“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf.” (Micah 5:2, NLT)
Most scholars believe that the prophet Micah spoke some 510 years before the coming of Jesus. When Micah wrote the words from scripture included above, Jerusalem was trying ever so diligently to rebuild its walls and temple. As the people thought about all the destruction of the past war with the Babylonian Empire and all the construction needing completion, few people thought much past the next few days let alone a few years. But then there was Micah. He included a prophecy in his writings about a ruler who would arise from the “small village” of Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). This ruler would come to the people of Judah “on God’s behalf”. We know that just over five hundred years later, Mary and Joseph would travel to Bethlehem for the census (Luke 2:1). There, Jesus would be born.
Matthew even mentioned Micah 5:2 in his recollection of Jesus’ birth (in Matthew 2:6). Matthew saw Jesus’ coming as a fulfillment of Micah 5:2. In a way, Matthew reminded the Jews and Jewish Christians that long before Jesus was born, God had plans to send a Messiah, a Savior, a special ruler to Judah. That special one would come from Bethlehem. Isaiah, Zechariah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Jeremiah, and others foresaw the coming of the Messiah. Each gave a testimony that God was planning this for centuries. In a sense, God planned this all along. And God keeps His promises. God sent Jesus to fulfill a promise. In a sense, God was saying, “See, I told you I would send HIM!”. “See, I did this just like I said I would!” (Max Lucado hinted to this theme in his Christmas meditation in Grace for the Moment).
As Christmas Eve approached, I planned a special worship service. Many preparations were made. Candles were set apart for people to share that night. Decorations adorned the church entrance. A special manger scene was arranged at the front of the sanctuary. The choir prepared a special song just for communion. The elders set apart a special loaf of fresh bread and filled the glasses of wine in preparation. Then, just a few hours before the service, we had a terrific winter storm. It snowed one inch every hour. I lived very close to the church, and it was difficult to get there! The winds were horrific, up to thirty miles per hour. A “snow emergency” was declared. People were asked to refrain from travel. All throughout the hours before the service, I wondered what we would do. I was going to worship alone if I had to. I would not cancel the service on Christmas! As I waited, praying alone in the sanctuary, I heard bells and motors. I looked up to see lights dancing off the stained-glass windows. People from the congregation arrived on horseback, on snowmobiles, on big 4x4 trucks, and more. A member pushed a plow through the parking lot. With a few minutes to go, I greeted people at the door. They were covered with snowflakes; some were shivering with cold. We had a beautiful service, though only a few dozen were able to make it.
After the service, I told one elder about my worries that nobody would attend. He smiled and whispered to me, “If you remember, when we left last Sunday about a dozen of us promised that we’d make it no matter what.” And they did make it. And they brought others with them. I wondered if they’d come out in such terrible weather. I needn’t have worried. They were going to keep their promise to be there for Christmas services.
It's a beautiful thing when people fulfill a promise. It is wonderful when people not only say they’ll come through, but they actually do it with aplomb! Why do people brave such weather, overcome terrible difficulties to come to worship? Because they want to spend time with God! They also do it knowing that God always keeps His promises, too!
Long before Jesus came into the world, God the Father let the prophets know that the Messiah was coming. Then, Jesus came. The Son of God was sent just as promised. It was God’s way of saying, “See, I did this just like I said I would!”
When people come through for God, we are just following God’s example. When you keep a promise, you are acting faithfully. When you follow through on your word, others can see your trustworthiness. You keep your promises. You can be trusted. You are faithful.
Someday, you will face death. One thing that will bring ultimate comfort is the knowledge that God keeps His promises. God promised to send prophets, and HE did. God promised to send Jesus, and HE did. God promised to free us from sin on the cross, and HE does. God raised Jesus to eternal life as a promise of resurrection. God keeps His promises. HE does things just like HE said HE would! You can bank on the promises of God. Like the angels told the shepherd when Jesus was born, “Do not fear!” God is taking care of things all around you this Christmas. Why not follow through on your promises, be trustworthy, and set an example of faith for others to see! God has done this already for you!
Matthew even mentioned Micah 5:2 in his recollection of Jesus’ birth (in Matthew 2:6). Matthew saw Jesus’ coming as a fulfillment of Micah 5:2. In a way, Matthew reminded the Jews and Jewish Christians that long before Jesus was born, God had plans to send a Messiah, a Savior, a special ruler to Judah. That special one would come from Bethlehem. Isaiah, Zechariah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Jeremiah, and others foresaw the coming of the Messiah. Each gave a testimony that God was planning this for centuries. In a sense, God planned this all along. And God keeps His promises. God sent Jesus to fulfill a promise. In a sense, God was saying, “See, I told you I would send HIM!”. “See, I did this just like I said I would!” (Max Lucado hinted to this theme in his Christmas meditation in Grace for the Moment).
As Christmas Eve approached, I planned a special worship service. Many preparations were made. Candles were set apart for people to share that night. Decorations adorned the church entrance. A special manger scene was arranged at the front of the sanctuary. The choir prepared a special song just for communion. The elders set apart a special loaf of fresh bread and filled the glasses of wine in preparation. Then, just a few hours before the service, we had a terrific winter storm. It snowed one inch every hour. I lived very close to the church, and it was difficult to get there! The winds were horrific, up to thirty miles per hour. A “snow emergency” was declared. People were asked to refrain from travel. All throughout the hours before the service, I wondered what we would do. I was going to worship alone if I had to. I would not cancel the service on Christmas! As I waited, praying alone in the sanctuary, I heard bells and motors. I looked up to see lights dancing off the stained-glass windows. People from the congregation arrived on horseback, on snowmobiles, on big 4x4 trucks, and more. A member pushed a plow through the parking lot. With a few minutes to go, I greeted people at the door. They were covered with snowflakes; some were shivering with cold. We had a beautiful service, though only a few dozen were able to make it.
After the service, I told one elder about my worries that nobody would attend. He smiled and whispered to me, “If you remember, when we left last Sunday about a dozen of us promised that we’d make it no matter what.” And they did make it. And they brought others with them. I wondered if they’d come out in such terrible weather. I needn’t have worried. They were going to keep their promise to be there for Christmas services.
It's a beautiful thing when people fulfill a promise. It is wonderful when people not only say they’ll come through, but they actually do it with aplomb! Why do people brave such weather, overcome terrible difficulties to come to worship? Because they want to spend time with God! They also do it knowing that God always keeps His promises, too!
Long before Jesus came into the world, God the Father let the prophets know that the Messiah was coming. Then, Jesus came. The Son of God was sent just as promised. It was God’s way of saying, “See, I did this just like I said I would!”
When people come through for God, we are just following God’s example. When you keep a promise, you are acting faithfully. When you follow through on your word, others can see your trustworthiness. You keep your promises. You can be trusted. You are faithful.
Someday, you will face death. One thing that will bring ultimate comfort is the knowledge that God keeps His promises. God promised to send prophets, and HE did. God promised to send Jesus, and HE did. God promised to free us from sin on the cross, and HE does. God raised Jesus to eternal life as a promise of resurrection. God keeps His promises. HE does things just like HE said HE would! You can bank on the promises of God. Like the angels told the shepherd when Jesus was born, “Do not fear!” God is taking care of things all around you this Christmas. Why not follow through on your promises, be trustworthy, and set an example of faith for others to see! God has done this already for you!