1 00:00:00,400 --> 00:00:03,600 Speaker 1: If any one desires to come after me, let him 2 00:00:03,600 --> 00:00:07,240 Speaker 1: deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 3 00:00:08,039 --> 00:00:14,560 Speaker 1: Matthew sixteen twenty four. Dear Heavenly Father, as we celebrate 4 00:00:14,640 --> 00:00:18,560 Speaker 1: the birth of Jesus, remind us of the profound journey 5 00:00:18,600 --> 00:00:23,960 Speaker 1: he embarked upon for our sake, a journey that called 6 00:00:24,000 --> 00:00:31,600 Speaker 1: for sacrifice, selflessness, and enduring love. This Christmas, as we 7 00:00:31,680 --> 00:00:36,400 Speaker 1: exchange gifts and share and festivities, may we also remember 8 00:00:36,600 --> 00:00:41,120 Speaker 1: the greatest gift of all, Christ, who came not just 9 00:00:41,200 --> 00:00:44,240 Speaker 1: to be born in a manger, but to lay down 10 00:00:44,360 --> 00:00:50,040 Speaker 1: his life for us. Empower us with the same mind 11 00:00:50,159 --> 00:00:54,520 Speaker 1: and will of Christ, who set aside his comforts to 12 00:00:54,640 --> 00:00:59,760 Speaker 1: carry his cross. Show us every day how to follow 13 00:00:59,760 --> 00:01:04,720 Speaker 1: in the footsteps of Jesus, serving and loving those around us. 14 00:01:06,319 --> 00:01:09,399 Speaker 1: Thank you for the priceless gift of your son and 15 00:01:09,440 --> 00:01:14,600 Speaker 1: the invitation to follow him. Fill our hearts with gratitude, love, 16 00:01:15,240 --> 00:01:20,959 Speaker 1: and true joy this Christmas. In the precious name of Jesus, 17 00:01:21,000 --> 00:01:23,040 Speaker 1: we pray Amen. 18 00:01:32,000 --> 00:01:35,560 Speaker 2: The winds of change swept across Israel with increasing fervor. 19 00:01:35,880 --> 00:01:38,240 Speaker 2: It was as if the very breath of God stirred 20 00:01:38,240 --> 00:01:41,280 Speaker 2: the dust between the Roman ruled province whispering of a 21 00:01:41,360 --> 00:01:46,040 Speaker 2: tumults yet to unfold. Rebellion and discord, long smoldering in 22 00:01:46,080 --> 00:01:49,480 Speaker 2: the hearts of the oppressed Hebrews, started to spark. A 23 00:01:49,520 --> 00:01:52,280 Speaker 2: group of rebels known as the dagger Men, grew by 24 00:01:52,280 --> 00:01:55,560 Speaker 2: the day. Some knew them by a different name, the Zealots. 25 00:01:56,200 --> 00:02:00,920 Speaker 2: They were men of tact, skill and secrecy. By Roman 26 00:02:01,040 --> 00:02:05,640 Speaker 2: hatred and a desire to usher in Israeli independence, they 27 00:02:05,680 --> 00:02:08,799 Speaker 2: assassinated some of Caesar's highest ranking officials. 28 00:02:09,520 --> 00:02:10,320 Speaker 3: They were growing in. 29 00:02:10,320 --> 00:02:15,320 Speaker 2: Number and needed to be stopped. Caesar Augustus, ruling from 30 00:02:15,320 --> 00:02:18,080 Speaker 2: the heart of the Roman Empire, was not ignorant of 31 00:02:18,120 --> 00:02:22,000 Speaker 2: these Daggermen. His eyes, though distant, were sharp, and his 32 00:02:22,080 --> 00:02:26,160 Speaker 2: paranoia simmered alongside the rebellion. He had not risen to 33 00:02:26,240 --> 00:02:30,960 Speaker 2: power by being ignorant. In a move uncharacteristic of Roman custom, 34 00:02:31,200 --> 00:02:34,760 Speaker 2: he issued a decree, one that both revealed his desperation 35 00:02:34,880 --> 00:02:38,880 Speaker 2: for control and reflected his fear of the burgeoning unrest. 36 00:02:39,320 --> 00:02:43,520 Speaker 2: Each individual under Roman rule, from the richest aristocrat to 37 00:02:43,560 --> 00:02:47,000 Speaker 2: the poorish shepherd, was to be counted in a census. 