Luke 2:1-5

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. ² This was the first registration when^a]">[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria. ³ And all went to be registered, each to his own town. ⁴ And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, ⁵ to be registered with Mary, his betrothed,^b]">[b] who was with child.

Luke 2:1-5 presents us with the portrayal of two kings. One was Herod. The other, Jesus. And the two couldn't be more different. History knows Herod to be an insecure man who was constantly paranoid about people trying to usurp his throne. He actually had around 6 members of his family executed because of his suspicions of them. That number includes his wife and a couple of his own sons. That's why Luke tells us that when Jerusalem heard about the birth of a new King, they were troubled. Because they knew well the murderous character of their king. Now contrast that with King Jesus. He came humbly, being born in a manger. And why did He come? Not to conquer by taking lives. No, instead He came to conquer our hearts by laying His own life down.

• How should the character of Jesus lead us to trust Him?

• What are some ways that we can show that we belong to King Jesus?