.
● Luke 2:1-5 . . Now it came about in those days that a decree went out from
Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the
first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all were proceeding to
register for the census, everyone to his own city.
. . . And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to
the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and
family of David, in order to register, along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and
was with child.
By then, Mary was really showing because she was in her third trimester and the
baby was full-term. Artists often portray Jesus' mom riding a donkey, but in her
condition, it's far more likely she was transported in a wagon. Artists also typically
depict the couple traveling alone to Bethlehem, which is impressionistic rather than
realistic. They were far more likely each with their own families because at that
time, they were not yet married.
Where it says Joseph went to Bethlehem along with Mary doesn't necessarily
indicate they traveled together as a couple. Mary's family was of the house and
lineage of David too, so they were all traveling to Bethlehem for the same reason.
● Luke 2:6-7 . . And it came about that while they were there, the days were
completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her first-born son.
Now, the thing is; Jesus was not only conceived out of wedlock, but he was also
born out of wedlock too because Joseph and Jesus' mom were not yet married
when they traveled to Bethlehem. In point of fact, Matt 1:25 says that Joseph
avoided Mary until after her baby was born.
● Luke 2:21 . .On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was
named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived.
Mary and Joseph were both instructed to give her boy the name Jesus.
● Matt 1:21 . . She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus
● Luke 1:31 . .You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give
him the name Jesus.
People in a small town like Nazareth usually know everybody, and know all about
everybody. So it was probably common knowledge that Joseph was marrying a girl
whose baby was, from all appearances, illegitimate; and there was no plausible way
for Joseph and Mary to prove otherwise. In point of fact, I'd not be surprised that
the rumor mill was confident the baby was Joseph's, especially seeing as how he
stood with its mother for the naming; and the community must have really been
curious why he didn't marry her sooner; which is typical for shotgun weddings.
(The Bible doesn't say whether the couple's parents were humiliated by this
business, but it's likely they were.)
Although some men's paternal feelings are easily roused by any and every child
they meet, there isn't a clue as to Joseph's feelings about Mary's infant seeing as it
wasn't his own, and I can't help but wonder if maybe Joseph was somewhat
grudging about giving it his name-- but of course reluctant or no, he did and so
Solomon became one of Jesus' many grandfathers.
● Matt 1:1-16 . .The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David . . and
to David was born Solomon . . . and to Solomon . . . was born Joseph the husband
of Mary, by whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
The identity of Jesus' biological father was suspicious; but when Joseph stood with
Mary to name her baby, from then on the lad became accepted as Joseph's boy.
● Luke 2:27-28 . . When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what
the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God,
saying . . .
● Luke 2:41 . . Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover.
● Luke 2:48 . . His mother said to Him, "Son, why have you treated us this way?
Behold, your father and I have been anxiously looking for you."
● Matt 13:55 . . Is not this the carpenter's son?
Jesus was ordained of God to inherit David's throne (Luke 1:32). Now the thing is;
David's throne has never been passed down to one of his sons via a mother; it's
always been passed down via the fathers in his line.
For another; the throne has to come down via David's son Solomon (1Kings 1:13,
and 1Chron 22:9-10). Joseph is related to Solomon (Matt 1:6 and Matt 1:16).
Long story short: it was necessary for Joseph to adopt Mary's boy in order to get
the lad into Solomon's genealogy and thus qualify as a rightful heir to the throne
promised him during the angel's visit with his mother. (Luke 1:31-33)
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