38 00:02:47,639 --> 00:02:50,359 Speaker 2: But it was not to be an ordinary census. No, 39 00:02:50,680 --> 00:02:55,200 Speaker 2: this one bore the insidious mark of Caesar's paranoia. The 40 00:02:55,240 --> 00:02:58,480 Speaker 2: people were required to return to their ancestral homes the 41 00:02:58,520 --> 00:03:01,560 Speaker 2: towns of their forefathers to day be registered and accounted for. 42 00:03:02,200 --> 00:03:06,200 Speaker 2: To execute this decree, Caesar dispatched Courineus, the stirred and 43 00:03:06,400 --> 00:03:08,280 Speaker 2: unwavering governor of Syria. 44 00:03:09,120 --> 00:03:11,040 Speaker 4: We cannot stop. 45 00:03:10,680 --> 00:03:17,840 Speaker 2: These sealds unless we disorganize them, Caesar told Corinius. Therefore, 46 00:03:17,960 --> 00:03:21,960 Speaker 2: we will force every man to travel uproot them and 47 00:03:22,000 --> 00:03:27,520 Speaker 2: their families. This will make them vulnerable. Corineus agreed and 48 00:03:27,600 --> 00:03:31,160 Speaker 2: immediately began preparations to force the census upon the people 49 00:03:31,160 --> 00:03:31,720 Speaker 2: of Israel. 50 00:03:35,280 --> 00:03:37,440 Speaker 5: I'm so glad you've joined us on the Bible in 51 00:03:37,480 --> 00:03:41,800 Speaker 5: a Year podcast today, But before we get to today's episode, 52 00:03:41,920 --> 00:03:44,400 Speaker 5: I want you to know that I would absolutely love 53 00:03:44,480 --> 00:03:47,640 Speaker 5: to send you my daily devotional that will give you 54 00:03:47,800 --> 00:03:52,480 Speaker 5: fresh encouragement every single morning and day from the moment 55 00:03:52,560 --> 00:03:55,200 Speaker 5: we wake up to the moment our head finally hits 56 00:03:55,200 --> 00:03:59,400 Speaker 5: the pillow. There are thousands of things demanding our attention, 57 00:04:00,120 --> 00:04:02,280 Speaker 5: but it's in the midst of all this crush and 58 00:04:02,400 --> 00:04:05,200 Speaker 5: hustle and bustle that you and I need peace and 59 00:04:05,280 --> 00:04:08,160 Speaker 5: truth in God's Word. That's why I want to help 60 00:04:08,200 --> 00:04:12,120 Speaker 5: you spend time each day growing in God's life giving, 61 00:04:12,320 --> 00:04:16,440 Speaker 5: life changing word by sending you my free daily email 62 00:04:16,520 --> 00:04:21,760 Speaker 5: devotional PowerPoint Today. So visit Jagraham dot org to sign 63 00:04:21,839 --> 00:04:27,000 Speaker 5: up for your PowerPoint Today devotional. That's Jagraham dot org 64 00:04:27,560 --> 00:04:32,920 Speaker 5: Jack Graham dot org. This episode begins Mary and Joseph's 65 00:04:33,000 --> 00:04:36,600 Speaker 5: journey to Bethlehem, the harrowing journey that will test their 66 00:04:36,640 --> 00:04:42,200 Speaker 5: faith and stamina. It was prophesied that the Messiah would 67 00:04:42,240 --> 00:04:46,440 Speaker 5: be born in Bethlehem, the birthplace of David. For Jesus 68 00:04:46,440 --> 00:04:49,279 Speaker 5: to be born in Bethlehem, God had to use the 69 00:04:49,440 --> 00:04:55,000 Speaker 5: geopolitical struggles of the time. The political landscape of Israel 70 00:04:55,120 --> 00:04:59,919 Speaker 5: during this time was wrought with civil unrest, corruption, and conspedraing. 