Daily Devotion

 

 

To Luke, the emergence of John the Baptist was one of the hinges on which history turned, so much so is that the case he dates it in is given in no fewer than six different ways. (1^st) Tiberius was the successor of Augustus, therefore, the second of the Roman emperors. As early as A.D. 11 or 12, Augustus had made him his colleague in the imperial power, but he did not become sole emperor until A.D. 14. The fifteenth year of his reign would be A.D. 28-29. Luke begins by setting the emergence of John against a world background, the background of the Roman Empire. (2^nd) The next three dates Luke gives are connected with the political organization of Palestine.

 

The title "Tetrarch" literally means governor of a fourth part. In such provinces as Thessaly and Galatia, which were divided into four sections or areas, the governor of each part was known as a Tetrarch; but later the word widened its meaning and it came to mean the governor of any part. Herod the Great died in 4 B.C. after the reign of about 40 years. He divided his kingdom between three of his sons and in the first instance, the Romans approved the decision. (a) to Heron Antipas were left Galilee and Peraea. He reigned from 4 B.C. to A.D. 39 and therefore Jesus' life was lived in Herod's reign and very largely in Herod's dominions in Galilee. (b) to Herod Philip were left Ituraea and Trachonitis. He reigned from 4 B.C. to A.D. 33. Caesarea Philippi was called after him and was actually built by him. (c) To Archelaus were left Judaea, Samaria, and Edom. He was a thoroughly bad king. The Jews in the end actually petitioned Rome for his removal. Rome, impatient of the continual troubles in Judaea, installed a procurator or governor. That is how the Romans came directly to rule Judaea. At this time Pilate, who was in power from A.D. 25 until A.D. 37, was the Roman governor.

 

So, in this one sentence, Luke gives us a panoramic view of the division of the kingdom which had once belonged to Herod the Great.

Life Application: History tells us stories of many people who would rather they were not told. What is the story of your life really about?

Praise/Prayer: Dear Father, history has been filled with so many people who were anything, but a wonderful, helpful ruler. I pray for President Trump today because I want to see America become a place where Your power, and presence is in charge. We have watched recently as a number of men who were in leadership positions be removed, because of sinful lives. God, please raise up Godly men and women who can move into leadership authority/power. America needs to be a Godly country. Amen!