“In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.”
–Luke 2:1 ESV
Caesar wanted every head accounted for. Just as the shepherds sought to know the whereabouts of every sheep in their flocks. Jesus’ parents, when realizing he was no longer found in their caravan, searched in “great distress” for their lost child, only for their twelve-year old to answer them with a somewhat sassy and rhetorical question (vv48-49).
There is something about being held accountable that burns in our hearts. I have hoped for a long time to have a good friend or mentor to hold me accountable for my actions. Yet, in my own experience, I never had that prayer answered in a way that I expected, until now. But the idea of being held accountable to someone else can sometimes make me feel infuriated.
Yet, this chapter reminds us of something important. God used the authority of Caesar to show the people of the region to whom they must be held accountable. How much more, then, is it that we should be held accountable to God Himself, who is our Creator and Savior. It reminds me that being held accountable is an act of grace on God’s part. Without it, we are prone to wander, like “sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36), like Jesus without his parents, and citizens who must be counted.
This is exactly what Jesus asks of us. He wants us to hold ourselves accountable… for our words, actions, thoughts and feelings. This is not a bad thing. God knows there is a blessing to be received in being held accountable. Even though many do not like to be asked to accept responsibility for their lives, this is how we become closer to our God. These verses remind us God is our ultimate King, our great Shepherd, our Father. He holds us in the light of accountability because He loves us. An unloved child is one who is undisciplined or worse yet, ignored. May we never be undisciplined or unloved children, as long as we have the One who will always be with us, for our sake…and count us one by one, in His presence.
Prayer: Lord, I love that you care for us so much, that if even one of us gets lost, you come looking for us (see Luke 15:4-5, 8-10). I am thankful You know us so well that You have even numbered the hairs on our heads (Luke 12:7). I praise You for Your overwhelming love for us, and that You desire to shower us with Your attention and affection. I pray that we would have a humble heart before You, and submit all that we are and all that we have to You. Father, increase our trust in You and You alone. Lord, put our hearts at rest, allowing us the faith to believe in Your master plan. No matter what situation we find ourselves in, I pray that we would always remember that You have our best interests at heart, and may you hold us accountable for everything that we think, say or do, to Your glory. Your will be done, Lord. Amen.
