Thought for Today
Genesis 35:19 So Rachel died, and she was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem),
Micah 5:2 But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days.
Luke 2:4 Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David.
Matthew 2:1 In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem,
“Luke 2:4 (NKJV) states that Joseph went up from Galilee into Judea. This is because the city of Bethlehem is elevated at about 2543 feet above sea level (1493 feet higher than Nazareth). Bethlehem is also located in the Judean Mountains, making for rugged terrain during their journey . . . While the exact time their journey would have taken is unknown, educated guesses place the number somewhere between four days and a week.” (www.artzabox.com)
This past Sunday was the first Sunday of Advent. Metaphorically, we are on that journey to Bethlehem alongside Joseph and Mary, traveling toward the birth of Jesus, the Christ. The Bible only gives us limited knowledge about that journey. Geography only gives us a few further details. We know the distance from their home in Nazareth “as the crow flies.” But, of course, neither Joseph nor Mary was a crow, and neither could fly. We know Mary’s advanced stage of pregnancy. Pretty much everything else we have come to ‘know’ and ‘understand’ about that journey is speculation.
Most of us know the story about the Roman census. We know that Joseph was descended from David. Some have probably even heard that the name Bethlehem means “house of bread” in Hebrew. We might be aware of Micah’s prophecy. But, have you ever wondered ‘why Bethlehem’? Why was Jesus not born in Jerusalem, David’s capital? Wouldn’t Jesus’ birth be more well known at the time had it occurred in a larger city, maybe even one of the Roman towns?
I must admit to a certain fascination with the whole idea of ‘the journey.’ Traditionally, Mary is presented as riding on a donkey. Maybe so. Maybe not, the Bible doesn’t tell us. We don’t know the exact route they took. There were no interstate highways, no autobahns. This was truly a cross-country trek. At best there were the dirt paths of the Jews and the paved roads of the Roman occupation troops.
This Advent, I am especially aware that the physical distance of their journey is much less important than the spiritual or salvific distance of that journey. When Joseph and Mary began their journey, the world existed in a far different relationship with it’s Creator God than existed after Jesus’ birth. Before, the Messiah was only anticipated. Afterward, the Messiah was Incarnate and is now always with us.
However many miles the journey, however arduous the journey, the worlds before and after that epic journey are separated by an unimaginable chasm. Before the journey, there was only the promise. Micah and other prophets heard and shared God’s promise. There was hope, but that hope must have seemed far distant. With that birth, the promise was fulfilled. John captured the magnitude of it all in 3:16-17. God sent God’s own Son to save the world.
We read in the New Testament about Joseph’s and Mary’s visitations from the angels. Matthew tells us, “1:20. . . "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. Luke tells us, “1:26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary.”
We have been taught that these angelic appearances helped resolve all of the issues, questions, and difficulties in the minds of Mary and Joseph. Some of us (me), have blithely assumed that they just took off for Bethlehem late in Mary’s third trimester calmly assured that everything would be okay. This Advent, I am digging a little deeper into the entire event. I’m remembering the birth of our own first child, difficult enough even without the Messianic implications. And I am thankful for the faithfulness of Joseph and Mary. Eternally so.
Stay safe, journey with the blessed couple this Advent, trust God,
Pastor Ray