God brought His Son into the world right under the noses of the world’s elite and in the most unlikely place, the tiny town of Bethlehem. Not much ever happened there among the scrub brush, the rocks, scorpions, and snakes. God predicted this event five-hundred years before it happened. He even foretold the right county, Bethlehem Ephratah. There was also a Bethlehem Zebulun at that time. It could have been Greece or Rome, Egypt or Babylon, Germany or France, or Russia or China, but it was lowly Bethlehem. Bethlehem means “house of bread.” Jesus said “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger and he who believes in Me shall never thirst” (John 6:35).
Angels sang, revealing that the angelic conflict was now resolved. What Lucifer sought to take by pride and power would come through submission and servanthood. Jesus said, “He who is the greatest among you shall be your servant” (Matthew 23:11).
What about the shepherds? They were there anticipating that their Good Shepherd was coming. Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep” (John 10:11).
The star had led the wise men for hundreds of miles to the place where they knew the light of the world was being born. The light from the star led them the last twenty-two miles right to the stable, to the very manger. Jesus said, “I am the Light of the World. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life” (John 8:12).
Jesus was born in a stable. There were probably cows, sheep, goats, geese, ducks, and chickens. God had His way of making this moment in history special. You see, He was born where one would think a lamb should be born, in a stable. “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).
The Christ was called Emmanuel, God with us (Matthew 1:23). They called Him Savior, God saves (Matthew 1:21). King Jesus met all of the requirements that God had given to Him.
Paul wrote years later:
But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. (Galatians 4:4-5)
God the Word was finally safely in His safe womb. Orthodox Jews and the church are now looking for a King that will reign over all the earth for a thousand years, a King with the proper credentials (Revelation 20:1-6).
And the Lord shall be King over all the earth. In that day it shall be “The Lord is one,” and His name one. (Zechariah 14:9)
(An excerpt from A Glimpse of the New Genesis, to be released early next year.)