Q15. Bethlehem

[Pastor Ralph]

Q15. (Luke 2:1-7) Why is it important for us to know who governed the area at the time of Jesus’ birth? What difficulties did Mary and Joseph face? What do you think God allowed such difficulties? Why does he allow difficulties in our lives?

[Katy]

Q1.It is important to know who was in power at the time of Jesus because it proves that Jesus is more than a fable or a legend. It makes Jesus verifiable in history. It also gives us an insight into the conditions that Mary and Joseph were living in ie the likes of Herod the great who was craving so much for power that he was prepared to kill his own sins to safeguard his position. He was a real danger to Joseph and Mary and their precious son.

Q2.Joseph and Mary had to make the four day journey to Bethlehem to fill the census but also more importantly to fulfill scripture that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem. Mary was in the last week of pregnancy, there was no comfortable way of making the journey, and at the end no place for her to rest in comfort or in a clean private room where she could give birth.

Q3.Jesus was coming to minister to the poor and the weak by living In poverty they would be able to identify with Him as ‘being one of us ‘ . Also it is a lesson for us to follow to live in a simple way. 
Q4. Jesus has told us that we will have problems in the world but He has overcome the world. Romans 5v3. We also rejoice in our suffering because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance character and character , hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us. 

[LT Lady]

Knowing the circumstances of Jesus’ birth puts it in its historical context. Man cannot say it is just a made up story. That says to me that we as humans must deal with the facts. Do you believe the facts or do you not?

The couple faced many difficulties. I’m sure Mary’s parents had concerns for their daughter, even though she was now considered Joseph’s wife and was under his care. If the journey was in winter it would have been cold. How much could Mary walk? She would have to have ridden on a donkey most of the way with Joseph walking by her side. That in itself would have slowed them down. The roads were rough, not like paved roads we have today. Arriving in Bethlehem, an unfamiliar place to them, amongst strangers, no place to have a place to sleep but in a crude shelter. No help for Mary when it came time to birth the baby, perhaps only Joseph, her new husband. Unsanitary conditions as well. Then after registering, another long trip. Not the best of circumstances for anyone. 

I think God allowed these circumstances because they proved that Jesus indeed set aside His rights and privileges to become human (Philippians 2:6-7).

God allows difficulties in our lives to humble us as well. By them we learn to depend on Him, and His mercy, grace, and love. We come to Him in prayer as we lay it all at His feet. We search His Word for wisdom and understanding to help us. All of these actions help us to grow closer to Him.
 

 

[Old Jerry]

To know who governed the area during the time of Jesus’ birth is to know the charter of the people who were in charge. It tells us of the difficult times that Jesus was born into.

 

The difficulties that Mary and Joseph faced was Mary was about to have a baby and the town that they went to was crowed and there was no place to rest.

 

Yes, God did allow such difficulties to teach us that following Him would not be without some kind of difficulties.

 

God allows difficult time in our lives to help us mature as a Christian.

[Janine]

Q15. (Luke 2:1-7) Why is it important for us to know who governed the area at the time of Jesus' birth?  It is historical evidence that Jesus was born into this world. 

What difficulties did Mary and Joseph face. I can't imagine the emotional difficulties of being pregnant and not married in that society. Which is very likely why she went with Joseph to Bethlehem. The traveling circumstances were harsh compared to today's traveling and you throw in winter conditions. yikes. 

What do you think God allowed such difficulties?  I think it simply was to let his glory shine. The light is brighter after you have gone through a period of difficulties. 

Why does he allow difficulties in our lives?  How we go through our own difficulties will shine the light brighter when we get through them to all around us. We have to trust and depend on Him. 

 

[TraceyF]

It was important for Jesus to be born during this time because the census had just begun and He would be counted in history.

Mary and Joseph faced the four day journey to Bethlehem in possibly winter, Mary being ridiculed for becoming pregnant prior to marriage, traveling so late in pregnancy and Joseph being able to overcome the thought of his chosen wife to be pregnant. Just finding a place to have a baby was a struggle within itself.

