Luke 2:1-6
1 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. 4 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. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.
Nazareth: The Hometown of Joseph and Mary
We know that Joseph and Mary were from the lowly and poor village of Nazareth, and it was here that they were married and established a home. While Mary progressed in the last stages of pregnancy, an order was given from Caesar Augustus that everyone should return to the city of their lineage and birth for a census, and Joseph and Mary made the difficult 70 mile journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. We see that this was all part of the divine plan of God, concerning the birth of Jesus, for the scripture foretold 700 years before the birth of Jesus, that Christ would be born in Bethlehem.
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, are the smallest town in Judah. Your family is almost too small to count, but the “Ruler of Israel” will come from you.” (Micah 5:2 – ERV)
After Christ’s birth, Herod asked the scribes and priests concerning the place of the Messiah’s birth, to which they clearly responded, that Christ was prophetically foretold to be born in Bethlehem.
“He inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet … ” – Matthew 2:4
Had it not been for this census, it would seem a normal thing that Christ would be born in Nazareth, but God’s sure word of prophecy was that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.
Jesus of Nazareth, and the Divine Coincidence
When Christ’s ministry began, Philip went to his friend Nathaniel to say,
“We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets wrote – Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” – John 1:45
To this Nathaniel responded,
“Can any good thing come out of Nazareth.” – John 1:46
Nathaniel’s response may not have been one of anger, but one of a skillful student of the law and prophets. The fact is, the scripture had little or nothing to say of the Messiah coming from Nazareth, and this fact was a stumbling block for the religious community. The Pharisees especially discounted the Son of God, based on their false perceptions, that Jesus was from (or born) in Nazareth. Their dogmatism would not allow them to believe in Christ, but had they inquisitive hearts before God, they might have found out that Christ was indeed born in Bethlehem in fulfillment of the prophecies of the Old Testament.
Seeming Coincidences in Your Life Can Be God’s Divine Appointments
Consider for a moment, all of the detours and unplanned events of your life. As a believer in Christ, God obviously changes things in our lives to work His purposes and plans in our lives. Remember this , Mary and Joseph traveled the rough road to Bethlehem during the most uncomfortable time of Mary’s pregnancy, but it worked out to be the absolute divine destiny of God concerning the birth of the Messiah, Jesus. Don’t allow the difficulty of unplanned circumstances, cause you to lose heart. God is in control, and working in your life.
Ask God in all circumstances, especially in the unplanned events of life, “Lord, how are You at work in this situation?” See what God does, and believe Him that He can be work in the challenges of life, making them into His “Divine Coincidences.”
photo: https://pixabay.com/photos/winter-snow-park-cold-nature-4551699/ (Edits: charlescurtis)