71 00:05:01,320 --> 00:05:03,840 Speaker 5: The harsh hand of Caesar on the people of Israel 72 00:05:04,080 --> 00:05:08,279 Speaker 5: caused many radical Jewish factions to rise. One of the 73 00:05:08,320 --> 00:05:13,880 Speaker 5: more infamous groups was the Daggermen, also known as the Zealous. Simon, 74 00:05:14,080 --> 00:05:17,080 Speaker 5: one of Jesus's twelve disciples, was one of those men. 75 00:05:17,760 --> 00:05:20,919 Speaker 5: This story speculates that they might be the reason for 76 00:05:20,960 --> 00:05:26,039 Speaker 5: the census. Although it is speculation, historical clues suggest it's 77 00:05:26,080 --> 00:05:32,040 Speaker 5: a possibility. Historians have wrestled with the historical accuracy of 78 00:05:32,120 --> 00:05:35,400 Speaker 5: Luke's account of the census, so scholars are forced to 79 00:05:35,440 --> 00:05:40,320 Speaker 5: speculate reasons why the censues occurred. Our story today is 80 00:05:40,560 --> 00:05:44,799 Speaker 5: speculation for the sake of storytelling, but it isn't outside 81 00:05:44,800 --> 00:05:49,120 Speaker 5: the realm of possibility. Rome's relationship with the Jewish nation 82 00:05:49,360 --> 00:05:55,480 Speaker 5: was complex and dysfunctional. They saw Rome as another oppressive 83 00:05:55,560 --> 00:05:59,719 Speaker 5: ruler like Babylon. As a result, the Jews were riled 84 00:05:59,800 --> 00:06:02,880 Speaker 5: up with a renewed prophetic passion for the Messiah to 85 00:06:02,920 --> 00:06:06,760 Speaker 5: come and deliver them. This was the stage that was 86 00:06:06,839 --> 00:06:10,720 Speaker 5: set for the coming of Jesus. Even amid all the 87 00:06:10,760 --> 00:06:15,000 Speaker 5: madness of culture, God was on the move. We believe 88 00:06:15,040 --> 00:06:19,240 Speaker 5: in a God who contame chaos and bring beauty from ashes. 89 00:06:20,560 --> 00:06:24,680 Speaker 5: As the Nativity story intensifies, look for God's hidden hand 90 00:06:24,839 --> 00:06:29,760 Speaker 5: of providence. Genesis chapter fifty, verse twenty reminds us that 91 00:06:30,040 --> 00:06:33,400 Speaker 5: what men in tend for evil, God can use for good. 92 00:06:34,080 --> 00:06:37,640 Speaker 5: This census strained the Jewish people, but God would use 93 00:06:37,680 --> 00:06:42,880 Speaker 5: it to bring about their redemption. Let's hop back into 94 00:06:42,920 --> 00:06:45,919 Speaker 5: the story now. Joseph is about to receive the news 95 00:06:45,920 --> 00:06:49,280 Speaker 5: that he must uproot Mary in her pregnancy's late stages. 96 00:06:50,160 --> 00:06:52,919 Speaker 5: What will he do? How will he respond when the 97 00:06:52,920 --> 00:06:56,680 Speaker 5: pressure mounts. Let's find out now. In this dramatic telling 98 00:06:56,760 --> 00:07:00,840 Speaker 5: of Luke chapter two, verses one through fivewards will unpack 99 00:07:00,880 --> 00:07:02,880 Speaker 5: the story to find Christmas themes. 100 00:07:04,960 --> 00:07:08,520 Speaker 2: Corneus was not a beloved man. He carried very little 101 00:07:08,520 --> 00:07:12,320 Speaker 2: about being loved or admired. He wanted their fear. If 102 00:07:12,320 --> 00:07:15,320 Speaker 2: he could not gain their fear, their respect would be 103 00:07:15,360 --> 00:07:19,800 Speaker 2: a consolation. Corneus journeyed to every major city in Israel 104 00:07:19,840 --> 00:07:24,040 Speaker 2: with a battalion of soldiers. They flooded town squares, marketplaces, 105 00:07:24,080 --> 00:07:25,920 Speaker 2: and city gates with Caesar's demands. 