And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:8-14 (NIV) Beloved, this is our second study on this passage. Our focus is Jesus as the Messiah: the importance of Bethlehem. Why was it that God made it come to pass that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem? Why not in Nazareth, where Jesus spent most of His early life? Why does the angel mention that Jesus was born in the town/city of David: Bethlehem? There is one answer for all of these questions: God spoke through a prophet. assuring the people that the Messiah, the savior, would come out of Bethlehem. In John 7:42, some people said, “Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the offspring of David, and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David was?”. They were looking back to Micah 5:2 which reads, “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.” The Messiah was to come from Bethlehem, to be ruler; the Messiah was He who came from eternity past! In identifying Jesus as being born in Bethlehem, the angel was saying that Jesus is the Messiah, stemming from David, as prophesied in scripture. Moreover, this also confirms some incredible things about Jesus! The angel was implicitly saying that Jesus is to be ruler – not of an earthly kingdom, but of a heavenly Kingdom. Jesus came from ancient days – He pre-existed as – and continues to exist as (having never ceased to be) – God the Son. As such, Jesus is Lord; Jesus is King of Kings; Jesus bears the scepter of righteousness; His throne is everlasting; He is the maker and ruler of all creation! Let there be no doubt that, though born in humility, Jesus is the King: no ruler will ever come close to His power, majesty, glory and so forth. It is fitting that King Jesus, the Messiah, should be born in Bethlehem – as scripture prophesied – which is the city of King David. The angel was being clear that this Jesus, this baby, was the one of old: His birth was not the start, and His earthly humility was not representation of His heavenly glory. Beloved, let us acknowledge this and bow down to Jesus as Lord, as ruler, as King, as Messiah, as God! He is worthy – He who was born in Bethlehem of the virgin Mary is truly worthy! Blessings!
Posted on: Sat, 16 Nov 2013 23:25:21 +0000
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