• Home
  • Gospel Words
    • A Deadly Deed
    • Saving a President
    • The Death Zone
    • An Anchor of the Soul
    • Afraid Twice
    • Two Ways
    • Withering Grass & Fading Flowers
    • A Spider's Web
    • The Voice of the Son of God
    • Forgiven!
    • The Full Assurance of Hope
    • A Sinner's Prayer
    • A Present & Personal Saviour
    • The Great Supper
    • Judgment is Coming
    • A Closed Heart
    • "Iceberg Right Ahead!"
    • The Lamb of God
    • Truth & Certainty
    • 'Then the King Will Say'
    • The Testimony of the Chief of Sinners
    • The Testimony of the Lord's Prisoner
    • The Power of Christ
    • The Good Shepherd
    • 'Wonderful Words of Life'
    • Finding Wisdom
    • The Unchanging Person of Jesus Christ
  • Bible Answers
    • Remembering Our Creator
    • Was the Cross Necessary?
    • What is God Like?
    • Does the Resurrection Matter?
    • What's in a Name?
    • Why Must We be Saved?
    • "Who Art Thou, Lord?"
    • "The Unknown God" - Just Who is He?
    • "What is Truth?"
    • "Holy, Holy, Holy"
    • Knowing God
    • A Conversion Story
    • The Gospel according to Jonah
    • "Jesus of Nazareth, a Man Approved of God"
    • The Saviour of the World
    • A Chosen Vessel
    • Who is Jesus?
    • God's Mercy & Judgment
    • Does What I Think about the Son of God Matter?
    • 'How Shall we Escape if we Neglect so Great Salvation'?
    • What is Life Really All About?
    • The Rock of Ages
    • Easter Messages >
      • The Sufferings of Christ - Part 1
      • The Sufferings of Christ - Part 2
      • The Resurrection of Christ
      • Zion's King & God's Lamb
    • Christmas Messages >
      • Joseph, Mary & the Birth of Jesus
      • "A Savior who is Christ the Lord"
      • Hark the Herald Angels Sing
      • Covenant Promises & the Birth of Christ
  • Timeless Truths
    • Timeless Truths 1
    • Timeless Truths 2
    • Timeless Truths 3
    • Timeless Truths 4
    • Timeless Truths 5
    • Timeless Truths 6
    • Timeless Truths 7
  • Expository Messages
    • Topical Messages >
      • Spiritual Warfare
    • Psalms >
      • Psalms 84-88 >
        • Psalm 84 - The Courts of the LORD
        • Psalm 85 - 'Revive us Again'
        • Psalm 86 - Calling upon God in the Day of Trouble
        • Psalm 87 - The Glory of Zion, 'City of God'
        • Psalm 88 - Hands Stretched out in Grief
    • Minor Prophets - Study Notes by Gary Woods >
      • The Twelve Minor Prophets - An Overview
      • Hosea P1
      • Hosea P2
      • Joel P1
      • Joel P2
      • Amos P1
      • Amos P2
      • Obadiah
      • Jonah
      • Micah
      • Nahum
      • Habakkuk P1
      • Habakkuk P2
      • Zephaniah
      • The Post-Captivity Prophets - An Introduction
      • Haggai
      • Zechariah P1
      • Zechariah P2
      • Malachi
    • The Lord's Upper Room Ministry >
      • John 13:1-3 - The Omniscient Christ
      • John 13:4-17 - The Foot Washing Ministry of the Perfect Servant
      • John 13:18-38 - The Son of Man Glorified
      • John 14:1-3 - The Father's House P1
      • John 14:4-7 - The Father's House P2
      • John 14:8-14 - The Father's Visibility
      • John 14:15-26 - The Father's Gift
      • John 14:27-31 - The Father's Primacy
      • John 17 - The Lord's Intercessory Prayer
      • Excursus: The Passover & the Last Supper
    • Romans >
      • Romans - An Introduction
      • Romans - An Outline
      • Romans 1:1-7 - Paul's Salutation
      • Romans 1:8-17 - Visiting Rome & Gospel Debt
      • Romans 1:18-32 - Wrath Revealed & Why
      • Romans 2 - An Introduction to a Difficult Chapter
      • Romans 2:1-5 - The Hypocrisy of the Self-righteous P1
      • Romans 2:6-11 - The Hypocrisy of the Self-righteous P2
      • Romans 2:12-16 - The Hypocrisy of the Self-righteous P3
      • Romans 2:17-29 - The Guilt of the Self-confident
      • Romans 3:1-20 - 'All the World Guilty'
      • Romans 3:21-24 - The Heart of the Gospel P1
      • Romans 3:25a - The Heart of the Gospel P2
      • Romans 3:25b-31 - The Heart of the Gospel P3
    • 1 Corinthians >
      • 1 Corinthians 1:10-4:21 - Worldly Wisdom
  • Booklets

"A Savior who is Christ the Lord"

He was Born in Bethlehem

Those who care occasionally complain that the true meaning of Christmas has been lost and to a greater extent this is certainly true. For the most part, instead of humility and worship it is time of indulgence and self-gratification. Gluttony, drunkenness and vice become 'turbo charged' and the season an excuse for revelling. Such conduct sadly reflects on the state of society and highlights the need for the gospel, a need that we all share no matter what way we live and that is what the coming of the Christ is all about. His birth begins the unfolding of the gospel story.  

