O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM

John 7:42 Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. THE PLACE OF SORROW [Gn. 35]

-the 1st mention of Bethlehem is a time of sorrow and death--- reminding us of the curse sin has brought upon mankind [35:16-19, 3:16]

-Rachel, beloved wife of Jacob, while dying names her son "Benoni" (son of my sorrow) -consider that Christ, born in Bethlehem was the man of sorrows for our sins [Is. 53:3, I Cor. 15:3]

-note also the sorrow of Rachel [Mt. 2:16-18]

II. THE PLACE OF SOVEREIGNS [Ju. 12:8]

-the judge Ibzan was from Bethlehem

-Jacob renamed his son "Benjamin" son of my right hand, Christ sits at the Father's right hand! [Gn. 35:18]

-Saul, the 1st king was a Benjamite with a connection to Bethlehem [I Sm. 9:1-2, 25-10:2]

-David, the greatest king of ancient Israel was from Bethlehem [I Sm. 16:1, 13]

-Christ the King of Kings was born in Bethlehem and kings came to honor Him [Micah 5:2, Mt. 2]

III. THE PLACE OF KINSMAN REDEEMER [Ruth 1:22, 2:4, 4:11]

-Boaz, the most famous kinsman redeemer of ancient Israel was from Bethlehem

-Christ, became our kinsman through the incarnation, that he might redeem us sinners [Gal. 4:4-5]

Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

IV. THE PLACE OF LIFE-GIVING WATER [2 Samuel 23:14-17]

-because of their willingness to sacrifice their lives David said it was their blood

-Christ offers the living water [Jn. 7:37ff, 4:13-14]

V. THE PLACE WHERE THE INCARNATION WAS MANIFESTED [Mt. 2:1-11]

1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

VI. THE PLACE OF THE SHEPHERDS [Lk. 2]

-David had been a shepherd

-they heard the Word [v. 8-14]

-they headed to Worship [v. 15-16]

-they heralded their Witness [v. 17-18]

-He honored their Work [John 10:11, Hebrews 13:20, 1 Peter 5:4]