Daily Devotion – Tuesday 9th March, 2021.
Mat 2:4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
Mat 2:5 So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet:
On all our trips to Israel, when we have travelled to the birth city of Jesus Christ, the town of Bethlehem, one is always underwhelmed on arrival.
When you enter the church of the Nativity, one is always expecting something grand or majestic. But it’s more like a big empty old wooden farm shed, divided into three sections: Catholic, Eastern, and Russian Orthodox, and the three groups don’t get along with one another at all.
It really looks more like a garage sale scene with objects hanging from the ceiling that have the appearance of old hubcaps trying to look like Christmas decorations. It’s disappointing to say the least.
Bethlehem means “House of Bread”, the city where the “Bread of Life” came into our world born of a virgin.
But just like Bethlehem, Jesus came to little people just like us. People who are somewhat dusty and not all that impressive. Insignificant and out of the way!
But Jesus made Bethlehem a place where millions have come to see. In the same way, Jesus
Has done the same for you and I. Now the angels in heaven look at us in amazement with what God has given us by His grace.
Insignificant in all earthly appearances but the place where God sent His only begotten Son.
Bethlehem reminds me of what I was and what I have become because of Jesus coming into my life.
If you have received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, you like Bethlehem, are blessed for evermore!
Micah 5:2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel will come from you, one whose origins are from the distant past.