106 00:07:26,840 --> 00:07:31,440 Speaker 3: He by order of Caesar Augustus, all men in their 107 00:07:31,520 --> 00:07:34,320 Speaker 3: families are to be registered for a sensus in the 108 00:07:34,360 --> 00:07:38,679 Speaker 3: city of their family lineage. Failure to register will result 109 00:07:38,760 --> 00:07:42,200 Speaker 3: in punishment. This is the will of Rome. 110 00:07:43,040 --> 00:07:46,880 Speaker 2: His voice, steely and unemotional, echoed through the streets and alleys, 111 00:07:47,600 --> 00:07:49,960 Speaker 2: leaving a chill in the hearts of those who heard it. 112 00:07:50,480 --> 00:07:54,120 Speaker 2: His soldiers nailed the decree onto the doorpost of every home. 113 00:07:54,600 --> 00:07:58,520 Speaker 2: Corneus's voice shouted through the city streets of Nazareth, where 114 00:07:58,600 --> 00:08:02,120 Speaker 2: Joseph was buying supplies for his workshop. The proclamation threw 115 00:08:02,200 --> 00:08:05,320 Speaker 2: him into a storm of uncertainty and worry. The house 116 00:08:05,360 --> 00:08:09,760 Speaker 2: of David. Joseph's lineage was traced back to Bethlehem. Joseph 117 00:08:09,880 --> 00:08:11,640 Speaker 2: approached one of the Roman soldiers. 118 00:08:12,400 --> 00:08:16,600 Speaker 4: Sir, my wife is nearly nine months pregnant. She can't 119 00:08:16,680 --> 00:08:19,040 Speaker 4: make the journey to Bethlehem in her condition. 120 00:08:19,680 --> 00:08:24,600 Speaker 2: She'll the soldier shouted, shoving Joseph to the ground. It's 121 00:08:24,680 --> 00:08:27,800 Speaker 2: command is from Caesar himself. If you fail to obey, 122 00:08:28,160 --> 00:08:31,360 Speaker 2: you will face the rod of Perneus. Joseph looked up 123 00:08:31,400 --> 00:08:34,400 Speaker 2: at the soldier and then at Charineus on his dark horse. 124 00:08:35,000 --> 00:08:38,640 Speaker 2: Joseph clenched his fist and looked away. He knew better 125 00:08:38,679 --> 00:08:41,559 Speaker 2: than to pick a fight, especially when Mary was depending 126 00:08:41,640 --> 00:08:45,160 Speaker 2: on him. The soldier spat at Joseph's feet and walked away. 127 00:08:45,679 --> 00:08:48,240 Speaker 2: Joseph picked up his tools and went back home. He 128 00:08:48,320 --> 00:08:51,679 Speaker 2: walked the dusty path to their humble home, wondering how 129 00:08:51,720 --> 00:08:54,480 Speaker 2: he would afford the journey to Bethlehem. He entered through 130 00:08:54,480 --> 00:08:58,240 Speaker 2: the door slowly. Mary was inside, weaving together blankets for 131 00:08:58,320 --> 00:09:03,080 Speaker 2: Jesus and humming lullabies. Her gentle and quiet grace enraptured Joseph. 132 00:09:03,520 --> 00:09:05,800 Speaker 2: His heart ached that he had to uproot her from 133 00:09:05,800 --> 00:09:09,960 Speaker 2: the comfort of their home, Mary, he said gently. He 134 00:09:10,040 --> 00:09:12,240 Speaker 2: knelt down beside her and held her hand. 135 00:09:12,760 --> 00:09:15,920 Speaker 4: A decree has come from Cayarinius. We have to depart 136 00:09:15,960 --> 00:09:19,640 Speaker 4: from here to Bethlehem for a census. I don't know 137 00:09:19,679 --> 00:09:22,600 Speaker 4: why this has come now, but I swear I will 138 00:09:22,640 --> 00:09:25,600 Speaker 4: protect you and the child. We will find a way 139 00:09:25,640 --> 00:09:26,600 Speaker 4: to get there safely. 140 00:09:27,000 --> 00:09:29,520 Speaker 2: Mary's eyes were fogged with fear and anxiety. 