Down a Road Toward Christmas: Bethlehem - A Place of Destiny

From Jerusalem we hurry down the road to that little village of Bethlehem. It was an old city, having been built by one of the sons of Caleb. It was here that Ruth had met Boaz. It was here that David had watched his father's flocks, and was later anointed as king. The prophet Micah had even predicted that the Messiah would be born here. This small village was to become center stage for the most dramatic event the world had ever known. It was here that God was to clothe Himself in flesh and come as our Savior. This aspect of the story is found in Philippians 2:5-8.

Before Bethlehem, Christ was equal with God; in fact, He was God by His very form. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God" (John 1:1). Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus constantly emphasized the fact that He was equal with God: "Jesus said to the Pharisees, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I AM'" (John 8:58). "He who has seen Me has seen the Father also" (John 14:9). "And I am no more in the world; and yet they themselves are in the world, and I come to Thee. Holy Father, keep them in Thy name, the name which Thou hast given Me, that they may be one, even as We are" (John 17:11).

But Jesus did not cling to this position tenaciously. Christ knew that the glory and honor would be His only as a result of Bethlehem and Calvary.

In this great text, Paul tells us that Christ emptied Himself. He divested Himself of all His privileges and the glory of heaven. He did this for you and for me. As I reflected upon this reality, God asked me a question: "Max, are you willing to give up a position that you might feel is rightly yours to do My will?" Am I willing to be emptied so that I can better serve Jesus Christ?

But, not only did Christ empty Himself of all that was rightly His, He became a bondservant...a volunteer slave...a slave by choice. Just think - Jesus Christ is the only person in the history of this world who was born a slave by choice. For Jesus it was always, "Not My will but Yours be done."

And Jesus knew that this volunteer slavery would lead Him to the cross. The hymn writer has captured this well when he wrote: "Born to die that man might live, Came to earth new life to give." When you and I were born, we were not conscious of death...but not so with Jesus. He was born knowing that before Him lay the agonies of death. He was born knowing that before Him lay the pain of the nails and the thorns. He knew all this and yet He was willing to take that responsibility.

Without Bethlehem...there would be NO HOPE. All would be despair. But Jesus Christ came to give us hope. "The hopes and fears of all the years are met in Thee tonight."

Without Bethlehem...there would be NO JOY. All would be hollow amusement. But Jesus Christ came to give us a reason to rejoice. "Joy to the world, the Lord has come!"

Without Bethlehem...there would be NO MEANING FOR LIFE. All would be vanity. But Jesus Christ came to give us a reason to live. In Him we find the true essence of life. And in that essence we proclaim, "O come, let us adore Him...Christ, the Lord."

Friends, Bethlehem is the place where God set into motion His great plan to redeem a lost mankind! Only one destination yet remains on this "Road Toward Christmas." Share with us next week as we sit beside the fires of a group of shepherds who are challenged with the most amazing announcement the world had ever heard.