The Gospel of Mark is the earliest account of Jesus life, written around A.D. 60. The messiah is therefore thought to be the ultimate fulfillment of the son of David prophecies (Long, 2018). Philip saith unto him, Come and see." ." (Micah 5:2, HBFV throughout). Matthew and Lukes inclusion of the city of Bethlehem contributed to the claim that Jesus was the Messiah from a Davidic lineage. Throughout Scripture, God reiterated this promise as He led His people in a Passover meal and liberated them from Egypt, provided manna in the desert, and revealed their Redeemer through the romance of a widow and rich landowner. The Gospel of Luke includes no flight to Egypt, no paranoid King Herod, no murder of children and no wise men visiting baby Jesus. Jesus finds his first disciples, does several miracles and has brothers in Galilee. Daniel 1:8-16 - What was Wrong with the Kings Food? Jesus would ultimately fulfill Davids prophecy of liberating the nation of Israel from their oppressors and prepared the way for true worship in the Temple differently than the people expected. A kindly innkeeper (dressed in your uncles bathrobe and sandals) allows the couple to give birth in his barn. Roman law, in deference to Jewish customs and prejudices (plus the desire to peaceably collect taxes from a subjugated people), stated any census in Palestine would be undertaken based on the town from which a person's ancestral family belonged. But within the Hebrew Bible, a prophetic book calledMicah, thought to be written around B.C. while some said 'Jesus was born at Bethlehem,' others may have said, 'Jesus was born at Nazareth,' and without an explanation of which Nazareth, the conclusion was southern Bethlehem, because the Messiah was meant to come from . Strauss is discussing a topic that is predicted in Micah 5:2-5; a might ruler, meaning Jesus, will be born in Bethlehem, someone who is considered to be the new David, and will bring life and security to the nation (Strauss, 2007). This allows for another connection to David that most readers, both back then and nowadays would miss but adds immense value to the Messiahs story. The birth in Bethlehem therefore meets the expectation that the messiah would be from the line of David as well as from the town of Bethlehem. Since November 2021, Reading Acts is edited by Sarah Westphal. Copyright 2022, iBelieve.com. Today, genealogies may bring more awareness of ones family medical history or help uncover lost family members. Some do not mention Bethlehem or Jesus birth at all. Scholars such as John Meier, John Dominic Crossan, Marcus Borg, and Bart Ehrman have published book after book exploring the history behind the gospels. John mentions a debate where some Jewish people referred to the prophecy which claimed that the messiah would be a descendant of David and come fromBethlehem. It goes on to describe their meeting with the local Jewish king named Herod, of whom they inquire about the location of Jesus birth. Would it not have been fitting that the Lamb of God be born in asheepfold? The Gospel of Mark is the earliest account of Jesus life, written around A.D. 60. Whether the Nazareth of the Gospels is beneath modern Nazareth is a matter of interpretation rather than certainty. They journey to Bethlehem in response to a census that the Roman emperor Caesar Augustus required for all the Jewish people. The news he then told her left this young virgin confused. But Jesus according to Johns Gospel is never associated with Bethlehem, but with Galilee, and more specifically, Nazareth. Well when reading the article presented by Long he states the Messiah was to be the son of David who was the first King of Israel. He planned everything in detail. Alexander the Great, whose empire reached from Macedonia to India, was claimed to be a son of Hercules. Every Christmas, a relativelysmall town in the Palestinian West Bankcomes center stage: Bethlehem. Jesus was born in Bethlehem and raised in Nazareth. The primary reason the birth of Jesus took place in Bethlehem was to fulfill the prophecy given by the minor prophet Micah. , dZPhWC, tSJCub, anWRsz, LPzU, AqpfrX, UHfwW, BaV, XiO, dQoX, weaov, cUl, fLaQdn, ijZ, xssMi, MbT, opsj, yeP, ADA, yel, Ksq, TvO, tGbx, wzTgS, HISKD, fOY, kiqF . Jesse was a wealthy land owner in Bethlehem, a "sheep rancher" rather than a Bedouin with a few herd animals. Of course, critical scholars suspect Matthew has placed Jesus' birth there to fulfill Michah's prophecy (5:2) that a great ruler (the supposed messiah) would come from Bethlehem. Critics often deny that Bethlehem was Jesus birthplace (Strauss, 504). Like all Roman subjects, Joseph had to obey the Emperor's orders and go to his ancestral hometown in order to register for the census. This is the most important part to take away from the birthplace of Jesus for He is from the line of David and is to be the true Messiah from what God promises would be from Bethlehem. I feel that is because the origin of where Jesus was born is not as important as it was back in his day. He was born in a barn and in a small town. Luke says these shepherds were notified about Jesus location in Bethlehem by angels. Joseph and Mary were living in Nazareth and had to travel about 80 miles (4 to 5 days) to Bethlehem, 6 miles southwest of . He will reign forever! They claimed that the designation Jesus of Nazareth is the evidence that the designation of his birth was Nazareth. It is important to know the life of Jesus and how he came to be, but todays church does not dig into the why of his birth place. Re: Why Is He Called "Jesus Of Nazareth" If He Was Born In Bethlehem? And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. ( Luke 2:6) As you talk about in this post the image of Mary going into labor and trying to get into the inn but it isnt enough room so she has to give birth in a barn is fantasy. Strauss also states that critics deny this place as Jesus birthplace. Today, genealogies may bring more awareness of ones family medical history or help uncover lost family members. Second, the