DECEMBER 13, 2020
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” Micah 5:2
Ancestry was a thread deeply woven into the Jewish people’s sense of identity. We see this expressed in their collective identity as God’s chosen people, in the self-reflections of Gideon (“How can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh…” Judges 6:15), and in the scoffing of Nathanael (“Can anything good come from Nazareth?” John 1:46). For a people longing for redemption, it was easy to imagine a conquering Messiah emerging from a royal birthplace. Yet, foreshadowing the ministry of Jesus, God chose to enter this world in a town whose royal pedigree evoked thoughts of bygone times rather than majesty, and embraced humility instead of greatness.
Father, we rejoice that you can be known. Thank you for humbly revealing yourself through Jesus – Immanuel – and for allowing us to see your strands of redemption running through history. Please continue to teach us to share your heart for the overlooked and hurting around us. Amen.
Andy and Betsy Kost have loved Newberg since moving here two and a half years ago. Andy is an engineer and Betsy is a stay-at-home mom to Peter (2) and Toby (6 mos.). They would love prayer for wisdom as they seek to parent their boys well.