Big Dreams…..Coming of the Messiah
In today’s world, we have lost the visions God wants to give us through dreams. God still hungers to use that as a direction for tomorrow, but we tend to ignore that message. Time, after time, God has used dreams for me to see the next steps in life when that happens, I just sit secure. I don’t need to share it and get anxious. Sometimes, the fulfillment is quickly, other times the fulfillment is after a period of waiting.
The promises of God given through dreams might have lost it power in today’s world, but it was readily acknowledged in Biblical Israel. Some visions mentioned in the scriptures took hundreds of years to be fulfilled and others about Jesus’s second coming are still to be seen. Dreams and their fulfillment took on a large role in Israel.
The years 1BC-4BC were ripe for good news to be heralded. The Roman rulers and their extreme taxation of every possible means—people, goods, and travel– took their toll. With each passing year, the longing for the Messiah to bring salvation grew.
According to the teachings of that time, the Messiah was coming as a conquering king, overthrowing the present rulers. Yet in the tiny town of Nazareth, the illogical was occurring. The Holy Ghost had a better, a revolutionary plan. The Messiah would come not as a king, but as a representative of the common folk.
Sometime between 4 BC to 2 BC Caesar Augustus became the Roman emperor and was given the title, Pater Patriae, Father of the Country. The author and theologian, James Nollet presents a compelling case that with the crowning of a new emperor, a census was always taken. (asa3.org). “And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.” (Luke 2:1). Because of this requirement, Joseph and Mary made the journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem, Joseph’s family’s original homebase.
The journey from the small village of Nazareth to Bethlehem took at least three days to cover the 90 miles. To avoid Samaria, the group traveled through mountainous terrain and stayed overnight in the open countryside. This was a taxing journey for pregnant Mary. Trading caravans regularly made the trip and Joseph could have joined one of those groups for the safety they provided. Regardless, the journey was long, boring, and physically taxing.
As the couple arrived in Bethlehem, they found a tiny village of 300-400 people crowded. With others also coming to register, a place—possibly an inn, or more likely a guest chamber (with relatives?) –was not found for the couple. Religious laws made it unlikely any Jewish adherents were willing to house the couple. Any female giving birth was considered unclean and defiled a home for seven days. In addition, it would be thirty days after the birth of Jesus before Mary could be purified. In either case in a cave, today within the Church of the Nativity, the infant son was born. “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).
The village of Bethlehem, shortly outside of Jerusalem, played a significant role in Temple sacrifices. The lambs that were used for the daily Temple sacrifices were housed around a watchtower called Migdal Eder. Interestingly, the Jewish scholars taught that from this watchtower the Messiah would be revealed. Where else, but from here, could one expect the angels to announce the birth to the 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. Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.” (Luke 2:9-10).
These were not ordinary shepherds. These shepherds were Jewish adherents who were chosen and trained for this occupation. It was an honor to guard this special flock. The angels continued, “This will be a sign for you: You will find the baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”
For these shepherds, the sign was significant. A manger was the area where the best lambs chosen for the next sacrifice were kept. The shepherds tightly wrapped the sheep in straps of cloth, called swaddling cloths to keep them warm and protected. One can only marvel at God’s planning. The Savior of the people, born in humble beginnings; yet from the beginning showing Himself as the Lamb of God, who would take away the sins of the World.
The question of whether Jesus was born on December 25 cannot be accurately answered. December 25th as the birth date of Christ was not formally accepted until 336AD. December 25th was already a Roman holiday to honor the birth of the sun, so Christians could celebrate freely, without insolent mockery by others. There is another side to the setting of the date. Irenaeus, a Greek bishop of the Christian church, lived about 120 years after Christ. He, along with Hippolytus, a Greek theologian and writer of the 2nd century, taught that Mary’s conception of Jesus occurred during the week of Passover, which in 2BC was the week beginning on March 25, by our calendar. Nine months, then brought one to the December date. In addition, Sextus Julius Africanus, a historian of the second century, listed December 25 as the birth of Christ and Cyril of Jerusalem, a bishop overseeing the Jerusalem congregation, claimed to have the official Jewish birth records that showed Jesus as having been born on December 25. The important question, though, is how one uses the opportunity the Christmas season provides. Is one’s allegiance to the commercialism of the season, or allegiance to the birth of the King of Kings?