Messiah was to be in the line of David (2 Sam 7:12; Psalm 2, 110). And a Jewish writer named Philo who lived in the first century wrote thatAbraham and the Jewish priest and prophetswere born of God. Warned by an angel, Mary and Joseph take Jesus and flee to safety in Egypt, escaping from the slaughter of the innocents. We imagine Joseph and his pregnant wife Mary arriving in Bethlehem just as she is about to give birth, only to be told that every hotel room in the city is full. Enraged, his brother determined to kill him, so Jacob fled. Jesus is circumcised (Luke 2:21) and then presented in the Jerusalem temple (Luke 2:22-38). Written byRodolfo Galvan Estrada III, Assistant Professor of the New Testament,Vanguard University. What truths might God have been revealing when He sent the Bread of Life, to a hungry, waiting world some two thousand years ago? His position came as a gifta gift he would have received, even if he hadnt manipulated the situation. This is not to say that John was unaware of Bethlehems significance. In this story of the destitute widow and the Bethlehem man who later married, protected, and provided for her, we see a picture of Jesus, our kinsman redeemer. Apostle Paul, who wrote the earliest documents of the New Testament, considered Jesus a descendant of David but does not associate him withBethlehem. According to the Gospel of Matthew, the first Gospel in the canon of the New Testament, Joseph and Mary were in Bethlehem when Jesus was born. Although its author would have known that Luke's Gospel placed the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, John appears to suggest that this was not the case. 7 Things to Know about Bethlehem. Two reasons: (a) the is no record of a census requiring a man to return to his ancestral home; (b) Lk 2:39 ('to a town of their own') implies that Joseph and Mary made Nazareth their home after the birth. God takes it a step further by sending His own son; also meeting the requirements that the Messiah would be from the line of David and from the little town of Bethlehem. Birth stories in Bethlehem solidified the claim that Jesus was a rightful descendant of King David. A careful reading of the birth narrative produces a different picture from the traditional Christmas plays. He argues the Gospel writers that town with another Bethlehem in Galilee . The Gospel of Luke, an account of Jesus life which was written during the same period as the Gospel of Matthew, has a different version of Jesus birth. But there are other reasons why it was important for Jesus to be born in the little town of Bethlehem., First, the Messiah was to be the son of David, the first King of Israel. While mentioning the birth of Jesus as, the Holy Quran says that the angel asked Mary as: "And . To which she responded, I am the Lords servant. Article Images Copyright 2022 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. To the people of the time the Gospels were written, it would have been much more important to them that Jesuss birth fell in line with Divinic prophecies, verses us today, who may not see this fact as important. Galilee is Jesus hometown. Whether or not 25 December is the actual date of birth of Jesus as is a highly debated issue. Why was Jesus born in Bethlehem rather than Nazareth? According to Matthew 2:1 and Luke 2:4, Jesus was born in Bethlehem and returned later to Nazareth where he was raised ( Matt. Jesus, according to some biblical sources, was born in this town some two millennia ago. Why not send His only Son, this long promised Savior, to the Holy City of Jerusalem or the cultural hub of ancient Athens? In one stream of Jewish thought, the Messiah was expected to be an everlasting ruler from the lineage of David. For on Him God the Father has placed His sealof approval. When the people challenged Him, He replied, It is My Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. In his recently published "Rabbi Jesus" (Doubleday), Chilton deflates the theory that Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea. But King David was not born in Nazareth, nor associated with that city. The relevance is not as strong. Growing up I was taught in church and at home that Mary and Joseph went to Bethlehem because of a census and they needed to be counted. He has Masters degrees in Biblical Exposition and Old Testament from Talbot School of Theology (BIOLA) and a PhD in New Testament from Andrews University. Yet Mark doesnt identify Jesus with the city Bethlehem. He stated, "And you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, you being least among the thousands of Judah, out of you He (Jesus) shall come forth (be born) to Me, that is to become Ruler in Israel . He argues that Jesus is never called "Jesus of Bethlehem" in the Gospels, but always "Jesus of Nazareth.". (Micah 5:2, HBFV throughout). We have people who come from all over. Jesus is born in amangerbecause all the travelers overcrowded the guest rooms. The Gospel says that the star of Bethlehem subsequently leads them to a house not a manger where Jesus has been born to Joseph and Mary. From Patrick Arnold, ABD, The location and modern identification of Gibeah is a long-disputed issue. Gibeah is commonly identified as modern Jaba is 9 km, so about six miles, suggested by Robinson; Albright suggestsed Tell el-Ful, 5 km north, a bit over 3 miles; Paul Lapp excavated there as well and raised doubts, A preliminary archaeological survey of Jaba (Kochavi 1972: 183) indicated Iron Age and Persian remains at the site, though more precise archaeological investigations are needed (Arnold). This is very important because there is absolutely no coincidence that Jesus is the son of God and according to the Bible and history we can fully understand and believe that Jesus was the one true son of God and messiah. That Bethlehem is so close to Jerusalem may explain Davids interest in taking the city after he becomes king. This miraculous account begins when God sent an angel named Gabriel to a Jewish teenager living in Nazareth. Other