141 00:09:30,360 --> 00:09:34,480 Speaker 1: How Joseph, at best, it's a two week journey, and 142 00:09:34,600 --> 00:09:36,640 Speaker 1: all the carts for merchants will be used up. 143 00:09:37,280 --> 00:09:41,160 Speaker 2: Mary was rightfully concerned. The journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem 144 00:09:41,280 --> 00:09:44,719 Speaker 2: was not a straightforward journey. There were vast valleys and 145 00:09:44,840 --> 00:09:48,480 Speaker 2: hills to pass. Additionally, the frenzy of the census would 146 00:09:48,520 --> 00:09:54,199 Speaker 2: be in banded stalking lone travelers. Joseph felt helpless. They 147 00:09:54,240 --> 00:09:56,280 Speaker 2: didn't have enough money to pay for a wagon to 148 00:09:56,320 --> 00:09:58,640 Speaker 2: taxi them, nor did they have a donkey for Mary 149 00:09:58,679 --> 00:10:01,760 Speaker 2: to ride on. Such things were out of reach for 150 00:10:01,800 --> 00:10:05,960 Speaker 2: a humble craftsman like Joseph. He didn't know how to proceed. 151 00:10:06,720 --> 00:10:10,080 Speaker 2: Mary held Joseph's face and pressed her forehead against his. 152 00:10:10,679 --> 00:10:13,200 Speaker 2: They closed their eyes and shared a somber moment of 153 00:10:13,240 --> 00:10:17,000 Speaker 2: love and prayer. Joseph stood up and wiped a tear 154 00:10:17,040 --> 00:10:17,760 Speaker 2: from his eye. 155 00:10:18,400 --> 00:10:21,000 Speaker 4: I'll be back. I have to do something. 156 00:10:21,840 --> 00:10:25,400 Speaker 2: Joseph grabbed his tools and left. He rounded the alley 157 00:10:25,400 --> 00:10:28,080 Speaker 2: beside his home down to the market. There was no 158 00:10:28,200 --> 00:10:30,840 Speaker 2: way Mary could endure the road to Bethlehem and her condition. 159 00:10:31,480 --> 00:10:33,880 Speaker 2: If Joseph was going to keep her safe, he needed 160 00:10:33,880 --> 00:10:36,400 Speaker 2: to provide her with a donkey to ride on. The 161 00:10:36,480 --> 00:10:41,960 Speaker 2: marketplace was chaotic with people desperately haggling for supplies. Many 162 00:10:41,960 --> 00:10:45,440 Speaker 2: people had journeys to plan for. Joseph knocked on the 163 00:10:45,440 --> 00:10:48,520 Speaker 2: door of the blacksmith, who was a large and surly man, 164 00:10:48,920 --> 00:10:51,880 Speaker 2: uninterested in people and more interested in things. 165 00:10:52,760 --> 00:10:54,520 Speaker 3: Lord Joseph, my boy. 166 00:10:54,760 --> 00:10:56,240 Speaker 2: He said, with a raspy voice. 167 00:10:56,800 --> 00:10:59,920 Speaker 3: If you are here to ask for another discount on dear, 168 00:11:00,679 --> 00:11:02,800 Speaker 3: I'm afraid you're out of luck. 169 00:11:03,400 --> 00:11:06,480 Speaker 2: Joseph placed his large leather bag of tools on the table. 170 00:11:07,040 --> 00:11:10,199 Speaker 2: I am here to sew you my tools. The blacksmith's 171 00:11:10,240 --> 00:11:13,840 Speaker 2: eyes widen. A craftsman like Joseph was only as valuable 172 00:11:13,840 --> 00:11:15,040 Speaker 2: as the tools he used. 173 00:11:15,760 --> 00:11:17,560 Speaker 3: What is the meaning of. 174 00:11:17,440 --> 00:11:18,920 Speaker 1: This, he asked. 175 00:11:19,400 --> 00:11:22,320 Speaker 2: Joseph ignored the question, holding back any cues that he 176 00:11:22,400 --> 00:11:25,280 Speaker 2: was greatly distressed at the thought of selling his livelihood. 177 00:11:25,760 --> 00:11:26,960 Speaker 4: How much will you give me? 178 00:11:27,480 --> 00:11:30,400 Speaker 2: The blacksmith examined the tools, laying each out on the 179 00:11:30,440 --> 00:11:32,920 Speaker 2: table next to each other. He crossed his arms and 180 00:11:32,960 --> 00:11:33,840 Speaker 2: stroked his beard. 