What Jesus Did! 'Historical Reality!' — Luke 2:1-3

Tuesday, January 24, 2023

At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census.
— Luke 2:1-3 NLT

Key Thought

The Good News of God does not occur in a vacuum. Luke wants us to know that Jesus' life was lived out in the real world, at a real time, with real people, who dealt with real problems. God does not want us to live our lives isolated and separated from his presence. He does not want us to have to reach beyond our grasp to find him. He wants us to know that he understands the limits of our mortal world. In Jesus, God has entered our real world to draw near to us and to draw us near to him! The real question is whether we will let him into our lives.

Today's Prayer

Loving Father, our Almighty God, I open my life to you. You are welcome here. Come and draw near. Change me at your will. I long to be your child — not just in name, but also in closeness and in character. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Acts 17:24-28
  • John 1:14-18
  • Matthew 7:7-8; James 4:8 NRSV

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Illustration

Illustration of Luke 2:1-3 NLT — ) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census.

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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