Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem: “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah (Ephrathah was the district in which Bethlehem was located) are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel will come from you, one whose origins are from the distant past.” Micah 5:2
Micah accurately predicted Christ’s birthplace hundreds of years before Jesus was born. The promised eternal King in David’s line, who would come to live as a man, had been alive forever…“whose origins are from the distant past.” Although eternal, Christ entered human history as a man, Jesus of Nazareth.
“Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem asking, “Where is the Newborn King of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” Matthew 2: 1, 2
The wise men traveled thousands of miles to see Baby Jesus. When they finally found Him, they were filled with joy, worship, and gifts. This is so different from the approach people often take today. We expect God to come looking for us, to explain Himself, prove who He is, and give us gifts. But those who are wise still seek and worship Jesus today, not for what they can get, but for who He is:)
“And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth, in Galilee. He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant. And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snuggly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.” Luke 2; 4-7
Joseph and Mary had to travel to Bethlehem because a Roman Census had to be taken. The decree for the census went out in God’s perfect timing and according to God’s perfect plan, to bring His Son into the world. Stop and think about that… Doesn’t that simply amaze you? Rome made the decree, just as God intended.
The Old Testament is filled with prophecies that the Messiah would come from David’s royal line…
“Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot- yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root. And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on him-the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.” Isaiah 11: 1, 2
“In those days and at that time I will raise up a righteous descendent from King David’s line. He will do what is just and right throughout the land.” Jeremiah 33: 15
“But afterward the people will return and devote themselves to the Lord their God and to David’s descendant, their king. In the last days, they will tremble in awe of the Lord and in his goodness.” Hosea 3: 5
“David’s descendant, their King”…refers to the time of Messiah’s rule when all people will bow before Him in humility and submission. Those who won’t accept Christ’s blessings will face His power and judgment later. How much better is it to love and follow Christ now than face His wrath and judgment later?