Bethlehem- House of Bread

1After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi^a from the east came to Jerusalem 2and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

3When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:

6“ ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;

for out of you will come a ruler

who will shepherd my people Israel. (Matthew 2:1-6)

Thoughts: Jesus was born in Bethlehem in fulfillment of the prophecy in Micah 5:2 (quoted in verse 6 above).  The name "Bethlehem" means "House of bread."  It is perhaps an appropriate place for the Bread of the World to be born.  When we eat the bread in communion we remember His body broken for us.  He is our fulfillment.  Man does not live by bread alone- but there is a spiritual deep hunger that is only filled by God Himself.  In Christ's birth God shows He cares enough to come down to meet our needs. 

     Herod was disturbed because he was only concerned about material goods, and his own material greed.  Herod had many palaces and was considered great because of his building and luxuries (like his palace that looked over Bethlehem), Masada, and the Temple he was rebuilding to become a great (but short lived) wonder of the world.  It is disturbing to hear of another king.  Jesus did not come to steal Herod's throne, He came to show where the true throne is.  Herod is the usurper as he refused to rule as a steward to the One True King.  
       We all must give up every material good we have some day.  We know that.  We also know that the more we have the temptation is to worry more and want even more.  Jesus came to fulfill our deep longing and set us free from enslavement to the materialism of this world.  God does care about our physical needs, but it is not all.  Our bodies and this life is like a tent we live in on our way to a palace.  We do not need to hold onto the tent poles but to work and long for the palace to come.    

Prayer: Lord, thank you for coming to show your care- about us- physically, mentally, spiritually, socially.  Help us to not neglect our souls in a foolish and vain effort to save our bodies.