Bethlehem (House of Bread) Birthplace of Bread of Life - Luke 2:1-7

JOSEPH

Bethlehem (House of Bread)

Birthplace of Bread of Life

Luke 2:1-7

Luke 2:1-3 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

Susie: Luke sets the birth of the Savior into a historical timeframe, naming the Caesar and the governor for accuracy. Rome had conquered Israel and appointed a Roman governor. They allowed their conquered nations to retain some of their own control and religious practices as long as they did not clash with that of Rome.

Luke 2:4-5 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

Susie: The Roman emperor wanted to have an accurate count of every family in order to impose taxes on them. The fact that Joseph had to travel to Bethlehem reiterates that he was descended from King David and fulfills the Old Testament prophecy that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. 

Micah 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

Susan: Bethlehem in Hebrew means “house of bread”. Jesus would later refer to Himself as the Bread of Life. 

John 6:35 (VOICE) Jesus: I am the bread that gives life. If you come to My table and eat, you will never go hungry. Believe in Me, and you will never go thirsty.

Susie: He also compared Himself to manna at one point.  

John 6:57-58 As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.

Susan: Jesus is our provision and sustenance, not only for our daily bread but also for all we need spiritually and emotionally. Jesus, the Bread of Life, embodies the grace that saves believers giving them eternal life. Come with me and fast forward about 33 years from the point of Jesus’s birth. As He shared a last Passover meal with His disciples before His arrest and crucifixion, He used the unleavened bread as a tangible symbol of the sacrifice of His own body upon the cross for all who would believe.

Luke 22:19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

Susie: The bread used for the Passover was unleavened partly as a symbol of the Jews fleeing Egypt in a hurry and not allowing bread to rise. However, leaven symbolizes sin. Jesus was the sinless, spotless sacrifice. Therefore, it is fitting that He used unleavened bread to symbolize His body, the Bread of Life.

Luke 2:6-7 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Susie: Mary had traveled with Joseph even in the final month of her pregnancy. By the time they reached Bethlehem, she must have been exhausted, but they had no place to stay except a stable. I am sure the inns were packed because David had many descendants (as the Lord had promised him) that had to travel there.

Susan: Jesus was laid in a feeding trough, which goes back to the Bread of Life again. The Eternal being placed in a feeding trough because He is the food, the life source of man. 

Susie: Is there a significance to wrapping Him in swaddling clothes? Stayed tuned for more on that in the next lesson about the shepherds.

PONDER THIS: There was no room for God the Son in the inn, but how often do we have so much “stuff” crammed into our heart which is supposed to be His home, that Jesus is crowded out of our consciousness?