Bible Study - Matthew Chapter 1
The Birth of Jesus Christ
from Kaniyamparmabil Achen, the Great Teacher of Malankara
The time of birth is described in Luke 2:1 to 3
“And in those days it occurred, that a decree went forth from Augustus Caesar, that all the people of his dominion should be enrolled” (Luke 2;1)
How did the Roman emperor become the ruler of Palestine?
We have discussed about the Babel exile before. That is from the time of Alexander the Great started the Greek rule. (From BC 333 to 167 BC). Then the Macabians or the Hasmonean dynasty up to BC 63. Maccabean revolt opens way for Jewish independence in Jerusalem and the surrounding area. The revolt is led by Mattathias and his five sons, Judas (Maccabeus), Jonathan, Simon, John and Eleazar. The era of independence runs from about 166-63 BC. At this time Roman general Pompey conquers Jerusalem in BC 63. It was a practice to have a census taken in the Roman rule. Every one had to be enrolled in the city of their tribes. Bethlehem was the city of David. Both Joseph and Mary belong to David’s tribe. So they traveled from north, Nazareth of Galilee in the North to Bethlehem in Judea, which was 85 miles south of Nazareth, through Samaria.
Luke ( 2:7)
“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in bandages, and laid him in the stall; for they had no place where they could lodge”
Because there was no place in the lodge they had move to a stall. Thus the poor stall received the great honor that should have been with some lodge. Adam sinned and lost his Godly character and fell into animal like character. Here now the Lord stays with animals to amend for that fall.
Luke (2:8-9)
“And there were shepherds in that region, who abode there and kept watch of their flocks by night.”
The shepherds do not own the sheep’s. But their master does. But they are very vigilant about the flocks. That means they were very responsible to their master and committed to their flocks. Thus for people who work according to the call of the Lord, will get heavenly glory, voice and blessings. The church fathers teach us that The Angel who delivered the message was Gabriel. .
It was the shepherds who heard the birth of Lord lamp. They were told, “Fear not” as the first message. So we can see that the Lord’s birth was for delivering from the fear as well. The declaration that “great joy, which will be to all the world” is very hearty about an incident that happened in one remote corner of the world.
(Luke 2:10)
“For there is born to you this day a deliverer, who is the Lord Messiah, in the city of David”. These words contain all hope for the world. 1) The one who is born is the Lord Messiah that came from House of the David 2) He is a king who is the deliverer (Mathew 2:2: Luke 1:32)
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