Why Bethlehem?

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the class of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” Micah 5:2 (NIV)

Bethlehem was a small insignificant town of maybe thirty five families and yet it was chosen to be the birth place of the greatest person ever born on this earth. It was located about fifteen miles south of Jerusalem. Everyone thought that the King should be born in the King David’s city but rather the King would be born in King David’s town.

When the shepherds went to the town to find the baby they did not have too much difficulty as there were only a few houses and stables. They just looked for one where there was a candle burning.

But why Bethlehem? It has been said that the stable where Jesus was born was the same place that Boaz had his threshing floor and it was there that Ruth came to lay at his feet. It was there Ruth and Boaz lived and it was there that Obed their son, Jesse their grandson and David his son were all born. The city grew more famous because it was the birth place and home of Israel’s greatest king, King David.

But that was not the only reason why Bethlehem was chosen to be the birth place of the King. Bethlehem means house of bread. It was during the time of Boaz that there were rich crops of grain growing around Bethlehem and it was there that flour was produced to feed many of the citizens of larger cities around them, maybe even Jerusalem even though Jerusalem did not belong to Israel during the time of Boaz. But it is of even greater significance that Jesus should be born in the “house of bread.” Jesus was known as the “Bread of Life.” Bethlehem may have been famous for producing the grain to make bread but it would be known for the birth place of the “Bread of Life.”

When we eat of the earthly bread we will have to come back again and again for more and more. That is why Jesus told the disciples that they were to pray that the Lord would give them their daily bread. However, when we feed on the “Bread of Life” we will never hunger again. He has promised to satisfy our hunger.

When the magi came to search for the baby king they went to the royal city of Jerusalem. The scribes searched the scriptures to find where the Messiah should be born and they found that Micah said he would come out of Bethlehem. So it was there that they found the King. Today we do not need to go to Bethlehem to find the Messiah. He is knocking at the door of our hearts. Will you let Him in? Do you have room in your heart for Jesus?