TEXT: MATTHEW 2:1-16; LUKE 2:1-15.
Something can happen when Christ comes to your Bethlehem. Something will change you from what you were to what you can become. From Nazareth to Bethlehem was a journey of 90 miles (124 km). It would take Joseph and Mary 5 days journey. Bethlehem is 6 miles or 9 km southwest of Jerusalem. Today like the shepherds of Bethlehem who received the first christmas greetings from the angels, let their reply be our reply, “Let us now go even to Bethlehem and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord has made known unto us”-Luke 2:15.
Jesus Christ was not born in the house of royalty. He was not born in the house of riches or the house of celebrity. Jesus was born in Jerusalem or in Rome, Athens or Alexandria.
Jesus was not born in a political, commercial, central, educational or socially significant city of the day.
Look at how much the prophet emphasized the lack of significance of Bethlehem to the world, “But thou Bethlehem, Ephrata, though be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from old, from everlasting”-Micah 5:2. Let us learn:-
THE MYSTERY OF BETHLEHEM.
- Of all the cities, towns and villages in Palestine, why did God choose such un obscure-hamlet as Bethlehem for the birth of the greatest figure ever to enter into human history?
- The name Hebron occurs 73 times in the Bible.
- Why not Jerusalem which is mentioned 611 times in the Old Testament alone!
- From the day King David captured Jerusalem from the Jebusites to make it his city.
- Jerusalem was the centre of religious and civil life in Israel.
- But Bethlehem which means the “House of bread” was only known for the production of wheat and barley.
- Why not Nairobi, Cape town, London, New York, Moscow, Dubai, New Dehli, Hong Kong, Sidney or Paris?
- God is not a respector of people or places!!
THE HISTORY OF BETHLEHEM.
- Bethlehem is the place where Rachel, Jacob’s beloved wife died and was buried after giving birth to Benjamin.
- Bethlehem is the place where Naomi, Ruth’s mother-in-law was from.
- Bethlehem is the place where Ruth found her kinsman redeemer-Boaz.
- Bethlehem is the city of Jesse, where David was anointed to be king by the prophet Samuel.
- Bethlehem is the birth place of King David, Israel’s great and ideal king, poet and hero. This is the place where King David drew his first breath and grew.
- Bethlehem is the place where the shepherds were keeping thir sheep by night.
- Bethlehem is the place where the wise men from the east travelled seeking for the one born of the king of the Jews.
- Bethlehem is the place where king Herod killed children 2 years old and younger to eliminate the one whom he feared threatened his throne.
- When christmas came to Bethlehem, he changed the status of this obscure humble village.
- When christmas (Christ) comes to your Bethlehem something will change you from what you are to what you can become!!
THE SHEPHERDS OF THE FIELD.
- Shepherds were the lowest class of people in Israel.
- Shepherds were the rejects of society, their job was dirty, for weeks they were away from home.
- Shepherds lived in the wilderness, living with the sheep.
- Shepherds are the last people you expect God to take notice of, they were religious outcasts, they were unclean.
- Shepherds were not allowed to participate in the 8 festivals and feasts and holy day of the Jews.
- They were borderline people and suspicious.
- Their word was not to be trusted, they were not welcome as witnesses in the courts of the law.
- But God ignored the kings, political leaders, professionals, priests, rabbis, the Sanhedrin, military leaders, wealthy business people, pastors and bishops, reverends and choir masters!!
- All the above were not expectant of the Savior of the world. Only those who seek Him find Him.
- God is not a respector of people and place, but in every place where there is faith, God works.
- God told the shepherds, “You are the first. You get the first opportunity to see and worship Him.”
- Today we are a privileged people to hear the gospel preached.
- The shepherds-feared-Vs. 8-10.
- Their faith-Luke 2:17, 20.
THE SERVANTS OF THE LORD-The angles.
- The angels appeared.
- They announced the birth of Christ-preachers were asleep.
- They sang a new song-choir of men and women were nowhere to be found.
- The angels attended the greatest birthday of all eternity!!
- The angels adoration.
- The first worshippers were the angels, followed by the shepherds, followed by the wise men.
- The greatest gift we can give to Christ is to worship Him, “Fall down before Him.”
- They sang a new song “Glory to God in the highest”-2nd 8:9.
- “And on earth peace, good will towards men”-Luke 2:14.
THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD-Luke 2:7.
- “She gave birth to her first born son.” This was a very human person-the humanity of Jesus.
- Galatians 4:4, “And God sent forth His son” (Christmas)-This is the divinity of Christ-God.
- Hypostasis (God and man at the same time).
- Christ was born in Bethlehem, “The house of bread” to teach us that each of us must choose Him as Savior for ourselves.
- You must eat bread of life for yourself, No one can receive Christ for you!!
- Jesus Christ is the only bread that offers life and the decision to receive Him is an individual one-1st 1:17.
- The question is not “have you come to church?” or “have you received the bread of life” Christmas?
- As Savior we are accepted in Him-Eph. 1:6.
- We are delivered in Him from sin-Rev. 1:5.
- We are preserved in Him, once saved for ever saved-John 6:37; 1st Peter 1:5-Preservation.
CONCLUSION
- Christmas means the “Christ send” or “God send.”
- Christmas came to Bethlehem, He became us so that we can become like Him.
- The Bethlehem that was the birth place of David, the shepherds, now is the birth place of the chief shepherd-Jesus.
- Will you receive Him, “The bread of life?” Jesus Christ is Christmas.
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