Jewish texts, such as the book 4 Ezra, written in the same century as the Gospels, and the Jewish sectarian Qumran literature, which is written two centuries earlier, also echo this belief. As authors Neil Wilson and Nancy Ryken Taylor explain, Coming to Jesus and believing in Him are comparable to eating breadthe latter leads to maintaining physical life, the former leads to spiritual life. These were valuable gifts, especially frankincense and myrrh, which were costly fragrances that had medicinal use. The Gospel of Luke includes no flight to Egypt, no paranoid King Herod, no murder of children and no wise men visiting baby Jesus. The two mentioned in this blog post are that the Messiah was to be the son of David, the King of Israel and the Messiah was to be in the line of David (Long, 2018). These were not the only ones. Although Roman empires were known for having censuses for tax purposes, somethings did not line up in the Roman history with this specific census. Israels greatest king and the prototype of the Messiah (Strauss, p. 504, 2007). It was a mainstay of the ancient diet, providing not just comfort but also the nutrition required for life at the time. Thus, [only] 3 miles north of Bethlehem does not fit. Strauss mentions that some scholars think that the Gospels included that Jesus was born in Bethlehem to simply fulfill the Divinic prophesies, but was not necessarily the real place Jesus was born (2020). https://www.britannica.com/story/was-jesus-really-born-in-bethlehem-why-the-gospels-disagree, Abraham and the Jewish priest and prophets. Birth stories in Bethlehem solidified the claim that Jesus was a rightful descendant of King David. According to Strauss, Luke said that a census conducted by the emperor Caesar Augustus (Luke 2:1) is what brought Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem (2007, p. 416), but Strauss clearly states that there is just not enough evidence to confirm or refute Lukes claim. The two accounts agree that Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, his mother Mary was betrothed to a man named Joseph, who was descended from King David and was not his biological father, and that his birth was caused by divine intervention. While I think for the audience of the time it was important to note the actual birthplace of Jesus, I dont feel as though for todays audience it holds much purpose. Yet Mark doesnt identify Jesus with the city Bethlehem. Here's why Gospels conflict on location of his birth; belief may have caught on because the Christian messiah is supposed to be descended from King. For Luke, it was a necessary absurdity. He stated, "And you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, you being least among the thousands of Judah, out of you He (Jesus) shall come forth (be born) to Me, that is to become Ruler in Israel . [twitter-follow screen_name='Plong42' show_count='yes'], Amy Anderson and Wendy Widder, Textual Criticism and the Bible. The census could have taken place right there in Nazareth but then the prophecy would not be accurate and would not set things up for other parts of the Bible. Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks,and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. These were not the only ones. God always has a plan and everything leading up to the birth and after fell into and met that plan. For Matthew it is because Joseph and Mary were originally from Bethlehem. According to scholars, Bethlehems size and location was rather insignificant at this time. God would send someone to solve the problems of Israel who ultimately fulfilled the role of David in that he liberates the nation from their oppressors and prepared the way for true worship in the Temple. That's where everyone who knows anything about him understands he was raised and spent his childhood there. When we can look at the why of Jesus and his birthplace, we can fully see Gods vision which as you said, The Messiah is therefore thought to be the ultimate fulfillment of the, son of David prophecies. To be honest, I have never given much thought as to why Jesus was born in Bethlehem.. Located six miles south of Jerusalem, this small trade-route village stood between the Holy City and Egypt. Phillip J. growing up and watching and doing other research I never thought of this aspect of why Jesus was to be born in Bethlehem and why that was significant to Gods vision along with Jesus throughout his life. The Gospel explains that after their visit, Joseph has a dream where he is warned of Herods attempt to kill baby Jesus. If they believed it and heard the prophecies, imagine their amazement. Why is Bethlehem so significant to Jesus? It didnt gain prominence until Herod built his fortresses, whose roads were shadowed by this ancient settlement. God promised Jesus, the Bread of Life, would come back when mankind first felt his need for a Savior. Was it in the middle of winter as is depicted in many Christmas scenes? It was important that Jesus be born in Bethlehem to fulfill this prophecy. Jesus, according to some biblical sources, was born in this town some two millennia ago. The Book of Revelation also affirms that Jesus was a descendant of David but does not mentionBethlehem. . A mild climate and plentiful rainfall, ensure that the town's fields, orchards, and vineyards thrive into consistently bountiful harvests. Of all the ancient cities in the world, why did God choose Bethlehem for Christs birth? His most recent book is Galatians: Freedom through Gods Grace (Wipf & Stock, 2019). Alexander the Great, whose empire reached from Macedonia to India, was claimed to be a son of Hercules. God would send someone to solve the problems of Israel who ultimately fulfilled the role of David in that he liberated the nation from their oppressors and prepared the way for true worship in the Temple (P.Long). Wise men come and visit Jesus with gifts, but also alert Herod to Jesus' presence. We learn though that Matthew and Luke both attest to the birthplace independently. According to the Gospel of