Following His birth, the young family had religious responsibilities to fulfill. According to religious law, every Jewish male child, was circumcised and officially named on the eighth day. Thirty-one days after birth, Mary traveled to the Temple to be purified, ending her time of uncleanness. The payment for Jesus’ redemption was given.
While the family was there, Simeon, “Guided by the Spirit, entered the Temple.” (Luke 2:27). When he saw Mary with the infant, he took Jesus in his arms and praised God that now he could die in peace, for “It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he saw the Lord’s Messiah.” (Luke 2:26). Jesus would be “A light for revelation to the gentiles and glory to your people, Israel.” (Luke 2:32). The prophetess Anna also “Came up and began to thank God and to speak about Him to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.” (Luke 2:38). God honored the righteous requests of both Simeon and Anna. Their words served as confirmation of what Mary and Joseph already knew.
Rather than making the arduous journey back to Nazareth, Joseph and Mary possibly settled with relatives in Bethlehem. Joseph found work; Mary found assistance in caring for her infant child and the daily tasks of caring for family needs. While the infant child totally depended on His parents, they knew He one day would be their savior and redeemer.
“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, wise men (Magi) from the East arrived in Jerusalem saying, ‘Where is He who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw His star at its rising and have come to worship Him.’” (Matthew 2:1-2) The term, Magi, is an ancient Persian word and some theologians believe the Magi were priests within the Persian religious system who had studied Jewish beliefs under the influence of the prophet Daniel. Part of the doctrines he shared was the Jewish belief in a coming Messiah.
The Magi traveled to Jerusalem and requested information from Herod the Great. The Magi told Herod, “We saw His star at its rising and have come to worship Him.” (Matthew 2:2). Frederick Larson states that in 2BC the planets Jupiter and Venus and the star Regulus crossed paths with each other multiple times. Because of their proximity, it appeared as one star. Jupiter was Greek for the Hebrew word Sedeq, meaning righteousness and Regulus was known as the King Star because of its brilliance. The righteous king “star” leading to the righteous king of all humanity. (en.wikipedia.org).
When King Herod, heard the Magi’s word, his priestly advisors told him about the prophecy from Micah, “But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the least among the rulers of Judah, for out of you shall come a Ruler, who will shepherd My people Israel.” (Matthew 2:6). After hearing this, the Magi completed their journey to Bethlehem and worshipped the infant. “Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country, another way.” (Matthew 2:12).
When Herod discovered the Magi were not returning, and furious that another might try and usurp his throne, he did what he had done time after time—ordered the killing of his rivals. This time all males in Bethlehem and the surrounding area two years old or younger.
Before the slaughter started, Mary and Joseph fled with Jesus to Egypt for safety. “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young child to destroy Him.” (Matthew 2:13). Egypt was a logical choice for their escape. Although it was part of the Roman Empire, it was not under the control of King Herod. A popular trade route connected both countries, making travel for the family easier.
While they were living in Egypt, King Herod suffered an agonizing death. Jan Hirschman, professor of medicine at the University of Washington, postulates that “It was chronic kidney disease complicated by a severe infection that led to the rotting of his genitals.” (sciencedaily.com) Could there possibly be a worse way to die?
The family resided in Egypt until the angel of the Lord appeared again, “Take the child and His mother back to the land of Israel, because those who were trying to kill the child are dead.” (Matthew 2:20).
Joseph wanted to return to Bethlehem, but “When he learned that the new ruler of Judea was Herod’s son, Archelaus, he was afraid to go there.” (Matthew 2:22). Instead of settling in Bethlehem or another section of Judea, they returned to Nazareth. The ruler, Herod Antipas was more tolerant of Jewish believers and rarely interfered with Jewish practices. “This fulfilled the prophet’s words, ‘He will be called a Nazarene.” (Matthew 2:23).
In Galilee, “The Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon Him.” (Luke 2:40).
For the Holy Family, dreams, and dreaming, were a regular part of their lives. Dreams of why God had chosen them. Dreams of how God would use their Son. Dreams that were filled with possibilities. Dreaming was the perfect way for God’s Spirit to direct their path forward.
Don’t miss God’s direction when you have similar occurrences. Dream big my friend, dream big.
The Journey 