By Adam Winn, Ph. D.
Chair and Professor, Department of Biblical and Religious Studies at Samford University
LOOKING FORWARD TO JOY
Luke 2:4–14
Jesus, the Son of God, was born to bring us salvation. (4–7)
Joseph and Mary journeyed from Nazareth to Bethlehem, the latter city being “the city of David” because the great and ideal king of Israel, David, was from Bethlehem. Joseph was a descendant of David, meaning his child would also be David’s descendant.
These statements are closely related to Jewish messianic hope. Living under Roman occupation, the Jews looked to Scriptures that promised a glorious future age, one in which Israel would throw off its oppressors and rule over the nations in a righteous world.
Closely associated with this was the hope of a figure, a Messiah, whom God would use to accomplish this purpose. This figure would be a descendant of David and come from Bethlehem. Thus, this identification of Joseph has significant implications for his soon-to-be-born son, Jesus.
These verses take on even greater meaning when one considers the verses that precede them. This journey to Bethlehem comes because of the Emperor Augustus commanding a census. Augustus was the first emperor of Rome and was remembered as its greatest emperor.
Augustus saved Rome from collapse and ushered in the glorious Pax Romana (Roman Peace). Romans believed his reign was ordained by the gods. He was called the “prince of peace,” “savior of the world,” “lord” and “son of god.” Inscriptions throughout Rome spoke of the “gospel/good news” of Augustus.
Even at the time of Luke, cities in the Roman Empire would rejoice and celebrate the birthday of Augustus.
With this information, we see in these verses that Luke is contrasting two gospels, one of Rome’s ideal ruler and one of Israel’s.
The birth of Jesus is cause for great joy. (8–12)
At the birth of Jesus, an angel announces Jesus’ birth to shepherds. The angel declares he brings “gospel/good news” that will bring about joy for all the people. The reason for this news is the birth of a Savior, born in the city of David, who is both Messiah and Lord.
This announcement proclaims the Jewish hope described above. It is good news indeed!
But if we read this text with first century eyes, we also see Luke challenging the gospel of Rome along with all its claims and promises. Luke proclaims the good news of the birth of God’s Messiah, Jesus, not Augustus. Luke declares Jesus to be both Savior and Lord, not Augustus. All the people will have joy and rejoice because of this birth, not that of Augustus.
To the reader who has eyes to see, Luke is at the very least minimizing the most famous ruler of the Roman world, one still worshipped across the empire, and elevating Jesus to His rightful place over the emperor. Implicit in Luke’s story is a call to hope and rejoice in the true ruler of the world Jesus and not Augustus.
We experience joy because Jesus brought peace to us. (13–14)
This announcement is followed by an eruption of celebration from the angels of heaven. The one angel is joined by a great crowd of angels, giving glory to the God of Israel and declaring his peace on earth. Again, we see the hopes of Israel clash with the hopes of Rome. While Rome promoted the Pax Romana as a gift from the gods, God’s angels declare a greater peace for the earth, one that will be for all of God’s people. It is this peace that brings true joy. This Christmas season, may we, with the angels of heaven, rejoice over the birth of the true king and ruler, who brings peace and joy to the world.
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