The Birth of the King 

Scripture Reading: Matthew 2:1-8.

  Jesus our King was born in Bethlehem of Judea. Bethlehem is a small town just south of Jerusalem. It previously had been called Ephrata. It also was called the City of David.
  The Hebrew word Bethlehem means "House of Bread". It is located in a fertile country area, built above fields on a limestone ridge about 2,500 feet in elevation. According to most historic sources Jesus was born in a cave that was near the city of Bethlehem, in a shepherds field. The same shepherds field where Boaz and Ruth met and fell in love. In this field the shepherds raised sheep that were unblemished. They would be led from Bethlehem to Jerusalem for sacrifice at the temple for the Passover Feast. In the cave Joseph and Mary would have laid Jesus on a stone to sleep.
  What a prophetic picture! At the House of Bread would come forth for the world the Bread of Life. He would be born where His ancestors met hundreds of years beforehand. He is the ultimate fulfillment of the unblemished lamb. He is the Passover Lamb of God.

Discussion:

1. After reading Matthew 2:1-8 contrast the attributes of Herod and Jesus. How did they relate to this world?

2. What other important events occurred at Bethlehem? Genesis 48:7; Ruth 1:22; 1 Samuel 16:1-13; Micah 5:2.

3. Sometimes in a very ordinary place the Lord appears and confronts us. Relate the shepherds field to our lives. Another example of the Lord appearing and confronting can be found in John 7:37-44.

4. How has Jesus been the "Bread" for your life? John 6:28-51. Give some applicable examples.

5. To help us understand the unblemished nature of Jesus read Isaiah 53, John 1:29-36; Revelation 15:1-4.

6. If you have time contrast Luke 2:1-7.

Discovery Section

  What have we discovered about the King today? Who is He compared to Herod or any earthly ruler? How different is our King? That difference is quite evident in every "ordinary" aspect of life. Jesus is in every aspect of life if we let Him be. So many times we say to ourselves or others that God is not concerned about this or that. He is this or that. He is everywhere and everything.
  Don't box Him in. He is concerned about what we consider mundane as much as what we consider holy. We are living in prophetic fulfilled times. There is a feast to dine at today. Every moment of the ordinary is supernatural.