Power Love & Miracles
The Bible Unplugged Podcast
The Birth of Jesus in Bethlehem
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The Birth of Jesus in Bethlehem

There are details in this story we assume are true, but just didn't happen. I believe you will be surprised by what you learn

Welcome

•        Hi. I’m Brent and this is The Bible Unplugged podcast.

•        We’re continuing the series “Advent Unplugged” series by discussing the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem

•        Warning: I will challenge some of your beliefs about the story. There are details we assume as true that are actually faulty interpretation

•        My hope is that you will finish this episode with something to think about.

When Gospels Collide ad

•        Let you know about one of my books that can be helpful as you follow along with the Advent Unplugged.

•        When Gospels Collide combines the four Gospels into one continuous narrative. As you read through the book you get the details from all of the sources without having to flip back and forth through different books of the Bible.

•        This may be especially helpful in this series since the complete story of Jesus’s birth is in more than one gospel

•        When Gospels Collide is available on Amazon. Here is a link: When Gospels Collide

Why Bethlehem

•        In prophecy

•        Micah 5:2- But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, being small among the clans of Judah, out of you one will come forth to me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.

•        Emphasizes Jesus as descendant of David

How Jesus got to Bethlehem

•        Caesar Augustus

•        Greater than his granduncle Julius Caesar

•        Responsible for “pax romana”- greatest peace time in Roman history

•        Enrollment

•        Politically correct word for “taxation”

•        Happened across the Roman Empire

•        Occurred in stages

•        Most translations say that this was the first enrollment during the governorship of Quirinius, but likely means that this happened during the first time Quirinius was in charge. He ruled twice, and there were two Roman politicians by that name at that time.

•        Most other countries- people enrolled wherever they lived

•        Israel- enrollment in ancestral hometowns since property and assets were considered tribal rather than personal

•        Joseph and Mary

•        Likely faced a deadline to go to Bethlehem

•        Joseph took Mary to protect her

•        Possibly registered as married (betrothed)- Mary had to be there

Messiah’s birth

Luke 2:6- It happened, while they were there, that the day had come that she should give birth.

•        It happened- ginomai [G1096]- “came into being,” circumstantial occurrence. Jesus’ birth was a circumstance of being in Bethlehem, not planned by humans

•        While they were there- no indication of how long they were there

Luke 2;7- She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in bands of cloth and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no room for them in the inn.

•        Firstborn son

•        Gets double portion of inheritance (De. 21:17)

•        Belongs to God (Ex. 13:2)

•        Bands of cloth

•        Traditional in that time

•        Job 38 speaks of God swaddling the earth during creation

•        Feeding trough- manger [French “to eat”]

•        Inn:

•        Luke 2:6- kataluma [G2646]- guest room. Same word in Luke 22:11 as the upper room during the last supper

•        Luke 10:34- pandocheion [G3829]- inn, hotel. Story of the good samaritan

•        Inn- Mary and Joseph were not welcomed in the family home

•        Luke was just being polite as usual

Luke 2:8-9- There were shepherds in the same country staying in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock. Behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

•        Night shift shepherds- lowest of the lowest class of workers

•        Angel stood by them- on their level

•        Glory of the Lord- glory of Yahweh. More than a “glow,” was a tangible feeling of God’s presence

•        They were terrified- you would be too

Luke 2:10- The angel said to them, "Don't be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people.

•        Don’t be afraid- we hear that hundreds of times in the Bible and several times in the Christmas story: Zacharias, Mary, Joseph, shepherds

•        Don’t be afraid- reassurance we hear from angels showing up

•        Good news- from same word as “gospel”

Luke 2:12- This is the sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a feeding trough.

•        Not very many newborns in feeding troughs

•        Something the shepherds felt comfortable about

Luke 2:13-14- Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will toward men.”

•        With the angel- not in the sky, but on same level as the shepherds

•        Heavenly army- not a choir, but an army

•        Yahweh Sabbaoth- Lord of armies, not hosts

•        2 Kings 6:17- Elisha prays that his servant would see God’s protection. Chariots and horses of fire surrounded them.

Luke 2:15- It happened, when the angels went away from them into the sky, that the shepherds said one to another, "Let's go to Bethlehem, now, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.“

•        Let’s go to Bethlehem, now- did not wait for permission

Luke 2:17- When they saw it, they publicized widely the saying which was spoken to them about this child.

•        Shepherds were the first evangelists

•        I Corinthians 1:27- God chose the foolish things to confound the wise

What we learn from this

•        There are no circumstances or coincidences- there is meaning to be learned in everything

•        Not everyone will believe you and family may be the worst

•        God values everything and everyone

•        Angels are not “above us”- Psalm 8:5- Man created “a little lower than God”- the word is Elohim [H430], not angels [H4398]

•        God can and does use anyone regardless of status

What do we do with this

•        Mary and Joseph were looked down on by family and society. When we see someone who doesn’t live up to the standards of others, have compassion on them and share God’s love

•        God’s timing is amazing. Many situations and events led to Mary and Joseph being in Bethlehem at that time. Look for situations and circumstances in your life. Where is God leading and what is God up to?

•        When you are in difficult situations, remember God is already at work orchestrating a demonstration of His power and glory in your life

The conclusion

•        Well, the music in the background means I have run out of things to say, but I’ll have more later.

•        I hope this has been helpful. If so, give this podcast a high rating and share it with others.

•        Join in for future episodes when we:

•        We dive in to the details about the Magi visiting Jesus and his family.

•        My prayer for you is that you will be sensitive and open to God’s voice even when the message has no words

•        Have a blessed week

The disclaimers

•        Just to let you know

•        All opinions are my own. If you agree, keep listening. If you don’t… keep listening, you may learn something

•        All Bible quotations come from the World English Bible which is a public domain work

•        Our show theme song is “Awesome Call” by Kevin MacLeod and is available under a Creative Commons license

•        The content of this podcast is copyrighted 2024 by J. Brent Eaton

•        This has been a Power Love and Miracles production

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