Since Weezie and I are new to living in the New England area, we are enjoying learning a little history about the area. Five miles from us is the little town of Bethlehem with a population about 2,500. On Christmas day, 1799 the name “Bethlehem” was decided upon for their village which consisted of 33 families and that name was officially recognized on Dember 27 of that year. It soon became a boom town and tourist destination having over thirty hotels and five train depots with seven trains a day rolling into this little village. It attracted visitors from all over, including Robert Frost, the poet, and five United States Presidents.
We find all that interesting, but there is another town named “Bethlehem” which also has an interesting history. It is the little town of Bethlehem, Judea. One learns several interesting facts and lessons from this biblical town by reading Luke 2. Basically, the whole world knows that Jesus was born in this village.
First, with Jesus’ Birth in Bethlehem, We See God’s Providence at Work. Joseph and Mary came to be in this village where Jesus was born because “In those days, a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth…and everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city,” (Luke 2:1, 3). About 700 years before the birth of Christ, God said in Micah 5:2, “But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity.” But, Joseph and Mary lived in Nazareth, eighty miles to the north. Had it not been for Caesar Augustus’ decreed, Jesus might have been born in Nazareth. The census was called just at the right time for Jesus to be born in the city of David!
One can tell that Joseph and Mary were poor by the sacrifice they offered (Luke 2:24). We also learn from Matthew’s account of Jesus’ birth that wise men brought gifts to Joseph and Mary (Matthew 2:12ff). Because of the danger of Jesus’ being put to death by Herod, Joseph was told to take the young child to Egypt. How could Joseph afford that trip? Only because the providence of God brought them money they needed to live in Egypt several months, maybe even a year.
It is also providential that Bethlehem was a place caravans going to Egypt formed. How handy for Joseph, Mary, and the young child to be able to get to Egypt! There are several major events which occurred around Bethlehem where God worked out the details by working through natural events to fulfil His will. Let’s not forget that God still works in our lives through providence, even though we do not live in Bethlehem, Judea!
Second, Jesus’ Birth Was First Announced to Shepherds Keeping Their Flocks Near Bethlehem, (Luke 2:1-20). Early in biblical history, God’s people were known for being shepherds. The biblical scholar, William Barclay, says that by the time of the New Testament, shepherds had a bad reputation. Even though they took care of sheep, they were usually not the owners of the sheep. They had such a bad reputation they were not allowed to testify in legal court. Remember, Jesus spoke of the shepherds who were hirelings and not really interested in protecting the sheep (John 10:12). Shepherds of Jesus’ day were outcast from society.
“In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people, for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior who is Christ the Lord,’” (Luke 2:8-11).
Isn’t it interesting that God saw fit to call upon those outcasts to be the first to announce the most important birth of all time? God has always taken special interest in those who were outcasts and those who were poor and mistreated.
Those shepherds went to see Jesus and “when they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds,” (Luke 2:17-18). Here, the outcasts of society were the first to announce the birth of the Savior.
God still has a soft heart for those who are outcasts in society. If you feel like you are an outcast from society, rest assured, God wants you! You can be part of His family! Often, those who are Christians are looked upon as outcasts. They are looked upon as being “odd” and out of step with the world’s views. The world thinks we are foolish for believing there is salvation through a cross (I Corinthians 1:23-24).
Third, Jesus Is Special, Just Like the Sheep, the Shepherds Guarded Were Special. It was only about six miles from Bethlehem to Jerusalem. At the temple in Jerusalem the priest offered a lamb to God as a sacrifice every morning at 9:00 and every afternoon at 3:00. Those were special sacrifices, and those special sheep were kept in the fields of Bethlehem.
Jesus was born right where those special sheep were kept! That is no surprise when one realizes that Jesus is the most special Lamb that has ever been offered. Peter reminds us, “You were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ,” (I Peter 1:18-19). Those special lambs had to be offered everyday for 1,500 years! Jesus’ blood was offered once for all. It is no wonder that when John saw Jesus he cried out, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world,” (John 1:29).
Fourth, Bethlehem Means “House of Bread.” How appropriate that Jesus was born in a town with that meaning! Jesus truly is the bread of life! “Jesus then said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread out of heaven, but it is My Father who gives you the true bread out of heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven, and gives life to the world…I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst,” (John 6:32-33, 35). He went on to explain that one partakes of that bread as one feeds on the words Christ gives (John 6:63, 66-68).
Concluding Reminders
There are several questions each of us needs to ask ourselves: (1) Are we eating the bread of life? We can only do that as we follow closely the Word of God. (2) Have we received the benefit of Jesus’ sacrifice as the Lamb of God? That has not happened unless we have been immersed in water in order to die to self and be forgiven of our sins which is obtained by reaching His cleansing blood (Romans 6:3-4). (3) Are we announcing to the world around us, the message that Jesus is the Savior of the world, as the shepherds did? If not, why not? Have we learned the messages from Bethlehem?
Wayne Burger