Jesus was Born in Bethlehem

Jesus was Born in Bethlehem of Judaea during the reign of Herod the king. This king Herod was “Herod the Great” and he was troubled by the prophecy of the King of the Jews being born. Herod privily called the wise men to meet with him. He wanted to know where the child was to be born. “And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.” Matthew 2: 5-8 KJV

“When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.” Matthew 2:9-10 KJV The wise men, which were not numbered found the young child and his mother and worshipped him. “And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.” Matthew 2:11 KJV Contrary to the worldly XMas story there was no baby found in a manger but a young child found in his home with his mother.

Herod’s own insecurities caused him to command that all children that were in Bethlehem, and the coasts thereof, from two years old and under were killed. His failure to convince the wise men seeking the child to reveal the child’s location drove him to such an extreme measure. “Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.” Matthew 2: 17-18 KJV

King Herod died. The danger for the young child Jesus wasn’t over. His son had taken over reign and was as terrible as his father. An angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and told him to take Jesus to the land of Israel. Joseph and the family went to Galilee, in a city called Nazareth. “And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.” Matthew 2:23 KJV

The very birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus was met with life threatening violence! The King was born and the hope of our Salvation had arrived on the scene. Jesus was to suffer greatly for you and for me! How great Gods love is! How wondrous and merciful is he! Praise and Glory to God the Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ!

Overview of the book of Matthew, Chapter Two

Sister Brenda