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WEEK 1: All roads lead through Bethlehem

Sunday (Day 1)

VERSES: Genesis 35:19, Mark 10:45, Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23

Certain towns are so connected to iconic images or moments that the mere mention of the one reminds all of the other. One can hardly imagine Green Bay, Wisconsin, without thinking of the Green Bay Packers, their NFL team.Say Paris, France, and people see the Eiffel Tower. Mention Las Vegas, Nevada, and people see a roadway dotted with neon and casinos.

Another location that evokes an immediate reaction is Bethlehem in Israel. Oh, when we mention this little town, we think of the birth of Jesus Christ 2,000 years ago. To be clear, Jesus’ birth is THE BIGGEST THING that has ever happened anywhere, much less the biggest thing to occur in the town of Bethlehem! Yet, Bethlehem had history before Jesus’ birth … a history that goes all the way back to the book of Genesis.

The first reference to Bethlehem is in Genesis 35:19 when Jacob’s wife Rachel dies giving birth to their child Benjamin. Rachel was buried on the road to Bethlehem by her husband. Rachel wanted to name her son Ben-oni which meant “son of my sorrow.” Instead, Jacob renamed the boy Benjamin, meaning “son of my right hand.” This is a powerful foretaste of another who would one day be born on the outskirts of Bethlehem, Jesus Christ.

Jesus was born to die for the sins of the world - His death paying the ransom price our sins deserve. The sorrow of His death, however, would lead to the redemption of all who trust in Him, who are declared righteous in Him and made children of God. From sorrow to sons (and daughters) … Bethlehem’s history is important to note.

All of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. If we reject Jesus, sorrow for all eternity is our ultimate future. BUT, if we trust in Jesus, we are made a son or daughter who experiences fellowship with God forever. From sorrow to sonship … Bethlehem has quite a history indeed.