The place of the Messiah's birth was prophesied some 700 years before the event by the prophet Micah:

         'But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
         Though you are little among the thousands of Judah,
         Yet out of you shall come forth to Me
         The One to be Ruler in Israel,
         Whose goings forth are from of old,
         From everlasting.'
                                      Micah 5:2.

When Herod called the Jewish leaders to ask where the Christ would be born, whom the wise men from the east had come to worship, they confirmed that it was Bethlehem according to the prophecy of Micah  (Matthew 2:1-6), yet they showed no interest in its fulfilment and never went themselves to see the Christ child. They demonstrate the sad and strange mixture of knowledge and unbelief.

In terms of the cities and peoples of Judah, Bethlehem was of little significance, but in the estimation of God it was going to have an importance that transcended its size, population and status for from it would come the great Shepherd of Israel who was no less than the eternal Son of God.  Bethlehem was of course King David's home town and the ultimate fulfilment of his promised seed, the Messiah - 'great David's greater Son,' would be born there. Thus, God saw to it that the Caesar Augustus would decree that a census  be taken of the populace of the Roman empire at a time appropriate in order that Joseph and Mary would be in Bethlehem for the birth of Jesus and thus it was there that Mary 'brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn' (Luke 2:7), and it was to Bethlehem the shepherds came after hearing the announcement of the angel of the Lord: "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger” (Luke 2:10-12).

He was Raised in Nazareth

After the dramatic events that overtook Joseph and Mary because of Herod's attempt to kill Jesus, they finally upon returning from Egypt settled in Nazareth.  The Lord grew up in Nazareth where He was subject to Mary and Joseph (Luke 2:51) and lived among its people and a growing family practicing the noble trade of carpentry. 'He shall be called a Nazarene' was the fulfilment of what was 'spoken by the prophets' (Matthew 2:23) and throughout His life even unto the Cross Christ was known as Jesus of Nazareth or Jesus the Nazarene. Not only did associating His name with where He grew up identify Him, it also carried, it would seem, a reproach or stigma. When Nathanael was told by Philip: "We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph”. Nathanael responded: “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:45-46). It would seem that Nazareth had a reputation of little worth in terms of its status and citizens. Indeed, it was the inhabitants of Nazareth who first tried to murder the Lord after He had returned to the synagogue there to read the scriptures and announce that He was the fulfillment of what He had read from the prophecy of Isaiah (Luke 4:16-30).

He Died at Jerusalem 

At around 30 years old (Luke 3:23) Christ entered into what is often called His public ministry. He began in Galilee and then throughout the land of Israel He travelled with His disciples preaching the good news of the kingdom of God, teaching its precepts and healing the sick and demon possessed. Though in these years of ministry He visited Jerusalem many times, there was to be a final visit, the one that ended in His death.
He knew both where He would die and when. As the time approached the Lord Jesus 'steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem' (Luke 9:51). He was going to Jerusalem to fulfil the will of His Father and as 'the Lamb of God' to bear 'away the sin of the world' (John 1:29). The birth of Christ was not an end in itself, no He was born to die, to be the sacrifice for our sins so that we could know God's forgiveness, escape His judgment and be assured of heaven.

The Lord Jesus died and rose again from the dead and through Him we can know peace with God: 'Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ' (Romans 5:1). Remembering the child born and the son given is good, but it goes far beyond that; 'Have you as a helpless sinner trusted the Saviour of the world?'

The Bible says: “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him” (John 3:36).

​AJC
On that most holy morn
At Bethlehem,
When Christ the Lord was born
At Bethlehem,
He came, O wondrous sight!
Forth from the realm of light
Into a scene of night,
At Bethlehem.
​
That quiet time He knew
At Nazareth,
Saw one with purpose true
At Nazareth,
Grow up in all His ways
To God His Father's praise
Precious indeed those days,
At Nazareth.
 
Compassing plain and hill,
In Galilee,
Serving with subject will
In Galilee,
He whom the Father sent
Journeyed with fixed intent
In all the way He went,
In Galilee.
 
Having the end in view
Jerusalem,
Onward He moved unto
Jerusalem,
Gethsemane to face
To die in wondrous grace
At the appointed place,
Jerusalem.

