Galatians 4:4-5 “But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.”
Micah 5:2 “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.”
Jesus was born at the RIGHT time. It was culturally right. Alexander the Great had conquered the known world and Greek became a common language for all people which broke down many barriers between countries. The Scriptures had been translated into Greek in 280 BC. The New Testament would be written in Greek.
It was politically right. During Rome’s control, roads were built which enabled travel. The Pax Romana, a time of enforced peace, made it possible for the Gospel to be received.
It was spiritually right. The Jews living in exile in Babylon had returned their focus on the one true God after the Babylonians were conquered by the Persians and King Cyrus encouraged the Hebrews in their quest to reconnect with their God.
It was the right time and Bethlehem was the right place. Bethlehem, Hebrew for “House of Bread,” and Arabic for “House of Meat or House of Flesh” was the perfect birthplace for Jesus, the “Bread of Life,” and Jesus, the “Lamb of God” to be born. Bethlehem was the place sheep were raised and purchased to take to Jerusalem for the annual sacrifice for sins. Priestly shepherds outside of Bethlehem chose only the perfect, spotless sheep to be sold for temple sacrifices. Jesus, the “Spotless Lamb,” was also born in Bethlehem.
The facts that Jesus was born at the right time in the right place will only matter if we believe them. They will only matter if we will receive Jesus and put our faith in Him to be our Messiah. Christians, your confidence in the right time and place for salvation to come into the world and into your heart is the foundation for you to trust God’s perfect timing and direction for all of your life.
Our God is a “right time” God. He leads us to the places in which He intends to reveal Himself to us. We must trust His timing and ways!
Grace and peace to you!
Pastor Melissa
