The Smallest Details

Harry "guarding" the new puzzle. Sadly, even though
it was sealed, there were two pieces missing! 

Scripture:

Luke 2:1    In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. ² This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. ³ All went to their own towns to be registered. ⁴ Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. ⁵ He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child.

Observation:

In this second chapter, it’s almost as if Luke is beginning the story all over again. He seems to want to pass along the smallest details so that the entire story can be grounded in history — and in truth. He lets us know that Augustus was emperor, and Quirinius was the governor. The idea of a census was not new, and it was not used for the benefit of the people — but of the Crown. After the census there would be an adjustment made to the taxes, which meant an increase, leaving less for the ordinary people to live on. This would have included the family of Jesus, for they were from humble means. 

We discover that Joseph is from the town of Nazareth, which is placed specifically in the region of the Galilee in Judea. Mary and Joseph have to travel from this town in the north, to Bethlehem, which is just south of Jerusalem. Here it is clarified that Joseph is a descendant of David, and that he has brought Mary with him so that they can both be registered. Luke leaves no doubt that she is pregnant, but that they are in an “engaged” status in regard to their relationship. She is still a virgin. 

Luke’s attention to detail leaves us with the story of Jesus’ birth grounded in history and prophecy. 

Application:

Many details are made clear in these five brief verses, and they lock-in the story of Jesus. Luke’s attention to detail means that the story of Jesus is a reality for all of us, two-thousand years later. God wanted the smallest of details to be shared so that the good news could remain for all of time, pointing in the direction of salvation through Christ. 

I think God cares about the smallest details in our lives as well. Maybe there have been situations or circumstances that haven’t seemed to have gone in the right direction and you wonder whether God really cared. Just look at Mary and Joseph — they certainly could have wondered about their situation. Mary is pregnant before they are married. The Emperor wants to tax the people more so they have to go on a trip where, when they arrive they are not warmly welcomed. In our own human minds, God could have done a better job with the details, and yet, the details were perfectly aligned with God’s will and purpose for the salvation of all of humankind. 

Be careful when you begin to think that you could have done a better job with the details of your life. That heartache or disappointment in the details of a situation may be what God wants to use for the bigger picture. This Christmas season we are working on puzzles, and just as one little piece doesn’t give us clarity as to the big picture, if one piece is missing, the picture is not whole. Actually, with just one missing piece, we can be left frustrated — because the details matter. 

The details of our lives are of concern to God. Be willing to trust God with the decisions of life, large and small, and trust God, even when it appears that things didn’t turn out the way that you may have wanted. 

Prayer:

Lord, may my trust and dependence upon you continue to grow, in the big things of life, and the very smallest details. Amen.