As the saying goes, nothing comes easy. Wanting an everlasting life with God is very important and hardship makes his people stronger. Jesus wasn't born in a rich family. Life was hard but he was doing God's work. If we didn't receive hardships in our lives, we wouldn't be able to become stronger by relying on God's words in scripture. Jesus overcame the devil by using God's words. He didn't give in and worship the devil. He won that battle. We can easily lose the battle when our minds are not on him.

[Krissi]

Why is it important for us to know who governed the area at the time of Jesus’ birth? What difficulties did Mary and Joseph face?

Knowing the political leadership and situation at that time helps explains the long foot-journey of Joseph and his pregnant wife.  I can't imagine walking for four days right before birth. That had to be a horrific experience for her. And Joseph, as the man of that family, was probably very concerned about their safety and his relative inability to protect his soon-to-be wife and child. 

What do you think God allowed such difficulties? Why does he allow difficulties in our lives?

His ways are mysterious. Period. To try to explain why God allows so much suffering in the lives of those who are obedient and walking in His will brings us to the conundrum of God using evil for our good. I simply don't understand this and doubt I ever will. Why can't God allow us to build our characters in times of happiness and fulfillment?

[Karen11]

On 8/29/2021 at 3:01 PM, Pastor Ralph said:

Q15. (Luke 2:1-7) Why is it important for us to know who governed the area at the time of Jesus’ birth? What difficulties did Mary and Joseph face? What do you think God allowed such difficulties? Why does he allow difficulties in our lives?

So we know why Mary and Joseph went through what they went through also as we read on in the Bible we can see where and why it started there.

They faced ridicule and embarrassment having been unmarried and with child, having to travel so far in the dessert with Mary being pregnant and little money.

His ways are higher than our ways, maybe to have them depend on God more than themselves.

 

So that we will depend on God more than this world.

[Janzie]

On 8/29/2021 at 3:01 PM, Pastor Ralph said:

Q15. (Luke 2:1-7) Why is it important for us to know who governed the area at the time of Jesus’ birth? What difficulties did Mary and Joseph face? What do you think God allowed such difficulties? Why does he allow difficulties in our lives?

1. a.  Because Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.  For this registry Joseph and Mary had to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem, the birthplace of David.  Jesus is born in history, He is both historical and verifiable.

    b.  They had to travel 4 days from Nazareth to Bethlehem and Mary was in her late pregnancy.  There was no place for them to lodge, so they stayed in a stable where there were animals and Jesus was born and was laid in a manger.

    c.  Jesus commission is to preach good news to the poor, so He is born the poorest of the poor.  Jesus did not come to be served but to be a servant. He emptied Himself and was made in human likeness. They were certainly humbled in all they had to go through.

    d.  He allows difficulties in our lives that we might learn to depend on Him.

[hanks]

Q15. (Luke 2:1-7) Why is it important for us to know who governed the area at the time of Jesus' birth? What difficulties did Mary and Joseph face? Why do you think God allowed such difficulties? Why does He allow difficulties in our lives? 
It’s important to know the historical background of Jesus’ birth; proving that He actually lived during this period, and that our Lord Jesus is not a myth or a legend, but that He is both historical and verifiable. The Bible records actual history and real events, and is not a “once upon a time” story. Jesus’ birth can be dated as falling in the reign of Caesar Augustus who ruled from 27 BC until 14 AD; Herod the Great’s reign ended in 4 BC. So, it has been determined that Jesus was born between 6 and 4 BC. Both Mary and Joseph faced many difficulties. Firstly, being exposed to so much shame, gossip, and scorn, trying to explain that the baby was miraculously conceived by the Holy Spirit, and that the baby would be the King, the Saviour, the Son of God - God in human flesh. Then there was the trip to Bethlehem. Being 9 months pregnant, the journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem over about 120 km took them about 4 days, and must have been most difficult and uncomfortable. Especially over the hills surrounding Jerusalem. And when they came to Bethlehem there was no room for them. From my own experience my best times of growing and drawing closer to our Lord, have been when undergoing trying circumstances. In the same way God allowed these difficulties to come upon Mary and Joseph. I’m sure we are often tested for our own good – God preparing us for eternity. Being a Christian does not guarantee an easy life of prosperity and having all that we want. God refines us and disciplines us all for our own good. I would not have it any other way! We have to trust God in all we do and surrender all to Him. 
 