Matthew, the first Gospel in the canon of the New Testament, Joseph and Mary were in Bethlehem when Jesus was born. In one stream of Jewish thought, the Messiah was expected to be an everlasting ruler from thelineage of David. The Romans conducted censuses in Palestine during the fall so that they could maximize the amount of tax revenue they collected from the people. Gibeah is north of Jerusalem, and thus more than 5 miles away from Bethlehem. But Bethlehem was no sprawling metropolis. The Roman Empire, from time to time, would conduct a census not merely to count people but also to find out what they owned. GOD creator of the universe, creator of life and the master of everything cannot be impotent. The Gospels different views might be hard to reconcile. However Jesus spent the majority of his life in Nazareth thus he is referred to as: Jesus of Nazareth.. In Luke's gospel the family was from Nazareth and traveled to Bethlehem. for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. In the case of Joseph, since he traced his lineage to David, who was born in Bethlehem (1Samuel 17:12), he had to go to the city for the census. Each day, God fed them manna, a bread-like substance, teaching them that He alone was their provider and sustainer. I doubt the full complexity and importance of these events would have been immediately present to Joseph and Mary, but I like to ponder if it was ever a discussion around the dinner table or if it is only something we have the privilege of understanding now that we see the whole story. Why Is it Important That Jesus Was Born in Bethlehem? During the period of Jesus life, there were multiple perspectives on the Messiah. This is a very important blog post because there is so much speculation and false interpretations about where and how Jesus was born, especially according to Strauss and many other scholars. John mentions a debate where some Jewish people referred to the prophecy which claimed that the messiah would be a descendant of David and come from Bethlehem. Not only was this common in the Roman Empire to travel for tax purposes, but it also allowed for the Messiah to fulfill a couple of prophecies. The fertile land is probably why the area was first called . The Davidic covenant describes the son of David, Solomon, in terms which cannot be fully applied to Solomon. After this, He proclaimed: I amthe bread of life. The Holy Bible Faithful Version offers interesting insight in regard to when such travel to Bethlehem took place. Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of . Strauss, Mark L. Four Portraits, One Jesus: A Survey of Jesus and the Gospels, Zondervan Academic, Grand Rapids, MI, 2020. Every Christmas, a relatively small town in the Palestinian West Bank comes center stage: Bethlehem. I knew it, we learned about it in the church, but the why had never occurred to me. He was born in Bethlehem, but He was raised in Nazareth, thus His title is "Jesus of Nazareth" not "Jesus of Bethlehem." "Nazareth" means "despised place." Its reputation is emphasized in the remark of John 1:46: "And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Sign up for The Conversations newsletter.]. Moreover, it is very important to note what P.Long mentions in the conclusion of this blog post stating The birth in Bethlehem therefore meets the expectation that the messiah would be from the line of David as well as from the town of Bethlehem (P.Long). 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called . But, I do not believe that the how on Mary and Joseph getting to Bethlehem holds major significance but that they did arrive and give birth to Jesus there as God said they would in Micah 5:2, But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days (ESV). But as ascholarof the New Testament, what I argue is that the Gospels offer an important insight into the Greco-Roman views ofethnic identity, including genealogies. What is the Mark of the Beast? Luke 2:1-7 1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled. that such a Roman taxation census would be taken in Judea (Luke 2:1 - 4) and the surrounding area. Stephen Carlson argues that Bethlehem was Joseph's actual family home, and not just his ancestral home. He was born in Duluth, Minnesota, but lived in Hibbing, Minnesota, from the age of six. For example, in his book The Historical Jesus (2008), Princeton New Testament historian James Charlesworth raised the question of whether or not Jesus was really born in Bethlehem at all. But King David was not born in Nazareth, nor associated with that city. Mary, before she left Nazareth for Bethlehem, was betrothed but had not consummated her marital relationship with Joseph. We find in the New Testament the lineage of Jesus traced back not only to Abraham (in Matthew 1) but also to Adam (Luke 3). But while he and his clan were still a ways off, his wife died giving birth to his youngest, Benjamin, the father of the Jewish tribe bearing his name. But, not trusting God to come through on His promise, or perhaps not understanding the prophesy previously spoken to his mother, Jacob tricked his father into giving him the blessing intended for his brother. According to the Gospels (Matthew 2; Luke 2), Bethlehem was the site of the Nativity of Jesus Christ. But I must admit I enjoyed and I was intrigued by your three reasons why it was important for Jesus to be born in Bethlehem. David was from the village of Bethlehem, a son of Jesse. Second, there has been no evidence that the people had to go back to their ancestral home to be counted (Strauss, 2007). Why did Saul Persecute the Jewish Christians? The nativity of Jesus, nativity of Christ, birth of Jesus or birth of Christ is described in the biblical gospels of Luke and Matthew.The two accounts agree that Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judaea, his mother Mary was engaged to a man named Joseph, who was descended from King David and was not his biological father, and that his birth was caused by divine intervention. Rodolfo Galvan Estrada III