The Messiah - Part 9

Messiah born in Bethlehem

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. Micah 5:2

We see from this prophecy in the Old Testament book of Micah that the Messiah is to be born in Bethlehem in Judah. There is to come a ruler in Israel. He is someone who has always been and will be eternal. This is an eternal ruler.

Fulfillment in the New Testament:

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. Matthew 2:1-2

There were wise men from the east who were searching for the eternal king. They saw a star in the east that led them to Bethlehem. They knew of the prophecy in the book of Micah because they expected this birth to be one that was to be the King of the Jews. They knew that this was
someone special and sent from God and they came to worship this baby. My picture of these wise men are not ordinary astronomers or star gazers. They seem to me to be men who diligently sought God continually and waited for the coming of the coming King or Messiah.

Whether they heard that this King was later crucified and died; the bible doesn't tell us. I would wonder though whether these men who were looking for a triumphant King, would have believed if this King was crucified and killed by the very people He was supposed to rule over.

This is pure speculation but if these men were so dedicated that they recognized a special star that led them to the Christ Child, they probably would have also realized that this King was much more than a ruler but also a savior of the whole world.

When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should 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 Judah, art not the least among the princes of Judah: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. Matthew 2:3-6

Herod was so afraid of the newborn king that he sent to the scribes and demanded them to tell him where Christ was to be born. They too said that the Christ was to be born in Bethlehem. Herod was so afraid of losing his throne that he tried to have the baby slaughtered. The wise men were warned of God not to return and not tell Herod where the Christ child was but to go home another way.

I picture the wise men as those who figured Herod would be as excited as they to discover this miraculous birth of someone sent by God Himself. Thankfully God prevented the plans of Herod and had Joseph take the baby and Mary to Egypt to escape thus fufilling another prophecy when they left Egypt to return to Israel.

When Herod realized that he was mocked of the wise men, he sent and ordered the slaying of children from two years old and under.
Then Herod, when he had privately called the wise men, inquired 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.
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. 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.
And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. Matthew 2:7-12

So we see here that wise men came to see this newborn King after seeing a star and searching the scriptures. We too can find this King by searching the scriptures in the Old Testament and discovering that Jesus Christ fulfills these prophecies and none other.

Although many were looking for an earthly King at that time and not one that was to be killed as we see later happened to Jesus Christ, we shall see as we study Isaiah 53 and other Old Testament prophecies that this King had to first suffer and die for the sin of mankind in order to save them from eternal death. This is the part that causes many to stumble and not recognize Jesus as the Messiah.

He will return to rule as King but His first coming was to give all who believe victory over sin. Many do not think that they have any sin and are still waiting for a Messiah that will give victory over enemies.

Victory over enemies will happen one day but first we need to get rid of the greatest enemy and that is evil. Sin is a greater enemy than an evil ruler. Sin destroys eternally while those that kill the body only have power to kill temporarily. When the body dies the soul still lives. It is the soul that is either saved or lost eternally. Jesus came to save the soul and forgive the sin that destroys the soul. "The soul that sins shall die." This is eternal death from which only Jesus Christ can save us.

Luke 2:4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Even though the family of Jesus lived in Nazareth, because of a decree given by the ruler of that day that all were to return to their city of their lineage. Joseph was from the house of David and had to go to Bethlehem to be taxed. This caused Jesus to be born in Bethlehem and so fulfilled
the prophesy in Micah.

We may think today that it seemed a silly law to pass and cause people to travel to their homeland to be taxed. All through the ages rulers have passed laws we would think was unfair and cruel especially in the free country like the United States.

Hitler once passed a law that all Jewish people had to wear the star of David in order to make them stand out showing who they were and where they were from. This was the beginning of a nightmare meant to destroy every last one of them. For some reason the Jewish people have always been hated and many seek to destroy them from off the face of the earth.

This has always puzzled me but the answer to this is in the bible. One day it will come to an end. God's eternal purpose for the Jewish people as well as all other people who believe in Jesus, the one God sent to save them, will be fulfilled. There is nothing that can stop it.

Many try to stop those who preach the truth. They try stop those who work to turn people away from sin and to Jesus Christ. No matter who tries to stop it, it will go forth. The devil tries to use evil rulers, false religion, worldliness, sin, persecution, deception, pride, wealth, poverty and any means he can to stop us from finding Jesus Christ and being reconciled to God. He knows
that he is doomed for hell and he is determined to take as many as he can with him. This is why so many hate the very name of Jesus Christ. They do not realize that Satan has deceived them and they are his very agents trying to stop the gospel. I just heard recently that many in some parts of Africa are being killed for preachin the gospel.

If you've ever made fun of a preacher of the gospel, you've been unknowingly used of the devil to make light of the gospel. The groups that try to get prayer out of schools are unknowingly agents of Satan to stop little children from receiving the gospel that is the only thing that will
save them. False religion and cults who teach good works or other things but teach against faith in Christ are really agents of Satan. We should do good works for the good of mankind and to reflect the Lord we believe in but good works apart from faith in Jesus Christ will not save anyone.

There is only one way to be saved and that is to repent of sin and turn to Jesus Christ, the one God sent to save us from sin. Sin kills and destroys, All born and arrived at the age of accountability have sinned. All of us will die eternally in hell if we don't repent of sin and receive Jesus Christ the gift of God into our lives. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved.

Luke 2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Here we seen the gift of God to mankind. This made the shepherds rejoice and glorified God. If you've ever been to a church service where people were shouting and praising God, you can see why. They are rejoicing because they have found the gift of God, Jesus Christ that brings
salvation to all those that believe.

At Christmastime many give and receive gifts. Seeing a little child get something that he or she desires, is a joy. We see them excited and happy to open their gifts and rejoice. How much greater is this gift of God who sent His own Son to become one of us in order to pay the penalty that we deserved for sin.

God allowed His own Son to die on the cross so that all who believe this and receive experience forgiveness of sins and have eternal life. This is why you go to some churches or gatherings and see people shout praises to God. Why not go and find out what they are shouting and singing about? DC

Messiah Index

Messiah part 10