Luke and Matthew both place Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem. These are the only references in the New Testament to Bethlehem as Jesus’ place of birth. There are problems with those claims, and I’ll come back to them in a moment. First, let’s look at Mark, the first gospel written, and John, the last gospel written. Jesus’ birthplace and hometown. Where was Jesus born? In the Bible, Jesus’ birthplace is identified as Bethlehem. This scene from the Arena (Scrovegni) Chapel in Padua by the Italian artist Giotto shows Mary, Joseph and Jesus in the Bethlehem stable. Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 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. However, we cannot know for sure the month and day Jesus was born, but there is evidence to believe He was born in 3-2 B.C. Joseph and Mary left their hometown of Nazareth, which was located in lower Galilee, and traveled to the city of Bethlehem in the south part of Judah. The primary reason the birth of Jesus took place in Bethlehem was to fulfill the prophecy given by the minor prophet Micah. He stated, “And you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are being least among the thousands of Judah, out of you He (Jesus) shall come forth (be born) to Me, that is to become Ruler in Israel . . .” (Micah 5:2) In Luke 2:39-52, we have the only reference in Scripture to the years between Jesus’ birth and the beginning of His ministry when He was about 30. Some of the apocryphal gospels that circulated in the early centuries of the church contain fanciful and miraculous legends from Jesus’ childhood. One of the most fascinating facts about the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem is how God used the powerful but sometimes brutal Roman Empire, coupled with a Jewish fixation on their ancestors, to fulfill a 700-year-old prophecy! “Awesome quote by © Thomas Dekker: “The best man That e’re wore earth about Him was a Sufferer, A soft, meek, patient, humble, tranquil spirit: The first true gentleman that ever breathed.”
Makes you wonder just what kind of God we worship. He influences great power and wisdom. He willingly humbled Himself for our salvation. Jesus died in time a criminal’s death on the cross. He walked, worshiped and lived on this earth with us. People was blessed by Him, People ridiculed Him, people spit at Him, people worshiped Him because He was God’s common good. Jesus suffered for us and died for us. As Jesus first came as an ordinary baby, around ordinary people. God turns to ordinary people today as you pray and believe. You may not feel important. God says you are His and worth Dying for. Be confident and courageous, because Jesus will come to anyone who receives Him and believes in Him. When ordinary people decide to follow Jesus, He can accomplish amazing things through them.
Let’s read Luke 2:39-52
And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, how is it that ye sought me? Wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business? And they understood not the saying which he spoke unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.
{Let’s Pray}
Father God, I can understand how You came to earth as a baby in a manger to prove to all of us that righteousness is more effective in forgiving sinners and growing them into Your light to walk right. As Jesus walked perfectly right. God the Son would lay aside His heavenly glory and be willing to come to earth, be born as a little baby, and live a perfect life, so that He could die a sacrificial death for the sin of the world. I thank You and praise You for Jesus’s wonderful example of obedience to You and thank You demonstrated to us how to live a life that’s totally dependent on You. I believe that like the Lord Jesus, I would grow in grace and increase in wisdom and understanding, for Your praise and glory. I thank You and praise You that You give sinners a second chance at walking right and You are a forgiving God. I believe that I would learn to say, without hesitation, “Lord Your will not mine be done in all things. I love You, thank You, praise You and give You all the glory in Jesus Precious Name Amen.
{Power Verse}
I bless the Lord: O Lord my God, how great You are! You are robbed with honor and with majesty and light. Psalm 104:1
"Only Life Changes" 