December 21: The Census
“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.”
Luke 2:1–5
The Bible is very clear that God is our comforter (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). But, the Bible–and life for that matter–are also very clear that God doesn’t always aim to keep us comfortable. And if anyone knew this truth, it was Mary, the mother of Jesus.
The beginning of Luke chapter 2 describes a huge census undertaken around the time of Jesus’s birth. Essentially, to count the population of the Roman Empire and to determine who to tax and how to tax them, everyone had to travel to their ancestral hometown to be registered. Joseph, being from the line of King David (verrrrry important for the prophecies concerning the Messiah), had to head to the town of Bethlehem (also a big red check mark in the prophecy department). And, of course, a very pregnant Mary came along.
But this wasn’t a luxury, self-driving Tesla road trip. Mary and Joseph didn’t have an RV or a private jet. No way! This was a 4 day grueling walk, possibly accompanied by a donkey Mary may have ridden on. Hot and sweaty? Definitely. Exhausting? Definitely. Uncomfortable? For sure!
We feel for Mary here. That trip must have been so hard! But it does tell us something about God. If He allowed Mary, a woman who had found favor with Him and who held His only son in her womb, to undergo an uncomfortable trial to fulfill His plan, wouldn’t He do the same for us?
You see, Jesus had to be born in Bethlehem, according to Micah 5:2. Perhaps the census was another instrument in God’s plan, spurring Mary and Joseph to head to their hometown. Certainly God didn’t want Mary to suffer! We can’t imagine that He enjoyed watching her try to massage her sore back, seeing the sweat drip from her brow, or witnessing her carefully cradling her swollen stomach on the rockier roads. But, for the fulfillment of His good plan ahead, He gave her the strength to get through it.
In the discomfort, God was Mary’s comforter.
“...For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:2b
We often beg God to free us from uncomfortable seasons. But what if God is leaving us in them because He knows the destination is for our good and for His glory? Today, for the joy set before you, ask God to give you the strength to endure what you cannot change. Look to Him for comfort and boldly ask that He would take you deeper into uncomfortable terrain.
Pray: God, comfort me in my uncomfortable seasons.
Further Study: This particular Roman census mentioned in Luke 2 is a hot topic of debate for scholars. Do some of your own research to see what historical conclusions they come to. (It’s OK, you can use Google! We won’t judge!)
Interact: Let’s get real. Are you in an uncomfortable season right now? What is it? How has this devo begun to change our perspective on it, if at all?