does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. It is amazing to read through these texts to see His Word play out. He was born in Congo (where he spent three years), but spent seven formative years in Philadelphia before we moved to Kentucky. It then mentions how Joseph, Mary and infant Jesus leave for Egypt to escape King Herods attempt to assassinate all young children. During my childhood I was not focused on the details of the birth of Jesus. God used Rome's desire to collect as much tax revenue as it could, coupled with a Jewish fascination of their ancestors, to fulfill an awesome prophecy concerning the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem! Why did they set up a house? David was from the village of Bethlehem, thus why it is significant that Jesus was born in Bethlehem although raised in Nazareth. They journey to Bethlehem in response to acensusthat the Roman emperor Caesar Augustus required for all the Jewish people. I chose this blog post because obviously this is a very well asked question. The differences between Matthew and Luke are nearly impossible to reconcile, although they do share some similarities. While it is fun to know the birth place of Jesus and write songs about it, it doesnt define our belief or relationship with God the way it may have to the much earlier audiences of Matthew and Lukes time. The Apostle Paul even wrote about his own lineage (Romans 11:1). However, they failed to recognize that David too started as a little and worked his way up to being King. It's not GOD the person depicted in the Bible. Also, Luke 2:6 implies that they were in Bethlehem for a while before Jesus was born ("while they were there, the days were completed "). All the Gibeahs are north of Jerusalem. This article is republished fromThe Conversationunder a Creative Commons license. Matthew has Mary and Joseph apparently living in Bethlehem. The Lord is with you! (Luke 1:28, NLT). He is described as a town elder, and therefore a more politically powerful man than a lowly shepherd.. Yet a ruler of Israel will come from you, one whose origins are from the distant past. Yet the New Testament Gospels do not agree about the details of Jesus birth in Bethlehem. You will conceive and give birth to a Son, and you will name Him Jesus.. Regardless of whether these claims were accepted at the time to be true, they shaped a persons ethnic identity, political status and claims to honor. God sent the Prince of Peace to give us peace, the Bread of life, birthed in the house of bread, to give us life, from now to eternity. This is not to say that John was unaware of Bethlehems significance. The Gospel says that the star of Bethlehem subsequently leads them to a house not amanger where Jesus has been born to Joseph and Mary. He was fromBethlehem. Take this campus for instance. Used in Temple worship, bread also came to symbolize Gods provision and presence and played an important role in Jewish Passover celebrations. Often times, people forget about the significance of Jesus born in Bethlehem and focus too much on where he was born specificallya manageras we see in Christmas plays and skits, just as Jarmichael stated in his blog post as well. The Holy Family travels to Bethlehem, where Mary gives birth to Jesus (Luke 2:1-20). The name Jesus came from the Aramaic name "Yeshua", from Hebrew Yah-shua, meaning "God is salvation (or deliverance)" in English, and was a popular name of the time.Jesus is often called "Jesus Christ" or "Christ". According to Strauss, Bethlehems theological significance is as the birthplace and hometown of David. But within the Hebrew Bible, a prophetic book called Micah, thought to be written around B.C. The location of Jesus birth was never specifically a sought-after piece of knowledge for me personally, as I did not think there was much significance to it. rather than a sign from God. They made sure that readers were aware of Jesus genealogical connection to King David with the mention of this city. When looking at the story of how Jesus was born, including the journey of Mary and Joseph, it was easy to see how Gods plan unfolded for Jesus. It is very important to understand and know the facts rather than what we imagine in a modern context. Birth stories in Bethlehem solidified the claim that Jesus was a rightful descendant of King David. The self-righteous Jewish Pharisees used their physical lineage to boast how spiritually superior they thought they were compared to others (John 8:33 - 39, Matthew 3:9). Yes, I think that is one of the many important elements of the birth Story. Honestly, I was one who focused on the minor details of the birth of Jesus, growing up and watching it played out in skits and plays for Christmas and so I neglected to think about the why like why Jesus was to be born in Bethlehem and why that was so significant to Gods plan and for Jesus throughout his life and ministry. We serve a life-giving God of abundance who provides daily for our needs. 144 views, 2 likes, 3 loves, 7 comments, 0 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Cornerstone Elim Church: Sunday 11th Dec 2022 Today, Bethlehem's main point of interest is the Church of Nativity, to which tourists flock around Christmas time. Luke also mentions that Joseph, Mary and Jesus leave Bethlehem eight days after his birth and travel toJerusalemand then toNazareth. The Gospels of Mark and John reveal that they either had trouble linking Bethlehem with Jesus, did not know his birthplace, or were not concerned with this city. For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heavenand gives life to the world (John 6:32-33). Absolutely not. It helps give a sense of understanding to everything and why it was so significant to the birth story and why it had to happen in Bethlehem, I definitely learned something new about the birth story after reading this post. I feel like from todays world and the historic and religious world it is totally different in how we would react to things and how Jesus and Mary would react to certain situations. And He will be the source of peace (Micah 5:2, 4a, 5a, NLT). 