[haar]

Q15. (Luke 2:1-7) Why is it important for us to know who governed the area at the time of Jesus' birth?

It is to confirm that Jesus was actually born into history and is not just a “tale by the moonlight stories” told to small children by adults at night for relaxation. He was and is real connected to events, important figures at the time and the specific real time!

What difficulties did Mary and Joseph face.

The journey to Bethlehem was long, tedious, very trying and hard especially for Mary who was heavy with a baby. Worst of all, there was no place to lodge except in smelly cattle shade, in manger.

What do you think God allowed such difficulties?

I think God wanted to show the humble disposition of the Lamb of God that would lay down his life as a sacrifice for my sin and that of mankind.

 Why does he allow difficulties in our lives?

To test and teach us humility.
 

[Reina]

It is important for me to know who was in power, to allow me to see what evil was before His coming in the world and how it precipitated the trials of Mary and Joseph and all they had to endure do to the powers of that time. And most importantly that Jesus was real historically, He was not a myth or a legend.  Jesus Christ the son of God is verifiable.

First Mary was pregnant before them being legally married.  Also they had to make a four day trip in the cold so Joseph could register in his ancestral town.  And when it came time to give birth there was no place for this young mother to have her baby.

I I think that Jesus did not come into the world as a rich and Worldly King, to rule with prestige, flaunting his power and his rights as God, but to come humbly, poorer than poor, lower than the lowest to demonstrate his love for us.  And that he was willing to come as a servant to serve us and to save us.  Not as a dictator or ruler, but by his demonstration of his lowliness in which he demonstrated his strength in all that he had to accomplish for us.

That in weakness and humbleness I can find strength. For it is through Christ, I can do all things through him who strengthens me.  Phillipians 4:13

I can Live As Christ Lived!!

[Zibuyile]

Q15

Why is it important for us to know the governor during Jesus birth

Herold the Great was the governor at that time and was known to be ruthless king. Mary and Josrph faced hardship under hisvrulership . Knowing who was a ruler gives us insight  of the conditions  at time of Jesus birth  and that Jesus as our king also went through difficulties 

What difficulties  did Mary and Joseph face?

Having to travel long hours to Jerusalem fir census as was decreed .Mary highly pregnant and Time  of birth near had to  give birth to  Jesus in Manger as there was no hotel available for them .

Why do you think God allowed such difficulties?

Gor us to witness that even the King of kings went through difficulties  and us also are not immuned to not face hardships in our lives 

Why He allowed difficulties  in our lives?

So we may learn from Jesus that if He endured hardship , we also will face such in our lives and be able to conquer  inspire of

[Irmela]

Q15. (Luke 2:1-7) Why is it important for us to know who governed the area at the time of Jesus' birth?

By mention being made of people and events written about (other than in the Holy Scriptures) to have taken place we are assured that it is no myth or legend, but a real happening in history. This also gives us  an idea of what it was like in the time Jesus lived as man in this world. 

What difficulties did Mary and Joseph face.

Mary was pregnant and not yet married. This was a big scandal. So there was probably rejection by the community. At the end of her pregnancy, they had to travel to Bethlehem to register. This was an ardeous, 4-day journey. 

What do you think God allowed such difficulties?

For Jesus to be able to reach all in society He had to have experienced their suffering and want as well. He came to reach out to the poor also and so He became poor for our sakes. He laid aside everything (He emptied Himself) 

Why does he allow difficulties in our lives?

So that we learn to depend on Him and not on our own strength

 

[blezed]

Why is it important for us to know who governed the area at the time of Jesus' birth?

It is important for us to know who governed the area at the time of Jesus birth to show that he he was neither a myth or legend and was born in history.

What difficulties did Mary and Joseph face?

Difficulties that they faced were the journey to Bethlehem, Mary pregnant and unmarried, scandal they both faced, and Jesus born in a stable. 

What do you think God allowed such difficulties?

Difficulties were allowed to show humbleness. 

Why does he allow difficulties in our lives?

Difficulties are allow in our lives to teach us that we are to be humble servants also.

