Bethlehem’s Tapestry of Redemption

Our fast-paced world can be downright dizzying during the holiday season. Have you ever paused from all the distractions to ask yourself, “Why am I doing all of this?” It may sound cliché, but sometimes we need to take a deep breath and remember the reason we are celebrating. As we focus on the Christmas story and how God demonstrated His immense love for us, that love brings our lives into balance. And we find that God is inviting us to become part of His redemptive story in ways we never could have imagined or expected as we share His good news with others.

Throughout the Bible, we see God continually weaving together unlikely people, places, and situations to create a beautiful tapestry—a tapestry of redemption. And many threads from that tapestry come together in that little town of Bethlehem, as the prophet Micah foretold:

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
one who is to be ruler in Israel,
whose coming forth is from of old,
from ancient days.
(Micah 5:2)

Bethlehem is located in the West Bank and has been a bustling Arab city for years. It attracts many tourists, especially during this season. However, it has a very rich biblical history that goes way back before the Christmas story.

Threads of Loyalty and Redemption

Remember Ruth and Naomi? After Naomi’s husband and sons die in Moab, she decides to return to her native Bethlehem. She encourages Ruth to stay in Moab and remarry because, as a Moabite woman, Naomi figures Ruth will only be treated as an outcast. But Ruth refuses to abandon her Jewish mother-in-law. Her love and loyalty for Naomi lead her to trust the God of Israel.

Soon after their arrival in Bethlehem, God folds this righteous Gentile woman into His salvation story. Boaz, a person of wealth and influence, is so impressed by Ruth’s faithfulness that he becomes what Jewish law described as a “kinsman-redeemer.” That meant that because Boaz was related to Naomi, he could redeem her family’s name and land by marrying Ruth, her daughter-in-law. He risks his own reputation and wealth to do just that.

From Shepherd Boy to Eternal King

As beautiful as this story is, there’s more. Through the faithful bravery of these women and this selfless act of redemption by their kinsman, Ruth became the great-grandmother of a shepherd boy named David.

Though David was seemingly insignificant as the youngest of eight brothers, God described him as a man after his own heart. Which is why He called that shepherd boy from the pastures of Bethlehem to lead His people. And yet David spent years hiding in caves and running for his life. But God redeemed David’s story and made him king—Israel’s greatest king in fact! And God swore to David that his kingdom would be established forever. That promise in 2 Samuel 7:16 was a prominent piece of the Lord’s redemptive picture—God’s promised Messiah would come through the line of David! This is why many who first followed Jesus called Him the Son of David.

Which brings us to that glorious event that we read every Christmas in Luke 2 when the angels announced to the shepherds, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is [Messiah] the Lord” (vv. 10–11). Note that by this time, Bethlehem was closely associated with King David, through whom Messiah would come. In Hebrew, the city is called Beit Lechem which means “House of Bread.” How fitting that this was where Yeshua (Jesus), our Bread of Life, was born.

Mary, or Miriam if we want to call her by her Hebrew name, was nine months pregnant when she and Joseph made the tedious 90-mile journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. They must have been exhausted when they arrived. And, of course, housing was pretty scarce because of the Roman census that had brought them there to begin with. They didn’t receive any special treatment because they were ordinary people. Yet God used them in an extraordinary way to bring his Son into the world at just the right moment and in such a very humble way, just as the prophet Micah had predicted.

We see how God used this humble place to interweave His amazing plans for humble people—people whose most important quality was that they loved and trusted God. Just as God used Ruth, a Moabite widow; David, a shepherd boy; and Miriam, a young Jewish woman in His ultimate story of redemption, He continues to use ordinary and imperfect people like you and me today. How amazing that we get to be part of His continuing work to redeem the lost and bring more sheep into His fold.

Continuing God’s Tapestry Today

Recently, I was back in Israel, meeting with local pastors as well as our missionary staff, encouraging them in their service during these turbulent times. I also recorded videos for our ministry partners to give them glimpses of how God is still redeeming lives in the Holy Land today. And here’s a glimpse to encourage you today: A young Israeli man named Meir ordered a New Testament in Hebrew from our website. Annie, one of our missionaries in Tel Aviv, brought him the book, and they had a conversation about the Messiah. Meir joined an online Bible study and started attending a congregation with two of his friends. Only weeks later, Meir and both of his friends received Yeshua as their Lord and Savior. Almost immediately, they went with their pastor and church community to the Jordan River to be baptized. Hallelujah!

We praise God when one of our Jewish brothers and sisters comes to know their Savior. Three salvations in one day feels like nothing short of a miracle—a miracle that, incredibly, God allows you and me to take part in! That tapestry of redemption, which God began weaving generations before us, is still being finished to perfection. In this season, I’m so thankful for you and thankful that we get to work together to bring the goodness of God’s salvation to the Jewish people.

In the busyness of our day-to-day lives, and especially in this Christmas season, may we all stop, take time to breathe, and be reminded of our awesome God who has a plan for all of creation. As you love and trust God like Ruth, David, and Miriam did, remember, He has a plan for you, too, and is using you for His glory!

 

Name is changed to protect privacy.