In our passage today we have a contradiction of biblical proportions. On the one side we have the most powerful man in the world and the most affluent. Augustus was the richest man in the world. Joseph and Mary must have been some of the poorest people in the world. It is significant that Luke display these two people to us. Both Mary and Augustus were in a difficult position.
If we can start with Augustus, he was seen as the saviour of the world and his reign was the beginning of the age of peace for the whole world. The only problem was. he had no son,
his only hope was a grandson or son in law to take his place. He had a nephew called Marcellus. Julia his only daughter was given to Marcellus in marriage at the age of sixteen. He unfortunately died without children. Augustus then decided that Julia should marry Agrippa, his secretary and confidant in the empire. Julia was about 20 years of age when she married this high official. The couple had three children, unfortunately he died after 12 years marriage. Augustus' grandsons were only about ten years old when this happened and he needed somebody to care for them. He had two stepsons, the children of his third wife. He made Drusus and Tiberias mentors for the grand sons. Drusus died and only Tiberias was left. Augustus commanded Tiberius to divorce his wife and leave a happy marriage in order to marry Julia. This unity was a total disaster. Tiberias became depressed and disillusioned after Julia had a string of affairs and on top of that his father-in-law and stepfather favoured the two grandsons Gaius and Lucius instead of him. Because of strict moral rules Augustus had to banish his own daughter and granddaughter (who followed her mother's immoral ways.)
On that wonderful Xmas night in 6 BC Augustus the saviour of the world was a lonely man! he had nobody in his big palace, no family, no hope no joy. Shortly after that his two grandsons died as well. Only Tiberius was left, he was in charge when Jesus was crucified. Augustus descendants were all disasters and ended in Nero who was one of the most horrible leaders you can imagine.
Although he had substantial wealth and land there was nobody to look after it after his death. Augustus had a terrible family life. His wife died early in his career and he was left with Julia his only daughter. He had no son and consequently no heir that could take his place.
Joseph and Mary were at their ancestral village where they owned land, but nobody wanted to take them in. No family, no nieces, uncle's, aunt's, or cousins. Nobody in their ancestral village could spare a room for the young couple. They ended up in some stable or barn on the outskirts of Bethlehem. They carved rooms into the rocks and used natural caves in the area to look after their flock. Mary and Joseph probably ended up in one of these. We have no idea why they could not find a room with some relative or friend. It was a lonely evening for Mary and Joseph. In a sense in their solitude and loneliness they were equal to Augustus. In our sinfulness and loneliness, we are all equal.
Many powerful people during all the ages were lonely and lost souls. Without God we are lost and pitiful. Mary and Joseph were lonely, but they were secure in the love of God.
Jesus came for all of us because we all need Jesus. In Jesus we are secure and saved. The richest man in the world was a failed human being. He could not establish a happy family. Many of the most successful people in the world are failed human beings because they do not have Jesus.
Jesus came for all of us. Only in him can we find hope, happiness, and security. Remember during this Christmas that we are only secure and whole in Jesus our Lord there is no other way.
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