lay dead at the age of thirty-three. Hellenism would survive its militant advocate.
“Hellenism played to mixed reviews. Some saw it as a serious threat to prized religious traditions, their identity as Jews being at stake. Others welcomed Hellenism as a liberating force from ethnic constraints, so much so that their tradition proved an embarrassment.”30 Antiochus IV brought matters to a head. In a dramatic encounter outside Alexandria, a Roman envoy demanded that he cut short his invasion of Egypt. With visions of grandeur shattered and prestige diminished, he bitterly retreated. Along the way, he decided to take out his frustration on Jerusalem, and solidity his southern flank. His mandate promulgating Hellenism and prohibiting Judaism was enforced with utmost severity.
This gave rise to the Maccabean revolt. Increasing numbers of Jews joined in the insurrection. They were eventually able to recover Jerusalem. The altar dedicated to Jupiter was removed and replaced by an alternative devoted to the worship of Yahweh. Subsequently freed from taxation, it was considered tantamount to independence.
The religious idealism of the Maccabees began to decline. When news of the deteriorating conditions reached Rome, Pompey decided to intervene. As expressed by Josephus, Judea was made tributary to the Romans.
Herod the Great was the son of the Idumean governor Antipater. He was appointed tetrarch of Judea in 41 BC. His building projects were legion. He zealously protected himself against any usurper. His atrocities are well documented. The state was set for the advent of Jesus as the promised Messiah.
Once when Zechariah’s division was serving at the temple, an angel appeared to him. “Do not be afraid, your prayer has been heard,” the visitor reassured him. “Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (Luke 1:13, 17). Bringing to mind the prophecy of Malachi in this regard (cf. 4:5–6).
God also sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, to a virgin pledged to be married. “Greetings, you who are highly favored!” the visitor said to her (Luke 1:28). Mary was understandably troubled by his words, and wondered as to their meaning. “You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,” Gabriel continued. “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”
“I am the Lord’s servant, Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” As an expression of obedient trust.
Now when John was birthed, Zechariah rejoiced: “And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God.” The child matured, and became strong in spirit. He lived in the wilderness prior to his public ministry. Implying that God was preparing for the demanding task that lay ahead.
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. So Joseph went up from Nazareth to Bethlehem, because he belonged to the line of David. Mary accompanied him, while expecting the birth of her child. While they were there, she gave birth to her firstborn. She wrapped him in cloths, and they placed him in a manger—since there was not room for them in the inn. This was likely an enclosure for the animals, adjacent to the family accommodations.
There were at the time shepherds nearby keeping watch over their flocks at night, when an angel appeared to them. “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you,” he heartily announced; “he is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11)
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared along with the angel, praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” Having delivered their glad tidings, they retreated to their heavenly abode. Leaving the shepherds to see for themselves. After which, they “returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”
When the time of their purification was completed, Joseph and Mary took Jesus to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, and to sacrifice according to the Mosaic instructions. In this instance, indicative of their modest means. There they encountered Simeon, “who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.” It had been revealed to him that he would not die before seeing the Messiah. Taking Jesus in his arms, he allowed: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”
There was also a prophetess named Anna. She was widowed, advanced in years, and worshiped in the temple day and night. “Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.” Recalling the sage advice, “Good news should be shared.”
When Joseph and Mary had done everything required of them, they returned to Nazareth. “And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.” In every way, setting an enviable example.
When Jesus was twelve years of age, the family went up to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. After the festival was over, his parents were returning when they realized that Jesus was not with family or friends. Upon returning to Jerusalem, they discovered him in the temple courts, “sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.” Persons were amazed at his understanding.
“Son, why have you treated us like this?” his mother inquired. “Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” She appears perplexed.
“Why were you searching for me?” Jesus asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” He seems similarly perplexed. “The he went down to Nazareth with them, and was obedient to them.” Thus assuring us that it was his intent to honor his parents, and “Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” Thus concludes the brief account of his youth.
Fast forward. John “went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (Luke 3:3). Graphically characterized as the drama of decision. Jesus also came to be baptized. When John questioned whether this was appropriate, Jesus insisted—apparently as a means of identifying with those he had come to redeem.
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, was led by the Spirit into the wilderness. There to be severely tempted by the devil. Whose intent was to compromise his redemptive mission, but without success. After which, the devil departed “until an opportune time” (Luke 4:13). Perhaps when weary from well doing, or experiencing intense opposition.
Jesus then returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, news about him spread throughout the countryside. He taught in their synagogues, and received their praise. Incidentally, those thought qualified to teach were supposed to be knowledgeable and able to communicate effectively.
He returned to Nazareth, and went to the synagogue—as was his custom. Handed the Isaiah scroll from which to read, he found the place where it was written: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (cf. Isa. 61:1–2). He stopped pointedly short of reference to “the day of vengeance of our God.” It was Jubilee imagery applied to the advent of the Messiah.