William Kirkpatrick
Answers About God. Copyright © 2020, Aaron Colgan
About & Contact
​External Links
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from
the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson,
Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
  • Home
  • Gospel Words
    • A Deadly Deed
    • Saving a President
    • The Death Zone
    • An Anchor of the Soul
    • Afraid Twice
    • Two Ways
    • Withering Grass & Fading Flowers
    • A Spider's Web
    • The Voice of the Son of God
    • Forgiven!
    • The Full Assurance of Hope
    • A Sinner's Prayer
    • A Present & Personal Saviour
    • The Great Supper
    • Judgment is Coming
    • A Closed Heart
    • "Iceberg Right Ahead!"
    • The Lamb of God
    • Truth & Certainty
    • 'Then the King Will Say'
    • The Testimony of the Chief of Sinners
    • The Testimony of the Lord's Prisoner
    • The Power of Christ
    • The Good Shepherd
    • 'Wonderful Words of Life'
    • Finding Wisdom
    • The Unchanging Person of Jesus Christ
  • Bible Answers
    • Remembering Our Creator
    • Was the Cross Necessary?
    • What is God Like?
    • Does the Resurrection Matter?
    • What's in a Name?
    • Why Must We be Saved?
    • "Who Art Thou, Lord?"
    • "The Unknown God" - Just Who is He?
    • "What is Truth?"
    • "Holy, Holy, Holy"
    • Knowing God
    • A Conversion Story
    • The Gospel according to Jonah
    • "Jesus of Nazareth, a Man Approved of God"
    • The Saviour of the World
    • A Chosen Vessel
    • Who is Jesus?
    • God's Mercy & Judgment
    • Does What I Think about the Son of God Matter?
    • 'How Shall we Escape if we Neglect so Great Salvation'?
    • What is Life Really All About?
    • The Rock of Ages
    • Easter Messages >
      • The Sufferings of Christ - Part 1
      • The Sufferings of Christ - Part 2
      • The Resurrection of Christ
      • Zion's King & God's Lamb
    • Christmas Messages >
      • Joseph, Mary & the Birth of Jesus
      • "A Savior who is Christ the Lord"
      • Hark the Herald Angels Sing
      • Covenant Promises & the Birth of Christ
  • Timeless Truths
    • Timeless Truths 1
    • Timeless Truths 2
    • Timeless Truths 3
    • Timeless Truths 4
    • Timeless Truths 5
    • Timeless Truths 6
    • Timeless Truths 7
  • Expository Messages
    • Topical Messages >
      • Spiritual Warfare
    • Psalms >
      • Psalms 84-88 >
        • Psalm 84 - The Courts of the LORD
        • Psalm 85 - 'Revive us Again'
        • Psalm 86 - Calling upon God in the Day of Trouble
        • Psalm 87 - The Glory of Zion, 'City of God'
        • Psalm 88 - Hands Stretched out in Grief
    • Minor Prophets - Study Notes by Gary Woods >
      • The Twelve Minor Prophets - An Overview
      • Hosea P1
      • Hosea P2
      • Joel P1
      • Joel P2
      • Amos P1
      • Amos P2
      • Obadiah
      • Jonah
      • Micah
      • Nahum
      • Habakkuk P1
      • Habakkuk P2
      • Zephaniah
      • The Post-Captivity Prophets - An Introduction
      • Haggai
      • Zechariah P1
      • Zechariah P2
      • Malachi
    • The Lord's Upper Room Ministry >
      • John 13:1-3 - The Omniscient Christ
      • John 13:4-17 - The Foot Washing Ministry of the Perfect Servant
      • John 13:18-38 - The Son of Man Glorified
      • John 14:1-3 - The Father's House P1
      • John 14:4-7 - The Father's House P2
      • John 14:8-14 - The Father's Visibility
      • John 14:15-26 - The Father's Gift
      • John 14:27-31 - The Father's Primacy
      • John 17 - The Lord's Intercessory Prayer
      • Excursus: The Passover & the Last Supper
    • Romans >
      • Romans - An Introduction
      • Romans - An Outline
      • Romans 1:1-7 - Paul's Salutation
      • Romans 1:8-17 - Visiting Rome & Gospel Debt
      • Romans 1:18-32 - Wrath Revealed & Why
      • Romans 2 - An Introduction to a Difficult Chapter
      • Romans 2:1-5 - The Hypocrisy of the Self-righteous P1
      • Romans 2:6-11 - The Hypocrisy of the Self-righteous P2
      • Romans 2:12-16 - The Hypocrisy of the Self-righteous P3
      • Romans 2:17-29 - The Guilt of the Self-confident
      • Romans 3:1-20 - 'All the World Guilty'
      • Romans 3:21-24 - The Heart of the Gospel P1
      • Romans 3:25a - The Heart of the Gospel P2
      • Romans 3:25b-31 - The Heart of the Gospel P3
    • 1 Corinthians >
      • 1 Corinthians 1:10-4:21 - Worldly Wisdom
  • Booklets