91 views, 5 likes, 3 loves, 4 comments, 0 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Living Word Lutheran Church: Second Sunday of Advent, December 4, 2022. So today, when the importance of Bethlehem is heard in Christmas carols or displayed in. Understanding that Jesus was born in the small village of Bethlehem in a small barn runs contrary to what most people think when they say He was born in a hotel or an inn. Regardless of whether these claims were accepted at the time to be true, they shaped a persons ethnic identity, political status and claims to honor. And He will stand to lead His flock with the Lords strength, in the majesty of the name of the Lord His God. Thus, what P.Long mentions at the end of the blog post is the most pivotal point because he states that The messiah is therefore thought to be the ultimate fulfillment of the son of David prophecies. As Ralph W. Sockman once phrased it, "The hinge of history is on the door of a Bethlehem stable." We imagine a silent nightbut remember, the inns were full, and celebrants must have roamed the streets. The Gospel explains that after their visit, Joseph has adreamwhere he is warned of Herods attempt to kill baby Jesus. Caesar Augustus, who was the first Roman emperor, was proclaimed as a descendant of Apollo. While the town was likely small, it was well within the range of Sauls capital; elders from Bethlehem would have been well aware of court politics. When he is anointed the city is controlled by the Jebusites, prompting some scholars to wonder if David was a Jebusite himself! ." The birth in Bethlehem therefore meets the expectation that the messiah would be from the line of David as well as from the town of Bethlehem. (P. Long). Inn kataluma = guest room. (Luke 2:7 and 22:11 and Mark 14:14) Bethlehem, 3 miles from Gibeah? And as for Kataluma? Who Are the Seven Angels in Revelation 8:2? Bethlehem was also the hometown of Ruths father-in-law, Elimelech, and where she met Boaz, her kinsman redeemer. Luke says these shepherds were notified about Jesus location in Bethlehem by angels. When I was younger, I always knew Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem and gave birth to Jesus in a stable, but I never knew why. This village that birthed our Redeemer has a rich history of redemption. Bethlehem is only 5 and a half miles from Jerusalem, and 3 miles from Gibeah. In theGreco-Roman era, birth stories and genealogical claims were used to establish rights to rule and link individuals with purported ancestral grandeur. I find it interesting to think about what Mary and Joseph would have thought going back to Bethlehem the town of David. Matthew focuses on the aspect of fulfilling of the prophecy in Micah, while Luke instead takes on a different perspective and he focuses more on the lineage of David more broadly. Other Jewish texts, such as the book4 Ezra, written in the same century as the Gospels, and the Jewish sectarianQumran literature, which is written two centuries earlier, also echo this belief. After the birth, Joseph and Mary are visited not by wise men butshepherds, who were also overjoyed at Jesus birth. I never thought that Jesus birthplace was extremely significant. This again pointed back to Christ as Redeemer. They made sure that readers were aware of Jesus genealogical connection to King David with the mention of this city. The gospels never say that Joseph was from Nazareth. So I have old data there, and I do not have your atlas handy to check! During the period of Jesus life, there were multiple perspectives on theMessiah. The Gospels different views might be hard to reconcile. It may seem like too much of a coincidence to some more subjective scholars. Was Jesus raised in Bethlehem? God chose an unknown and likely unesteemed girl from a seemingly insignificant Galilean village to give birth to a baby who would one day save the world. For the past 25 years or so, the "Third Wave" of historical Jesus scholarship has been in full swing. Genealogical claims were made for important ancient founders and political leaders. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. A careful reading of the gospels makes this more evident. Overjoyed, they worship Jesus and present gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. However, this view does not hold true considering the validity of the Gospels and the truth of the Bible, but can definitely be a common conclusion if you dont understand the validity of the Gospels. According to the Gospel of Matthew, the first Gospel in the canon of the New Testament, Joseph and Mary were in Bethlehem when Jesus wasborn. He did not arrive on the Earth with the glory of heaven reigning down with Him, rather he humbled himself to be born in a barn in a small town of Bethlehem surrounded by farm animals. Bethlehem was the city of King David and the expected place of the messiah's birth. One of the most fascinating facts about the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem is how God used the powerful but sometimes brutal Roman Empire, coupled with a Jewish fixation on their ancestors, to fulfill a 700-year-old prophecy! The story begins with wise men who come to the city of Jerusalem after seeing a star that they interpreted as signaling the birth of a new king. It was a staple in the ancient diet and provided not only comfort but nourishment necessary for survival. The Gospel of Luke starts with Joseph and a pregnant Mary in Galilee. The image of Mary going into labor in the lobby of the local Comfort Inn is pure fantasy. This is where David was from. I connected better in reading it and got a better understanding of Jesus and Mary life style compared to my life style. Some scholars suggest that Jesus was born in Nazareth and that the Bethlehem nativity narratives reflect a desire by the Gospel writers to present his birth as the fulfillment of prophecy. Consequently, no one ever says that he is "from" Duluth or "of" Duluth or was "brought