THE LITTLE TOWN OF
BETHLEHEM
We’ve heard about it most all of our lives. This
little place called “Bethlehem”. It is still very intriguing to me that I’ve
been able to visit there a variety of times over the years. I’m probably more
fascinated this year than ever before. The significance of this little town is
no small thing.
It’s located just
5 miles south of Jerusalem and its name means “House of Bread”. We all know
that Bethlehem is the birthplace of Jesus, but what is the bigger significance
of this little town? It is a city in the hill country of Judah that was
originally called Ephrath and shows up clear back in Genesis, but it was also
called Bethlehem Ephratah by the Prophet Micah, and “the City of David” in Luke
2.
The first
mention of this tiny place in the Bible is the place where Jacob buried his
wife Rachel, who died in child birth. Her burial site is still marked to this
day, right alongside the road going into Bethlehem. Just to the east where the
fields lay was the scene of the story of Ruth.
Bethlehem was
also the birthplace of David and the place where he was anointed king by the
Prophet Samuel. And, for whatever reason, it was distinguished above every
other city as the birthplace of the promised Messiah – The Bread of Life.
It is the
relationship of Bethlehem to Christ that has really put it at its highest
visibility. The old prophet Micah was understood to indicate that the Messiah,
like David, would be born in Bethlehem not Jerusalem. Three of the Gospel
writers, Matthew, Luke and John, all report that Jesus was born in that humble
village. Flash forward three centuries, during the reign of the first Christian
emperor of the Roman Empire. It was under Constantine that the Church of the
Nativity was constructed. It was destroyed during the Samaritan revolt around
AD 529 and rebuilt between 527-565. That ancient structure forms the basic unit
that is still in use today although many modifications have occurred,
especially during the Middle Ages.
I love what
Max Lucado says about Bethlehem, “God knows what it’s like to be a human. When
I talk to him about deadlines or long lines or tough times, he understands.
He’s been there. He’s been here. Because of Bethlehem, I have a friend in
heaven. Because of Bethlehem, I have a Savior in heaven.”
Christmas
begins what Easter celebrates. The child in the cradle became the king on the
cross. And because he did, there are no marks on my record. Just grace. His
offer has no fine print. He didn’t tell me, “Clean up before you come in.” He
offered, “Come in, and I’ll clean you up.” It’s not my grip on him that matters
but his grip on me. And his grip is sure. So is his presence in my life. God is
always near us. Always for us. Always in us. We may forget him, but God will
never forget us. We’re forever on his mind and in his plans. He called himself ‘Immanuel’
which means ‘God with us’.
I can’t
wait to tell you more about this amazing little place when we’re together this
Sunday at Deer Flat. Come expecting an outstanding morning. I look forward to being together with you!
Merry
Christmas!
Pastor
D
PS - Is
God calling you to serve Him abroad? Deer Flat is taking a trip to Cuba
June 2-10, 2017. Join us for an informational meeting which will lay out the
trip details and show you how to sign up for the trip this upcoming Sunday, December
18th after 2nd service in the downstairs Youth Room, #25.
The final day to register for the trip is January 22nd. Have
questions? Please call Heather at 899-0586 or Martin at 353-2500.
No comments:
Post a Comment