July 31, 2026 - Good Morning! It’s Friday, July 31.
We say goodbye today to a month named after Julius Caesar, and stand on the threshold of a month named for another Caesar called Augustus. The Roman Emperors of old are still very present in our modern culture. And they were certainly very present in the time of the New Testament. Julius Caesar reigned about 40 years before Bethlehem, during the period between the Testaments. But we find the name Augustus in the second chapter of the gospel of Luke.
The son of Augustus was named Tiberius and we find his name in the third chapter of Luke, as the scene is set for the story of John the Baptist. Tiberius was the emperor during the public ministry of Christ. The notorious Roman leader Caligula was on the throne as the Christian church was just beginning. The Bible doesn’t name him, but his presence was surely felt by the early believers. In Acts 18 we read about Claudius Caesar who banished the Jews from Rome, causing the couple Aquila and Priscilla to flee to Corinth, where they met the Apostle Paul and joined his missionary team.
Nero is one of the most well known of the Roman Caesars, but he’s not mentioned by name in the Word. History tells us, though, that he aggressively persecuted Christians. Paul alludes to this in his letters to Timothy, as does Peter in his epistles. And it was Nero who was emperor when Peter and Paul were brought to Rome and martyred for their faith. And finally, when the Apostle John wrote Revelation, Domitian was the leader of the empire, and he demanded that his people worship him as a god. Bible scholars who believe that John wasn’t writing about the end times, but, rather, was speaking in symbolism about the persecution of the Church in his time, have theorized that the “beast” of Revelation could very well have been a coded reference to Domitian.
The life of Jesus and the story of the Early Church are intricately interwoven with the history of Rome and its emperors, the Caesars. As we’re about to begin the hottest summer month, let’s cool down with these classic Christmas verses that feature the famous namesake of August.
“And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her first born son... unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”
Hallelujah!
Meet you back here on Monday,
David
cindertex50@yahoo.com