181 00:11:34,520 --> 00:11:40,319 Speaker 3: Hmmm, I could use many of these and sell the rest. 182 00:11:40,760 --> 00:11:43,920 Speaker 3: I will give you two hundred denari for it all 183 00:11:44,720 --> 00:11:47,319 Speaker 3: four hundred if you do some work for me after 184 00:11:47,360 --> 00:11:48,040 Speaker 3: the census. 185 00:11:49,200 --> 00:11:53,040 Speaker 2: You have a deal, Joseph said. The tools shook on it, 186 00:11:53,240 --> 00:11:55,480 Speaker 2: and Joseph was given the money he and Mary would 187 00:11:55,520 --> 00:11:58,040 Speaker 2: need for the journey. He took the denara and headed 188 00:11:58,080 --> 00:12:01,880 Speaker 2: straight for the city stables. He brought a donkey saddled 189 00:12:01,920 --> 00:12:04,480 Speaker 2: and packs filled with enough food for a two week journey. 190 00:12:04,760 --> 00:12:07,640 Speaker 2: He also purchased a dagger to strap to his side. 191 00:12:08,040 --> 00:12:11,720 Speaker 2: Joseph sacrificed his livelihood to keep his wife safe. Much 192 00:12:11,800 --> 00:12:14,080 Speaker 2: would be required of him for the journey ahead, but 193 00:12:14,160 --> 00:12:16,719 Speaker 2: he knew that God would protect them. 194 00:12:17,480 --> 00:12:21,040 Speaker 5: Imagine setting forth on an eighty to ninety mile journey 195 00:12:21,160 --> 00:12:24,560 Speaker 5: on rugged terrain with Mary in the advanced stages of 196 00:12:24,559 --> 00:12:28,600 Speaker 5: her pregnancy. The trek from Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem 197 00:12:28,640 --> 00:12:32,960 Speaker 5: in Judea was neither short nor easy. It would have 198 00:12:33,000 --> 00:12:38,520 Speaker 5: demanded resilience, stamina, and a deep commitment. The concerns of 199 00:12:38,559 --> 00:12:41,920 Speaker 5: an expectant mother, the potential dangers of the journey, and 200 00:12:42,000 --> 00:12:45,400 Speaker 5: the uncertainties awaiting them in Bethlehem would have weighed heavily 201 00:12:45,440 --> 00:12:49,839 Speaker 5: on their minds. Joseph's role as Mary's protector, guide and 202 00:12:49,880 --> 00:12:54,480 Speaker 5: support cannot be understated. The sacrifice he made to ensure 203 00:12:54,520 --> 00:12:58,320 Speaker 5: Mary's safety was monumental, but he did so with the 204 00:12:58,360 --> 00:13:00,520 Speaker 5: knowledge that there was more to be gained in his 205 00:13:00,600 --> 00:13:04,839 Speaker 5: sacrifice then lost. That's an encouragement for all of us. 206 00:13:05,720 --> 00:13:08,480 Speaker 5: What we give up in pursuit of Christ pales in 207 00:13:08,520 --> 00:13:11,800 Speaker 5: comparison to what we gain. In the next few episodes, 208 00:13:12,000 --> 00:13:15,880 Speaker 5: we'll get to see Joseph and Mary's unwavering commitment to God. 209 00:13:16,920 --> 00:13:19,720 Speaker 5: Their dedication to each other and to the Lord is 210 00:13:19,760 --> 00:13:23,000 Speaker 5: a testament to their faith and obedience to God's call. 211 00:13:25,600 --> 00:13:28,920 Speaker 5: The reason for their journey, a decree from Caesar Augustus 212 00:13:28,960 --> 00:13:32,720 Speaker 5: for a census, speaks to the geopolitical realities of the time. 213 00:13:33,679 --> 00:13:36,920 Speaker 5: On the surface, this seems like a mere administrative move 214 00:13:37,040 --> 00:13:41,400 Speaker 5: by a vast empire, but in the grand tapestry of 215 00:13:41,440 --> 00:13:44,720 Speaker 5: God's design, it was a pivotal move to ensure the 216 00:13:44,800 --> 00:13:49,600 Speaker 5: fulfillment of prophecy that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. 