Why Bethlehem?

Philippians 2:7,8 Instead, he gave up everything, even his place with God. He accepted the role of a servant, appearing in human form. During his life as a man, he humbled himself by being fully obedient to God, even when that caused his death—death on a cross.

Not everything that God does makes a whole lot of sense. Often He leaves us wondering … why in the blazes did He do it that way? Take the whole ‘Jesus in a stable in Bethlehem’ thing. Well, why did He do it that way?

I was looking the other day at a recent photograph of Bethlehem, a town with lots of cream brick buildings set amongst some dry-ish looking hills. It’s a great photo, a stunning sunset.

But that got me thinking, “Why did God choose Bethlehem two thousand years ago as the time and the place for His Son Jesus to be born? I mean, why not New York, Paris, London, Tokyo or Beijing in the 21st century?”

Think of the power of television, the internet, social media, mobile phones and the like for Jesus to get His story out there. He could have reached billions with a well targeted marketing campaign in this digital world, pretty much bereft as it is of borders.

But God being God didn’t choose any of that. He chose Bethlehem. In a tiny little village, in a smelly old stable two thousand years ago, a little baby quietly slipped into the world.

And from those humble beginnings, this Jesus turned the world upside down.

So why did God choose Bethlehem? Why that stable? Why that time? What was He trying to say to us about who He is? What do you think?

Philippians 2:7,8 Instead, he gave up everything, even his place with God. He accepted the role of a servant, appearing in human form. During his life as a man, he humbled himself by being fully obedient to God, even when that caused his death—death on a cross.

This God of infinite glory is also a God of infinite humility. The God of power is the God of grace. Jesus.

That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.