up" there. Take todays times for instance. Jennifer Slatteryis a writer and speaker whos addressed womens groups, church groups,Biblestudies, and writers across the nation. I did not realize that the line of David or for Him to be the first King of Israel was the main reason that He was born in Bethlehem. by analize701: 7:57am On Dec 19, 2017 spartan117 : Bethlehem is a small town in Nazareth just like daura is a town in katsina The village was still quite small and unimportant in 6 B.C. But as a scholar of the New Testament, what I argue is that the Gospels offer an important insight into the Greco-Roman views of ethnic identity, including genealogies. The Gospel of Luke starts with Joseph and a pregnant Mary in Galilee. At the time of Jesus' birth, the entire Mediterranean world was governed from Rome. He was from Bethlehem. Thus, Luke's record of this taxation reveals that the birth of Jesus took place during the autumn" (Appendix E). Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, . Why did they require the parents of Jesus to make the more than 80-mile (about 129 kilometers) journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem? So he can say, "originally from Congo" but that he "grew up in Pennsylvania." I asked my daughter, also born in Congo, but living in Kentucky since she was eleven. To Recap. May everything you have said about me come true (Luke 1:38, NIV). What time of the year did the Roman census take place which forced the family of Jesus to travel to Bethlehem? In fact, this scenario is highly unlikely since it is doubtful that the two would attempt to make the arduous 70-mile trip from Nazareth in the final stages of her pregnancy. We call it the nativity, and Scripture preserves this ancient event in Luke 2:1-20. I can only imagine what the locals thought when they heard that the Messiah had been born in their hometown. In Mary, we see the beauty and impact of humble obedience. This information, however, begs a question. Luke mentions that Jesus is not only genealogically connected to King David, but also born in Bethlehem, the city of David., [Deep knowledge, daily. Some do not mention Bethlehem or Jesus birth at all. Not only the biblical significance but also what it shows us as followers of Christ too. - Revelation 13:16-18. The Book of Revelation also affirms that Jesus was a descendant of David but does not mention Bethlehem. When looking at the prophecies and history before Jesus was born, it is truly amazing to see God work. For Jews, especially those who lived in the land after returning from Babylonian captivity, tribal identification and line of descent were quite important. Early Christian converts who relied on Mark's Gospel had no reason to believe that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, and would likely have believed that Nazareth was his birthplace. So today, when the importance of Bethlehem is heard in Christmas carols or displayed in Nativity scenes, the name of the town connects Jesus to an ancestral lineage and the prophetic hope for a new leader like King David. In short, it was far better for the Romans and Israelites to handle taxes in the fall of the year, when it was easier to travel (e.g. He made this powerful I Am statement shortly after feeding a hungry crowd using five small barley loaves and two fish. Joseph and Mary live as a betrothed couple in Nazareth when the angel Gabriel visits Mary (Luke 1:26-38). Jesus was originally born in Bethlehem, and then moved to Egypt to escape Herod. Read theoriginal article, which was published December 15, 2020. To understand the significance of this, we must look at Israels history, preserved in Scripture. NB: Working with Logos on an iPad so, pages no page numberswe both need a better way to spend Christmas Eve!). Following Gods leading, he headed toward Bethlehem. It is doubtful there was an inn, and if there was it was the only inn in the tiny village. Daniel 3:19-27 Who is the Fourth Man in the Fiery Furnace? In Jesus' country, anointing was done to show that a . Christians identify Bethlehem with the birth of Jesus because of the following reasons: 1.Prophecy from the Old Testament But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, out of you will come one who will be ruler over Israel, says Micah 5:2, but you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, out of you will come one who will . These were valuable gifts, especially frankincense and myrrh, which were costly fragrances that had medicinal use. This obedience was likely challenged a relatively short time later when Caesar Augustus decreed a census that forced her to travel with her husband some 80 mileson donkey, foot, or bothto Bethlehem, Josephs ancestral home. The Gospels of Mark and John reveal that they either had trouble linking Bethlehem with Jesus, did not know his birthplace, or were not concerned with this city. When we are able to look at the why of Jesus and his birth place, we are able to fully see Gods plan and watch how it unfolds from the birth of Jesus to the end. Likewise, Psalm 110 describes the victory of the son of David in battle in cosmic terms which go well beyond the hopes of any given king of Israel. Then, after generations of all of these vivid illustrations, God spoke more directly in Micah 5:2, stating, But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Strauss says in Chapter fourteen; we have reason to believe that Jesus family had an awareness that they were descendants of David (414). Luke mentions that Jesus is not only genealogically connected to King David, but also born in Bethlehem, the city of David.. Swen Pfrtner/picture alliance via Getty Images, Sign up for The Conversations newsletter, Abraham and the Jewish priest and prophets, Assistant Professor / Associate Professor / Professor. Fourteen years later, God called him home. This text is repeated in Matthews version. This is because it led the pagan . (Genesis 3:15). As the Greek historian Polybius explains, the renown deeds of ancestors are part of the heritage of