 

 

[haar]

Q15. (Luke 2:1-7) Why is it important for us to know who governed the area at the time of Jesus' birth?

This ensures that Jesus story was not just like one of the children stories in “Tales by the Moon light” but a true story at a record time with historic real figures/ people at the time of his birth.

What difficulties did Mary and Joseph face?

They had to go through treacherous and long journey with Mary already heavy with a baby thus walking with difficulties. And above all these, there was no place to lodge and for the Royal baby to be born except at the Manger!!

What do you think God allowed such difficulties? Why does he allow difficulties in our lives?

God allowed such difficulties that Jesus, the ‘Discipler’ will teach us disciples to expect difficulties and challenges as we embark on discipleship in our lives.
 

[Debra Grant]

Q15. (Luke 2:1-7) Why is it important for us to know who governed the area at the time of Jesus’ birth? What difficulties did Mary and Joseph face? What do you think God allowed such difficulties? Why does he allow difficulties in our lives?

It is because certain people did not like him. It helps to know that even though trouble was among Mary and Joseph, they were determined to endure and that things were not the best for them or Jesus.

There was no room for them in the Inn, taxes had to be paid and they traveled a long way to paid them. Jesus was not born in a manager.

We are to look at Jesus situation and let it encourage us.

We grow stronger and learn to be happy in difficut situations.

[Eldress Rowe]

It is important that we know who governed the area at the time of Jesus's birth that we might understand the historical content of His birth and the prophecy of Daniel might be fulfilled.  Daniel had prophesied that He would be born in the days of the kings of the fourth monarchy.

The first difficulty was having to travel such a distance when she was so far along in her pregnancy. After making such a long and treacherous journey they found not room in the inn  but Jesus was born in the stable with the animals, place in a manager, a place where the cattle stood to be feed, instead of a cradle, and wrapped in swaddling clothes.  Had His parents been rich or had their been any common humanity among the people room would have been made for then.

God allowed such circumstances to demonstrate to the world that Jesus was to be a servant who was able to relate to the least among us.  Jesus, coming from humble beginnings. we able to demonstrate humility and show love and compassion.

Difficulties are allowed in our lives to humble us and make us aware of our dependency upon a higher power

[Janzie]

On 8/29/2021 at 3:01 PM, Pastor Ralph said:

Q15. (Luke 2:1-7) Why is it important for us to know who governed the area at the time of Jesus’ birth? What difficulties did Mary and Joseph face? What do you think God allowed such difficulties? Why does he allow difficulties in our lives?

1. a.  Because Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.  For this registry Joseph and Mary had to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem, the birthplace of David.  Jesus is born in history, He is both historical and verifiable.

    b.  They had to travel 4 days from Nazareth to Bethlehem and Mary was in her late pregnancy.  There was no place for them to lodge, so they stayed in a stable where there were animals and Jesus was born and was laid in a manger.

    c.  Jesus commission is to preach good news to the poor, so He is born the poorest of the poor.  Jesus did not come to be served but to be a servant. He emptied Himself and was made in human likeness. They were certainly humbled in all they had to go through.

    d.  He allows difficulties in our lives that we might learn to depend on Him.

 

[EMC]

• Why is it important for us to know who governed the area at the time of Jesus' birth?
  • I think it is important in that it makes the whole story of the birth of Christ credible, authentic. This also fulfills Micah's prophecy (Micah 5:2) and also that of Daniel 
• What difficulties did Mary and Joseph face?
  • Travelling for 4 days with a pregnant teenager almost term. All this was in winter and therefore very cold
  • failing to secure accommodation at the Inn and hence having to settle for the stable and share the space with the livestock
  • Getting into labour and having to use the manger as a crib
• What do you think God allowed such difficulties?
  • To emphacise the point that following God is not a smooth journey nor a bed of roses. We must expect problems however we need to know where to seek help and take heart because He has overcome the world (John 16:33)
  • in addition this highlights the point that as Jesus' disciples, we are not to seek glory but servanthood whether it is convenient or not. 
  • It also emphacises the need for humility
• Why does he allow difficulties in our lives?
  • Some of it is to test our faith and James says testing faith produces perseverance and maturity. Problems teach us to depend on God