Today we reflect upon and celebrate the profound truth that Jesus Christ came into this world at the perfect time in history. The birth of Jesus was not a random event, but a meticulously planned and divinely orchestrated moment that changed the course of humanity forever. Let us delve into the Scriptures and explore the significance of the timing of Jesus' arrival.
God's perfect plan has been unfolding for 6,000 years. Throughout the Old Testament, God's prophets foretold the coming of the Messiah. Prophecies such as Isaiah 7:14, "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." and Micah 5:2, "But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting." pointed to a specific time and place for the Messiah's birth.
Then, just over 2,000 years ago the Roman Empire established a network of roads and a common language (Greek) that facilitated the spread of the Gospel. The Romans found scrolls to be cumbersome for lengthy works and developed the codex, individual pages written on vellum, papyrus, and other materials. This provided the means for a broader distribution of scripture. Coupled with the Jewish people's growing desire for the promised Messiah, which fueled the spiritual hunger in a society ready for His arrival.
God's plan was realized when Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem due to a Roman census as told in Luke 2:1-7. This fulfilled the prophecy of Micah 5:2 and fulfilled the perfect timing of Jesus' birth.
The Roman Pax Romana (Roman Peace) ensured relative stability and security, allowing the Gospel message to be carried across borders. Greek, the lingua franca of the time, enabled communication and the spread of the Good News.
Galatians 4:4-5, "But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons." tells us that Jesus came at the appointed time to redeem all of humanity. His arrival offered salvation not just to the Jews but to people from every nation, to reconcile them with God.
Jesus' sacrifice on the cross and His resurrection provided the means for reconciliation between sinful humanity and a holy God. This was the culmination of God's plan to restore a broken world.
Our faith in God's perfect timing, not only in the past but also in our lives today, produces the evidence His plan is being fulfilled. Even in difficult circumstances, we can rest assured that God's timing is always perfect. Faith and trust are thus rewarded.
Just as Jesus' arrival had a purpose, our lives have a purpose in God's plan. We are called to share the Gospel and demonstrate God's love to others, regardless of the timing or circumstances.
The birth of Jesus at the perfect time in history is a testament to God's sovereignty and His unwavering love for humanity. The truth recorded in history outside of the Bible reminds us that God's plans are always executed with precision, His timing is impeccable, and separates Christianity from all other religions. As we reflect on this truth, may we be encouraged to trust in God's timing in our own lives, knowing that He is working all things for our good and His glory. Let us go forth, inspired by the significance of Jesus' arrival, and share the message of hope and salvation with a world that desperately needs it.
God has placed us in unique places throughout this world. This blog is about sharing His Word; please share it with those you believe would be blessed by hearing it. Bless you! If you want to receive the weekly blog, email us at bill@reasoningwithgod.com. If you want to read past blogs, go to https://www.reasoningwithgod.com/blog.
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