217 00:13:50,280 --> 00:13:56,520 Speaker 5: Look at Micah chapter five, verse two. This use of 218 00:13:56,559 --> 00:13:59,840 Speaker 5: a geopolitical event is a poignant reminder that God's ford 219 00:14:00,000 --> 00:14:03,840 Speaker 5: emp plan is not isolated from the realities of our world. 220 00:14:04,880 --> 00:14:09,359 Speaker 5: He uses emperors, decrees, and worldly events to achieve his purposes. 221 00:14:10,240 --> 00:14:13,800 Speaker 5: This gives us hope, reminding us that no matter how 222 00:14:13,920 --> 00:14:18,520 Speaker 5: challenging or chaotic our world might seem, God is always 223 00:14:18,559 --> 00:14:25,080 Speaker 5: at work bringing his plans to fruition. As we reflect 224 00:14:25,120 --> 00:14:28,560 Speaker 5: on Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem, let's consider the 225 00:14:28,640 --> 00:14:32,480 Speaker 5: sacrifices we're all called to make. Jesus says in Matthew 226 00:14:32,520 --> 00:14:36,200 Speaker 5: chapter sixteen. If anyone desires to come after me, let 227 00:14:36,320 --> 00:14:39,800 Speaker 5: him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 228 00:14:41,320 --> 00:14:43,840 Speaker 5: The path for Mary and Joseph is only going to 229 00:14:43,880 --> 00:14:48,800 Speaker 5: get more difficult. But just because things are hard doesn't 230 00:14:48,840 --> 00:14:53,040 Speaker 5: mean they aren't good. The Cross of Jesus showed us 231 00:14:53,080 --> 00:14:56,280 Speaker 5: that some of the greatest triumphs emerge from the ashes 232 00:14:56,320 --> 00:15:01,080 Speaker 5: of our greatest trials. When you face difficult think less 233 00:15:01,080 --> 00:15:04,280 Speaker 5: about how to minimize your suffering and think more about 234 00:15:04,320 --> 00:15:07,080 Speaker 5: maximizing the meaning you can glean in the midst of it. 235 00:15:08,840 --> 00:15:11,920 Speaker 5: This Christmas, let the Story of Luke chapter two, verses 236 00:15:11,960 --> 00:15:15,320 Speaker 5: one through five inspire us to have faith in the journey, 237 00:15:15,640 --> 00:15:20,960 Speaker 5: however difficult. Let us be reminded that God often uses 238 00:15:21,000 --> 00:15:24,760 Speaker 5: the intricate complexities of our world to unfold his divine 239 00:15:24,880 --> 00:15:28,680 Speaker 5: narrative in the midst of our challenges. May we find 240 00:15:28,840 --> 00:15:32,640 Speaker 5: comfort in knowing that God is orchestrating a redemption story, 241 00:15:33,760 --> 00:15:36,920 Speaker 5: not just on a global scale, but in our personal 242 00:15:36,960 --> 00:15:41,680 Speaker 5: lives as well. Our next few episodes will highlight the 243 00:15:41,760 --> 00:15:45,560 Speaker 5: intense difficulty Mary and Joseph faced on the journey to Bethlehem. 244 00:15:46,000 --> 00:15:50,120 Speaker 5: But even robbers, romans and raging waters can't forward the 245 00:15:50,200 --> 00:15:54,280 Speaker 5: plans of God. Thank you for listening to today's Bible 246 00:15:54,280 --> 00:15:57,680 Speaker 5: in a Year podcast. I'm Jack Graham from Dallas, Texas, 247 00:15:57,680 --> 00:15:59,800 Speaker 5: and before we go, I want you to know that 248 00:15:59,840 --> 00:16:02,840 Speaker 5: I would love to send you my daily devotional to 249 00:16:02,920 --> 00:16:07,200 Speaker 5: give you fresh encouragement every single day, So visit Jack 250 00:16:07,240 --> 00:16:11,160 Speaker 5: Graham dot org to sign up for your PowerPoint Today devotional. 251 00:16:11,440 --> 00:16:13,480 Speaker 5: That's Jack Graham dot org.