"THE JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM"
1 SAMUEL 16:1 13
Christmas is the time of the year when so many people travel all over the country to visit with friends and family. There is something about the holidays that just seems to be missing without the presence of family.
But there are also multitudes of travelers heading for other destinations. People from all over the world are arriving each day in the ancient village of Bethlehem. There, over 1900 years ago, a baby was born who was called Jesus.
In this little village groups of people will gather together to listen to a pastor or a leader read the old, familiar story from Luke’s Gospel.
Also this time of year you can often hear them singing a song written by an American pastor who visited Bethlehem. Phillips Brooks was so touched and deeply moved that he went home and wrote the familiar carol, "O Little Town of Bethlehem."
The story of the journey to Bethlehem made by Mary and Joseph is a familiar one to young and old alike. But this morning I’d like to look at another journey to Bethlehem that took place long before that one we’re so accustomed to hearing about during this time of year.
It is in the 16th chapter of 1 Samuel that we hear the word given to Samuel: "Go to Bethlehem." Bethlehem was a small town, yet a notable place because from there we find some people very close to the heart of God.
It is the setting for the Book of Ruth. Ruth was the mother of Obed, who was the father of Jesse, who was the father of David. And you remember, of course that Jesus was traced back to this family line.
That’s why Joseph had to go there for the census.
Let’s take a look at this journey to Bethlehem.
READ 16:1 13
The first thing we see here is that the journey began with a question.
The story begins with God taking action, getting involved in the affairs of his people. God is a God of action, and I think this is at the very heart of the true meaning of Christmas.
And the greatest single verse of the N.T. which summarizes the real meaning of Christmas is John 1:14..."The Word became flesh and dwelt among us."
Christmas is the story of a God who communicates with us...He came to earth in the form of a man...Emanuel God with us...He came to give us the Good News...He communicates to us what will give us life...and make that life one of joy and obedience...
Here God communicates with Samuel, but at the outset it seems like something much different than good news. The Lord said to him, "How long will you mourn for Saul."
That’s quite an interesting question..."How long will you mourn...or grieve?" Samuel was the one who anointed Saul as king...and even though it was a rocky relationship at times, Samuel prayed and prayed for Saul.
Saul blew it as king and Samuel had to confront him about it and tell him that it was over. Saul deserved the judgment that fell on him but still Samuel mourned for him.
But now God says, How long will you continue to go on like this? I know you are brokenhearted over what has happened to Saul. I know it is difficult for you to get over the shock of this tragic situation.
But enough is enough. It’s time to get on with life. There is still much that needs to be done, and Saul is no longer going to be part of it. But what’s done is done.
Now, God never condemns our sorrow. We must understand that. In fact, God Himself grieves over the loss much like we do.
In the N.T. we have the unforgettable picture of Jesus standing beside the tomb of a friend weeping. Grief is a natural emotion, and even a necessary one...because unless we go through the grieving process we’ll never enter the healing process that follows.
God never condemns our sorrow...but He does raise questions about timing. He simply asks, "How long will you grieve over that broken relationship...that loved one who has passed away...that marriage that was broken...How long will you grieve over things you have no control over??? It’s time to move on!
How long is too long? Each situation is different, and there is no set time frame. But prolonged grief can be a form of self punishment. We put ourselves through tremendous pain by trying to relive events and situations and think of what could have been or should have been.
No doubt Samuel felt a tremendous sense of responsibility and grief over Saul. Samuel played an important part in his life. And look at the potential he had. He was the tallest, the most handsome, certainly the best prospect in all Israel for a king.
Then after Samuel himself anointed him it was only a short time before he began to rebel...before he began to put his own will ahead of God’s plan and purpose for his life.
But God is saying, we can’t go back...what’s done is done. And the journey to Bethlehem is the announcement of a new possibility. It is a word of hope about a new life. Bethlehem is the symbol of the future that God presents before us. This is the day for the journey to Bethlehem.
**The journey begins with a question...and continues against the resistance of our fears.
Samuel is last seen in Ramah which is a few miles north of Jerusalem, and now God tells him to go to Bethlehem. It is interesting to find that the journey to Bethlehem was a very dangerous one.
And besides that, Samuel was terrified of King Saul. He said, "How can I go to Bethlehem? If Saul hears about it he’ll kill me.
Now here is a man who just boldly confronted Saul with the message of his sin as well as the fact that he was finished as king. He had to physically pull away from this groveling king who grabbed at his cloak, begging Samuel to stay with him.
Then he took Agag, the Amalekite king and put him to death. But now look at him. He was now paralyzed with fear. He was afraid to move forward, he was afraid of the one that he knew was no longer under God’s protective hand.
Can you see how the devil can gain the victory when we come to the point that we are no longer willing to go forward in commitment and faith...giving our time and talent and resources to the work of the Lord?
Well, he got directions from God as to how to make the journey, and though we have little detail, we know he arrived...and probably without incident.
