord—kurios—is a general term for master or ruler, but in a biblical context it is a divine title. He is God.

Some textual critics claim the Gospels never explicitly say Jesus is God. But these very titles—Christ, Savior, Lord—were unmistakably understood as divine in the first century, even if they don't carry that weight for a modern critic from Purdue. He is the Son of God in human flesh, the Anointed One, the Messiah, the King, the ever-existent Creator and Sustainer of all things, the Alpha and Omega. If you are going to believe what the Bible says about Jesus, that is what you believe. We must receive Him as He has revealed Himself in Scripture, or we are not truly accepting Him as He is.

The Shepherds Respond

So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us." And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled... But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen. (Luke 2:15–20)

When you see and hear something like that, it requires a response. Here is point number four: God's promise, peace, and power require a response—not just from the shepherds 2,000 years ago, but from you and me.

Liar, Lunatic, or Lord

God commandeered Rome's authority to bring forth the glory and power of His Son. He used humble circumstances so we would understand He came for the lowly, not just the privileged class. His coming demands our response.

C.S. Lewis put it well in Mere Christianity:

"I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: 'I'm ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don't accept His claim to be God.' That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic—on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg—or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse... but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to."

This is Lewis's trilemma: Jesus, as revealed in the Gospels, is either a liar, a lunatic, or Lord—but you must make your choice. And if you recognize who He truly is, it demands a response. I would suggest the best response is the one the shepherds gave: to go forth proclaiming the greatness of what they had seen. May we do the same.

Closing Prayer

God, thank You for Your word. I pray that this text would stir our hearts. Maybe some of us need to be reminded that You are in control, even though the things around us seem to be swirling out of control. The simple reminder that You are still on the throne is so important for us to hold in our hearts. Maybe there are some here today who feel they are in a humble circumstance, with no possible way God could do something great through them—and yet the story of the shepherds reminds us that You love to move Your purpose forward in humble situations. Stir in us a desire to go forth as the shepherds did, sharing the good news of Your grace—that You are Savior, Christ, and Lord. Thank You that You have the authority and power to save us from our sins, and the authority in our lives to demonstrate Your power. Would You do that in us this week, we pray, in Jesus' name. And all those who agreed said, Amen.