When Jesus came to earth the first time, everything surrounding his birth showed he came as a humble servant. Mary and Joseph were humble, obedient people. Bethlehem, the town of David where the prophet Micah said the Savior would be born, was a humble little town about five miles south of Jerusalem. Micah 5:2 says, “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” To fulfill the prophecy of the Messiah’s birth, Jesus had to be born in Bethlehem, but Mary and Joseph lived in Nazareth of Galilee. The Roman census required Mary and Joseph to travel to Bethlehem, otherwise Jesus would have been born in Nazareth and would not have fulfilled the prophecy. This demonstrates that God has control over human history. Psalm 22:28 states, “for dominion belongs to the Lord and he rules over the nations.”
Luke 2:1-7
The Birth of Jesus Christ
2 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS:
Why did Mary and Joseph go to Bethlehem? (1-4)
Why did Mary have to put the baby in a manger for a bed? (7)
Why wouldn’t there have been room for them anywhere else?
THOUGHT QUESTIONS:
What do the circumstances surrounding Christ’s birth show you?
Why do you think God did things that way?
What kind of savior or king would most people have been looking for?
Why?
PRAYER:
Thank God that Jesus came as a humble, submissive servant to fulfill his plans and die for your sins. Pray that you would learn to be humble and submissive to God’s will like Jesus was. Thank Jesus that he is a heavenly king, who reigns forever.
FOCUS VERSE: Micah 5:2
But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”