So many times we are afraid to step out in obedience, but when we do we have the confidence that God will see us through. In fact, it’s amazing to read the next verse that describes what happened when he got there.
READ v. 4 He was so afraid to make the trip, but when he got there he found out that they were afraid of him. Why were they so scared? They just assumed that Samuel was Saul’s means of death and destruction.
They wanted a king...and now they have one. So why aren’t they happy? Why is this whole city caught in a grip of terror?
The journey to Bethlehem really confronts us with the reality and power of fear...and anxiety...and insecurity.
The people were fearful because they knew; deep inside, that they were not walking where they should be with God. They wanted to do things their way instead of God’s way...so God let them have it their way.
They so much wanted to be like all the other nations and have a king, and now they realized how wrong they were. And they were suffering for their doubt and disobedience. What they thought would be so good for them has backfired.
And now when the man of God comes they are fearful...is he Saul’s man who has come to destroy us...or is this a judgment of God for not walking in the way God wanted for us.
What about us? What are the fears, and insecurities we have? What are we carrying around that hinders us from enjoying the abundant life God has provided for us? Are we crippled by prolonged mourning or grief over something we no longer have control of...
Are we insecure because of disobedience...knowing there are areas that we continue to hold on to...all the while knowing it is hindering our walk with God...
Do we have the gutsy love I talked about last week...the kind of love that has the guts to do His will and not what your own weak flesh would like...without trying to justify it and coddle it, and explain it away?
Phillip Brooks wrote, "The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight." I believe that Jesus is right here and now meeting head on those hopes and fears in your life...The question is, "Which is going to win?" Which will ultimately prevail in your life...the hopes or the fears?
You hope you can go on and win the victory, and draw closer to God and be all He wants you to be...but are the fears and insecurities enough to keep you back...do the sins and pleasures of this life still have you blinded? The battle goes on...but so unnecessarily.
Samuel told these trembling elders that he had come in peace... to sacrifice to the Lord. Then he gave them a great challenge. Look at v. 5
This is the word that I hear today..."Consecrate yourselves." God doesn’t say to you in the midst of pressures or problems "Hide yourself" or "Defend yourself" or "Protect yourself"...he says to CONSECRATE yourself.
This is the only answer to fear and insecurity. Young David found this to be true when he said, "Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for thou art with me."
This is what Christmas really means...Thou art with me! We need to begin to understand that we are set apart from the world for a greater purpose...one that relates to the very reason for creation.
God wants us to discover personally the freedom and joy that so far surpasses the secular or worldly bondage that we find ourselves so deeply hooked by...and that only comes through complete consecration to the Lord.
3 ** Well, the journey to Bethlehem concludes in joy and hope.
Samuel already knew that he didn’t have to choose a new king. He had been told that God had chosen the king from among the sons of Jesse.
We read how the sons were paraded before Samuel and none of them were chosen, so Samuel asked if there were any others. Jesse said, "There’s the youngest one, but he’s out with the sheep."
And this was just a polite way of saying that he was no candidate for a king. But Samuel insisted that he be brought to him. When he came in Samuel took one look at him and heard an inner confirmation from the Lord that this was the one.
Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers...and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David in power from that day on.
Let’s take just a minute to look at David. His father, Jesse, didn’t see the potential of his life. His older brothers certainly didn’t see the possibilities there were in him. They even thought of him as a pest and a nuisance.
Even Samuel didn’t see the potential he had in his life. Only God could see the greatness that was there. It was God who believed in him. It was his Spirit that came upon David and gave him the strength and courage he showed throughout his life.
And to each of you...there is no person here on earth that knows your full potential. Only God know the real possibilities that exist in your life. His confidence of this is seen not only in Scripture, but also in the cross of Jesus Christ. Because He died for you.
He believes you can be forgiven of your sins...that you can live a radically and totally new life, one of obedience and joy...and He believes you can join Him in a commitment to continue the plans and purposes He has for you.
God told David that his kingdom would last forever. But hundreds of years later the earthly kingdom of David was crumbling and it seemed like there was no hope for the future.
The line of David looked like a great tree that had been sawed off so that there was nothing left but an old stump. But Isaiah the prophet saw a little green shoot appearing from what looked like a lifeless stump.
There are going to be times when the future looks as hopeless as that old stump. But God is a creative, victorious Lord who is a master at bringing new life from the old stumps.
He is a God of new birth...of new possibilities. That baby born in Bethlehem was the fulfillment of that promise that David’s kingdom would not end...and through faith in Jesus you can be part of that kingdom.
You can know the feeling of being a child of the King of Kings and the Lord of lords. You can know the joy and the excitement and the hope that you are a part of a kingdom that will last forever.
You can know the joy of being a blessing to others...people who are really hurting...desperately longing to know that their lives have some meaning and purpose. The journey to Bethlehem can set you free.
