Bethlehem…why?
Bethlehem…why?
Matthew 2: 4 He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?”
5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote:
6 ‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.
I have had the blessing of visiting the town of Bethlehem on a number of occasions. It is a small little town still today with no significant industry or natural allurement other than it being the place where our Saviour Jesus Christ was born.
Many tourists are really disappointed when they arrive there expecting something special. There is nothing special in Bethlehem. The Church of the Nativity is another big shock to most people. More like a big empty hall in which three religious groups struggle with one another over whom should control the site.
It has so many objects hanging from the roof in the front of the church it actually looks like a big garage sale of some sort.
But in saying all that about the physical aspects of Bethlehem, it’s still perfect!
Jesus was born in Bethlehem, in a cave actually under the Church of Nativity, which was being used as a stable.
At the time of Jesus birth, it was dirty, and held no natural beauty then either.
But Jesus came to a real world as a real man to help real people.
Bethlehem fit that which was needed perfectly.
Bethlehem means the “House of Bread”, and this is where the living “Bread of Life” was sure to be born.
Bethlehem that little city back then and now is one of the most well-known and famous cities in the world – because Jesus was born there!
It is the same with you and I, Jesus came for little insignificant people like us. People without any natural allurement, no special qualities and unimpressive to the world in which we now live.
But Jesus makes each one of us blessed, enriched and completely fulfilled. Not because of who we are but because whose we are!
We are His very own and He loves each and every one of us!
May God bless you today as you remember Jesus came into this world for you!