The Short Version.
When they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city of Nazareth. The Child continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him. (Luke 2:39-40)
After reading the lengthy details about the Shepherds finding the babe wrapped and lying in a manger, we find Jesus as an eight-day-old being named and circumcised. The narrative then moves seamlessly to Jesus’ first trip to the Temple. Suddenly, in Luke’s account, we are whisked back to Nazareth, where Jesus grows up for twelve years before His next recorded trip to the Temple.
After reading the lengthy details about the Shepherds finding the babe wrapped and lying in a manger, we find Jesus as an eight-day-old being named and circumcised. The narrative then moves seamlessly to Jesus’ first trip to the Temple. Suddenly, in Luke’s account, we are whisked back to Nazareth, where Jesus grows up for twelve years before His next recorded trip to the Temple.
The Long Version.
What is so interesting is what is left out. We know from Matthew’s record that Joseph and Mary stayed in Bethlehem for almost two years: the time ascertained by Herod from the magi. (Matt. 2:16) Did they stay because they were too poor to travel back to Nazareth? How much had Caesar’s taxes taken from them? Was it because they had a connected family network that they stayed? It may have seemed from the day-to-day events that circumstances were keeping them in Bethlehem. Did they know that their extended stay had a Divinely Directed Purpose?
God’s Bigger Plan was Being Accomplished.
God drew Gentiles to come and bow before His Messiah and present gifts. (Isaiah 60:6) Jesus was the Savior of not just the Jews, but for the whole world. (Isaiah 49:6). Nations were bowing before God’s appointed King from David’s royal line. (Psalm 72:10-11)
I’m sure the day-to-day events before the magi arrived didn’t look as if anything so momentous was happening at all. Unbeknownst to Joseph and Mary as they lived life in Bethlehem and were getting settled in a new place, travelers were even then being brought to them, drawn to them, because of God’s bigger plan.
God’s Bountiful Provision was Being Activated.
The shepherds’ announcement may not have impacted Herod, but dignitaries from foreign lands certainly did! His first thought was that Messiah had been born. (Matt. 2:4) In his murderous rage, he sent his soldiers to kill the babies. It was time for Joseph and Mary to leave Bethlehem…NOW. IMMEDIATELY!!
God had kept them there in Bethlehem, hidden and protected, until the magi came and presented their gifts. They now had such an abundance of gold and frankincense and myrrh, not to lavish it upon themselves, but to supply what was needed for their trip to Egypt and getting established there. God’s supply had come exactly at the point of their need.
God’s Bigger Plan was Being Accomplished.
God drew Gentiles to come and bow before His Messiah and present gifts. (Isaiah 60:6) Jesus was the Savior of not just the Jews, but for the whole world. (Isaiah 49:6). Nations were bowing before God’s appointed King from David’s royal line. (Psalm 72:10-11)
I’m sure the day-to-day events before the magi arrived didn’t look as if anything so momentous was happening at all. Unbeknownst to Joseph and Mary as they lived life in Bethlehem and were getting settled in a new place, travelers were even then being brought to them, drawn to them, because of God’s bigger plan.
God’s Bountiful Provision was Being Activated.
The shepherds’ announcement may not have impacted Herod, but dignitaries from foreign lands certainly did! His first thought was that Messiah had been born. (Matt. 2:4) In his murderous rage, he sent his soldiers to kill the babies. It was time for Joseph and Mary to leave Bethlehem…NOW. IMMEDIATELY!!
God had kept them there in Bethlehem, hidden and protected, until the magi came and presented their gifts. They now had such an abundance of gold and frankincense and myrrh, not to lavish it upon themselves, but to supply what was needed for their trip to Egypt and getting established there. God’s supply had come exactly at the point of their need.
When day follows day and it seems that circumstances have dictated where I am, God’s divine hand is still directing the events so that others are brought to find Jesus and there is full provision to do His will.
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