Reading for September 26th

Read Luke 2.1-20. In 2.1-20: The Birth of Jesus. In verse 1: Luke projects Jesus' birth against the background of the whole Roman order, all the world, while Matthew draws attention to King Herod's reign in Judea (Mt 2). Augustus was an honorary name of Gaius Octavius, who ruled as emperor from 31 BCE. to 14 CE. In verse 2: This specific registration has proved these titles are as thoroughly Jewish and scripture hard to establish historically (see Acts 5.37), but the Romans regularly used this means to establish control of taxes, lands, and military conscription. In verse 4: Bethlehem was also King David's birthplace (1 Sam 16.1), and his origins tending sheep were legendary (Ps 78.70-71). In verse 8: The Roman poet Virgil also proposed that the ideal ruler would be a shepherd of the people, born among simple shepherds (Aeneid 6.79 and the fourth Eclogue). In verse 9: The glory of the Lord is the blazing light of divine presence (Ex 16.10; 24.17). In verse 11: Caesar Augustus was also acclaimed as Savior and Lord, and Christians would later face consequences for confessing "Jesus is Lord." But in this context these titles are as thoroughly Jewish and Scriptural as the title messiah or "anointed one" is for Israel's king. In verses 12-20: Without asking for confirmation (see Zechariah in 1.18), the shepherds are given the sign of the child in the manger, and they are exemplary in telling what they had heard and see (Acts 1.1-5). Comments or Questions..