ADVENT FOR ADULTS #2
December 2nd… 23 NIGHTS TIL CHRISTMAS
CAESAR AUGUSTUS
“And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.” Luke 2:1
“The Roman motto “SPQR” stands for Senatus Populusque Romanus, or Senate & People of Rome. Rome was a Republic from 509 until 27 BC, when it became an Empire under Julius Caesar’s grandnephew, Augustus Caesar. The word “republic” is from the Latin phrase “res publica,” which means “a public affair.” A republic is a form of government where representatives are trusted by the people to protect their interests, while the people are busy supporting their families.
But the Republican form of government of Rome was finally overturned by Julius Caesar. In 49 BC, after being victorious in Gaul, Julius Caesar disobeyed the Senate’s order to disband his legions before returning to Rome. Caesar crossed the Rubicon River with his legions, and headed toward Rome, where the Roman General Pompey resisted him. But Pompey lost to Caesar at the Battle of Pharsalus and fled to Egypt, where he was assassinated. Now, instead of 600 Senators deciding the fate of Rome, there was only one. Julius Caesar had the Senate declare him dictator for life in 44 BC, then deify him, (making himself a god)— he even named a month of the year after himself, “July”. When the Roman Senate realized Julius Caesar was becoming too powerful, they plotted to kill him. On the Ides of March (March15), 44 BC. a contingent of Roman senators assassinated Julius Caesar — but ironically, in the end the Senate accepted the dictatorship of his grandnephew and stepson Augustus (27 BC).”[1]
It was this Augustus Caesar (who also named a month after himself, “August”) who is mentioned here at the beginning of Luke Chapter 2, our main passage for these ADVENT for ADULTS essays.
So what is the lesson to be learned here?
William J. Federer, whose amazing book Change to Chains is subtitled “The 6000 Year Quest for Control” summarizes one of the key lessons of history with these remarks: “Throughout history, the selfish ambition of human nature [has always] concentrated power in the hands of a king.” His point? That ultimately, when men rule men, the tendency to selfishness must be controlled by a system of checks and balances, otherwise kings become dictators. The government of Rome was a republic, in which representatives of the people held each other accountable. Our Canadian form of government is much the same— we are a parliamentary democracy in which the Prime Minister is held in check by Parliament. The American president is held in check by Congress. Our Western systems of government are designed to prevent dictatorship.
But human systems always tend to decay. The selfish nature of human beings tends to corrupt leadership and ultimately governments fall, as do countries and empires.
That’s what makes this passage in Luke so wonderful. Here we are told that in the days of Caesar Augustus, an Emperor, a dictator, (who was a mild dictator compared to the emperors who would follow him, monsters like Caligula and Nero) — a child was born who would be King.
This baby boy whom we Christians remember at Christmas will one day be King of Kings and Lord of Lords. One day he will rule and reign in a Kingdom that will never end. Isaiah says it all:
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this” [Isaiah 9:6,7]
And why is this such a cause for rejoicing? After all, we have said that “kings” are prone to become dictators. How are we to know that this Jesus will not become a dictator? Because of a trait by which Jesus Christ is distinquished above all other men that were ever born or kings that have ever ruled— absolute unselfishness. Which of course we will speak more about later.
NEXT: HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
GO TO START: ADVENT FOR ADULTS #1
[1] William. J. Federer, Change To Chains, The 6000 Year Quest for Control/ Volume I – Rise of the Republic © 2011, Pg 180-187 For more Info contact: Amerisearch, Inc.P.O. Box 20163 St. Louis, MO 63123 [Phone: 314 487-4395, 314 487-4489 Fax: 1-888-USA-WORD/www.amerisearch.net wjfederer@gmail.com