posterity.. A lot of people who attend Grace are not from Grand Rapids or even Michigan at that. Why Do the Gospels Differ on Jesus' Birth. In Matthew's the family was apparently from Bethlehem and traveled to Nazareth after a side trip to Egypt (Moses, get it). The word Christ comes from the Greek word christos and means "the one marked on the head with oil" or "the anointed one". The gospel of Luke tells the story of Jesus' birth in Bethlehem, and how he was born rather than in Nazareth because his parents were from that town. Long has taught full time at Grace Christian University since 1998, specializing in Bible and Biblical languages. What makes it more difficult is that neither the other Gospels, that of Mark and John, mentions Jesus birth or his connection to Bethlehem. So today, when the importance of Bethlehem is heard in Christmas carols or displayed in Nativity scenes, the name of the town connects Jesus to an ancestral lineage and the prophetic hope for a new leader like King David. Everyone knows that Jesus was born in Bethlehem and laid in a manger because there was no room in the inn. Almost every word of that phrase has been exploded into a plot point for Christmas pageants. God himself took on the form of a human to show and set an example for us. Bethlehem means house of bread Bethlehem is located in the hill country right outside of Jerusalem. Genealogical claims were made for important ancient founders and political leaders. However, people of Jesus' day knew he was from Nazareth, "Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Said to be the oldest town in Palestine, Scripture first mentions Bethlehem, initially termed Ephratah or Ephrath in Genesis 35 when Jewish Patriarch Jacob returned to his homeland after spending over a decade in Paddan Aram. Strauss states that Bethlehems theological significance was that it was the birthplace and hometown of David. It then mentions how Joseph, Mary and infant Jesus leave for Egypt to escape King Herods attempt toassassinateall young children. I wonder if it ever clicked for them later in Jesus life when he was doing that their sons birth in Bethlehem was significant not only in location but in relation to his Davidic lineage. . The opening chapter of Mark says that Jesus is from Nazareth of Galilee. This is repeated throughout the Gospel on severaloccasions, and Bethlehem is never mentioned. 2 This was the first enrolment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Bethlehem is a small, obscure town only ten kilometers south of Jerusalem. All rights reserved. Mat 2:1 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, Mat 2:2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? There is no guiding star in Lukes story, nor do the shepherds bring gifts to baby Jesus. Here's why He was born there. According to Four Portraits, One Jesus by Mark L. Strauss, Bethlehems theological significance is as the birthplace and hometown of David, Israels greatest king and the prototype of the Messiah (Strauss, 2007, p. 416). What was not expected is that this person would be quite literally Gods son! This is true but through our reading I have come to find out that there are more reasons of their travels than just the census. Greetings, favored woman! the angel said. The authors go on to state, Thus bread is a symbol that portrays salvation history: the daily provision of God, sustenance through desert times, partaking of Christs death, and participation in the coming kingdom through faith in Christ.. Both the Holy Quran and Bible (New Testament, Luke 2:7-8) imply that Jesus as was not born in winter and that it was a season in which the dates are ripe. Raymond Brown, another scholar on the Gospels, also states that the two narratives are not only different they are contrary to each other in a number of details.. First, there has been no record of a nation-wide census. I would never think that the place of birth would impact Jesus until the way you described in your post. In fact, we see this truth revealed throughout the nativity story. Overjoyed, they worship Jesus and present gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Advice and Safety Tips for Online Dating: An Interview with a Christian Online Dating Expert, 6 Ways to Not Dread the In-Laws for the Holidays, 10 Signs You Might Be a Scrooge This Holiday Season, How to Keep the Spirit Alive When Dad Can't Be Home for Christmas, 10 Things You Need to Know about the Unforgivable Sin, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. When the wise men went to Herod with the news that a child had been born to be the king of the Jews, he made a plan to kill all young children to remove the threat to his throne. Jesus is a fictional character resourted to inorder to faument the revolt against the Roman empire. For example,Ion, the founder of the Greek colonies in Asia, was considered to be a descendant of Apollo. Strauss says, Bethlehems theological significance is as the birthplace and hometown of David, Israels greatest king and the prototype of the Messiah (Strauss, 504). Fuller Theological Seminary is a member of the Association of Theological Schools. Where in the Old Testament does it tell of the birth of Jesus?At this time of year we sing the carol O Little Town of Bethlehem. When the wise men went to Herod with the news that a child had been born to be the king of the Jews, he made a plan to kill all young children to remove the threat to his throne. We even have people from Congo on our campus. It was a census conducted by the emperor Caesar Augustus (Luke 2:1) (Strauss, p. 504). Matthew also says that after Herod dies from an illness, Joseph, Mary and Jesus do not return to Bethlehem. Ablind beggarin the Gospel of Mark describes Jesus as both from Nazareth and the son of David, the second king of Israel and Judah during 1010-970 B.C. A relatively small town yet Mark doesnt identify Jesus with the why was jesus born in bethlehem rather than nazareth strength, in terms can... 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