City Life Starter

I. The Word: Luke 2:4-7

“Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David.  So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.  And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” (NKJV)

1,000 Years

What can happen in thousand years?  Since the reign of King David (1,000BC), Israel has been through various turmoils, from a divided kingdom to the fall of Israel and Judah, exile and returning to the land, being ruled by foreign powers, and the temple being defiled and corrupted.  Prior to the birth of Jesus, Judah was under control by the Romans and ruled by a Roman appointed official, Herod who was simply a tyrant.  In remembering the the Davidic kingdom, the glory of king David’s reign was a once upon a time story, but the hope of a future Davidic king with eternal reign was promised by the prophets, found in every Torah, and known by every believing Jew.  

Bethlehem, was where David was anointed by Samuel to be the king of Israel.  This is also where David, a shepherd boy would be chosen by God to lead His people, because God had chosen a man after His heart.  When we read about King David’s humble beginnings, I find that it parallels with the birth of Jesus when he was born in a manger at the sheepfold.  He was not born in a lavish palace, but in a sheepfold where no one would suspect that a child born in such a place would somehow lead God’s chosen people.  But that is exactly how the story unfolded, that the Savior of the world was be born in one of the lowliest places on earth.

As we prepare for the birth of our Savior, let us remind ourselves about the humility of Christ.  JY

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:5-11, NKJV)