The Birthplace of the Savior
Throughout history, there have been a number of amazing people who been born in some ordinary places. In God’s economy, so often the ordinary becomes the extraordinary. He loves to show His greatness through humble beginnings. Nevertheless, amidst the many people who have arisen because God has built them up, there remains One Who stands above them all. This One is Jesus Christ, and in Him, Bethlehem found its greatest Child.
The significance of Bethlehem
Jesus being born in Bethlehem was no small matter. Neither does Luke make it a minor point in the life of Jesus. If someone was to start reading the book of Luke and start at chapter one, by the time they get to Luke 2:11, it is easy to overlook all the details of the preparation that was taking place for Jesus to be born in Bethlehem. Jesus had to be born in Bethlehem; there was no other option for the birthplace of the Savior.
Luke chronicles the events well. In Luke 1:27, he tells of Mary who was betrothed to Joseph and sees fit to highlight the fact that this man was from the house and lineage of David. Then Luke takes his readers over to Luke 1:32-33 and says that this Jesus that was to be born will be given the throne of David. He even records of the way that the angel who appeared to Mary told her that her soon-to-be Son would have David as His father. This Son Who would be born would have a kingdom that would last forever. Then Luke takes his readers over to the census that had been mandated and the need for Mary and Joseph to travel to Bethlehem in order for them to appear in the birthplace of David (1 Sam. 16:4) to be accounted for.
Luke prepares his Gospel wisely and takes his readers through a series of events that bring about the fulfillment of a prophecy (Micah 5:2) and the fulfillment of a requirement (2 Sam. 7:16).
Fulfillment of prophecy
Numerous prophecies can be seen that attest to Jesus as the Messiah. One of those has special significance on Christmas morning. Micah 5:2 says that a ruler will come. This ruler will come out of the tribe of Judah. However, not just that, but this ruler will come out of the city of Bethlehem. This city in the Scripture is spoken of in lowly terms. It is too small to be among the clans of its tribe. No great significance can be seen in Bethlehem apart from it being the birthplace of David, as well as the exact same city in which the greatest king Israel had ever seen was anointed to sit upon the throne. At least, he was the greatest king until Jesus.
This is a unique prophecy and one that deserves special attention. As people continue to come against Jesus and speak out against His Word, prophecy continues to be a great source of faith for the believer. For any one man to accomplish all the prophecies in the Bible by simply trying to do them because he knew them would already seem to be an impossibility.
For example, if Jesus knew that He would need to go into Jerusalem riding on the back of a donkey because it says this in Genesis 49:11, He may have been able to pull that one off. Another example is the prophecy in Isaiah 53:5 that says the Messiah would come and die. Now it may not sound too appealing, but technically Jesus could have pulled that one off too if He really wanted to try and accomplish the Biblical prophecies even if He was a phony.
However, when one takes all the prophecies into account, it is impossible for any one man to accomplish them all by chance or effort. This is especially true when prophecies like Micah 5:2 arise. It is said that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. Jesus did not have the ability to pull this prophecy off apart from the Old Testament prophecies really being about Him. He could not have just tried with all His might to be born in Bethlehem. He was not born yet, and the situation was outside of a normal man’s control.
Let this Christmas be a great reminder to you that Jesus has fulfilled the prophecy that He would be born in Bethlehem. This prophecy makes it crystal clear that Jesus is Who He says He is.
Fulfillment of requirement
This Christmas, you should also be reminded that Jesus did not just fulfill prophecy, but He also met the requirements of being King. In 2 Samuel 7, a portion of Scripture is recorded in which God enters into a covenantal agreement with David. This covenant is made known in 2 Samuel 7:16, and in it God promises David that He will establish David’s throne forever.
The history of Israel would attest to the fact that this promise never found its fulfillment. Kings came, and kings went. Kings lived, and kings died. Israel had a king, then their kingdom was taken from them. The history of this nation is rocky, and the kingdom was never established.
But a time came in the history of Israel when through the line of David, there was born in Bethlehem a little boy. This little boy was wrapped in swaddling cloths and tucked away in a manger. Herod did not come to see Him and worship. Nor did the emperor of Rome come and pay Him homage. There was no place for this little child in any of the homes of Bethlehem. They did not know that the King was truly in their midst. The religious elite of the day were not concerned about paying Him a visit and offering Him gifts. Rather the scribes and Pharisees prided themselves on knowing how to answer Herod’s question concerning where this King would be born, but that is all. They did not quickly mount their camels, horses, or donkeys and go see this child. Nobody seemed to care that the King was here apart from some shepherds and some wise men.
In closing
Nevertheless, Christ came and fulfilled both prophecy and requirement. He truly is the King of kings and the Lord of lords, and his Kingship does not depend upon His acceptance or rejection. He is Who He is. He is Who He says He is. Jesus is King, and this Christmas is a great reminder of the King Who came. Let the King warm your hearts this Christmas as you see your humble Savior lying in a manger and bearing the cross.
Final prayer
Father, I thank You for the great reminders that You give me about my Savior. Help me to see Him more clearly this Christmas than ever before. In Jesus’ name, Amen.