I am thinking about the magi today on their feast. I love these wise men from the East! There is so much mystery wrapped up in their worship that they are worthy of an entire book. If I were to write such a book, one chapter should be entitled, “The Census” for it plays an important part in their story. This short sentence from the gospel of Luke has been rolling around my head - “Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth.”
All of the Roman world was in motion when the magi set forth on their journey. They did not know about the commotion when they set out, for they were not under Caesar’s rule. Would they have been worried, I wonder, to know that the King they sought would not be “home” when they arrived? I suppose not, for they assumed that all Israel would be rejoicing at the wonder so clearly marked in the sky. Surely they would be celebrating.
What fills me with awe about the census are the powers at work behind the scene. Caesar thought the census was his idea. He was flexing his muscle, puffing up his ego. With one word from his mouth, all the citizens of his realm were up-ended. Both the mighty and the humble were forced drop their work and enroll with the officials in their ancestral home. For most, this was a mere hassle - a few hours of wasted time. For others, like Mary and Joseph, the decree was a true hardship. For a few, the trip was most certainly disastrous. Robbers took advantage of vulnerable travelers. Some probably fell ill on the road.
When Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem, the city was buzzing. There was no room for them at the inn.. The crazy part of the story, I believe, is this - they were the true cause of the hubbub! God used Caesar’s ego to move the holy family. The Messiah needed to be born in Bethlehem as a sign that He was David’s heir. He had to be born in Bethlehem, so that the magi would find him there. The whole world was set in motion so that Mary and Joseph would be in Bethlehem at the proper time, yet they themselves did not know it. Mary had no idea that the child she carried was rocking the world before His arrival. I am sure she found the census as inconvenient as everyone else, until the magi arrived with their caravan!
It strikes me that the whole world has been rattled again. This time we are not in motion; rather, the we have been arrested by COVID. Certainly the Enemy has his hand in this disruption, just as Satan worked through Herod long ago. We have lost many of our elders to disease, and a tragic number youth to suicide these past two years. Others are struggling with depression or economic hardship. And yet, I believe, the LORD is in control, bringing all things to their appointed end. Everyday the return of Jesus draws closer. I cannot help but wonder if something essential has been set in place during the pandemic - something like the census of Caesar Augustus?
In times like these, when we suffer with upheaval, we must write the promise of Jeremiah 31 on our hearts. These words were written prophetically to the mothers of Bethlehem who would lose their baby boys in Herod’s rage. They acknowledge the weeping those mothers must suffer, but promise a hope beyond the grave.
This is what the Lord says:
“A voice is heard in Ramah,
Lamenting and bitter weeping.
Rachel is weeping for her children;
She refuses to be comforted for her children,
Because they are no more.”
This is what the Lord says:
“Restrain your voice from weeping
And your eyes from tears;
For your work will be rewarded,” declares the Lord,
“And they will return from the land of the enemy.
There is hope for your future,” declares the Lord,
“And your children will return to their land.
The magi did not know their visit would precipitate such suffering. They did know, however, that the King of the whole world had been born- a King who would rule in justice. He will indeed bring our children back from the land of the enemy. Let us worship Him with the magi!