Putting Bethlehem on the Map
Viral videos are taking over social media! One little slip on the wet concrete. One misstep into a door. Doing something daring.
These videos that have gone viral have even made people “famous”. Without that particular video that someone is in, we wouldn’t know this person.
But we know them now because that viral video put them on the map.
It’s sometimes overwhelming to think that there are over 7 billion people in our world! And I am only one person in this world made up of so many different ethnicities, skin colors, and origins.
We all have a backstory that has led us up to this point in life, making us who we are. Whether through trial or triumph, these stories make up who we are.
I think about the city of Bethlehem in this same way. When I think of Bethlehem, I first consider the birth of Christ before I think of anything else about Bethlehem.
In fact, the birth of Christ is not the first time that Bethlehem is mentioned in Scripture.
Did you know that?
Bethlehem is first mentioned in Genesis 35:19, “So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem).”
In fact, there is much about Bethlehem that is mentioned way before Jesus was born there.
It is the setting for most of the Book of Ruth and was the presumed birthplace, and indeed the home, of Ruth’s descendant King David; there, he was anointed king of Israel by the prophet Samuel (1 Samuel 16). The town was fortified by Rehoboam, David’s grandson and the first king of Judah after the division of the state between Israel and Judah (2 Chronicles 11). (1)
And yet, we only know Bethlehem mainly for the fact that Jesus was born there. Jesus put Bethlehem on the map and gave way for us to look into its rich history that shows us exactly how significant the city was as a place of refuge.
And maybe the most remarkable thing we know about Bethlehem is that the book of Micah prophesied about this Messiah coming to the city to be born. In that, Jesus wouldn’t just put Bethlehem on the map, but this sign of a baby born in a manger gives way for us to know all about Jesus’ intention to put us on the map.
Micah 5:2
But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf.
What the birth of Christ did to put Bethlehem on the map, Jesus does to put us in the book of life.
Without the birth of Christ, Bethlehem is possibly forgotten.
Without the love and sacrifice of Christ poured out on a cross, our name cannot be written in what is called the “lambs book of life.”
The significance of Bethlehem lies with Jesus, who was born there. He drew a crowd of wise men and astrologers. His birth caused a King to throw an outlandish tantrum who went on to murder a lot of babies.
And his birth ushered in a new and glorious era. An opportunity where we could find peace and shelter, a place where Christ becomes our refuge and strength.
https://www.britannica.com/place/Bethlehem
