AMC, 01.12.2021
Text: Micah 5:1-9
Theme: Prince of Bethlehem
Greetings:
THREE GIFTS FROM THREE SONS
Three sons left home, went out on their own and prospered. Getting together for Christmas, they discussed the gifts they were able to give their elderly mother.
The first said, “I bought an apartment.”
The second said, “I sent her a luxury car.”
The third smiled and said, “I’ve got you both beat. Do you remember how mom enjoyed reading the Bible? And you know she can’t see very well. So I sent her a remarkable parrot that recites the entire Bible. It took for pastors to train her 12 years to teach the bible. Mom just has to name the chapter and verse, and the parrot recites it.”
Soon thereafter, mom sent out her letters of thanks:
“Dear Selvan,” she wrote one son, “The house you built is too huge. I live in only one room, but I have to keep the whole house clean!”
“Dear Rajan,” she wrote to another, “I am too old to travel. I stay at home most of the time, so I rarely use the Luxury Car.”
“Dearest Robin,” she wrote to her third son, “You have the good sense to know what your Mother likes. The chicken was Dee-Licious!” (Adopted and modified)
Introduction:
The Prince of Bethlehem brings light, life and nurtures and exalts among the nations. The prophet Micah talks about important leadership roles played by the Prince of Bethlehem, who is none other than our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. He will be a ruler (Michael 5:2). He will be a tender shepherd (5:4) and the Prince of Prince (5:5). His followers will be blessed and will become means of blessings to many. The birth of Christ exalts the least, glorifies the lost and rewards the lowest, they shall be the first, highest, and great.
1. The Least shall be exalted (Micah 5:2)
"Bethlehem Ephrathah" is mentioned to denote that there was another Bethlehem in Zebulun (Joshua 19:15). Both names were derived from the “fruitfulness” combination of “House of Bread” and “fruitfulness” simply means fertile land. Prophet Isaiah had foretold the Virgin birth of Jesus (Isaiah 7:14).
Here, Prophet Micah predicted the birthplace of Jesus as a small village called Bethlehem. There are 333 prophecies of Jesus Christ in the Old Testament (Coffman). Few are such as, Messiah will be from the family of Shem, the seed of Abraham, from the tribe of Judah, and a descend from King David.
Bethlehem once a small village now became the Mother-city of the whole earth because of this prophecy. Jesus was born there and nursed in that small village. This village became the house of blessings and divine grace. This small spot on the earth shall be glorious. Saint Chrysostom comments that the whole world came together to see Bethlehem, where Christ was born, laid, that respect has earned by no other place, spot or the ground on the earth(Barnes). The gospel of Matthew regards the condition of the town of Bethlehem as least on that day but the coming of Christ has exalted her. Indeed she began to be eminent. According to the Prophet, the ignoble became noble by the birth of Christ (Calvin).
Bible has many least persons who were exalted by God.
Gideon said I am least among the clans of Israel (Judges 6:15), exalted to be a judge of Israel.
Saul said that he was from the smallest tribe of Israel (1 Samuel 9:21), he became the first king of Israel. Moses said ‘who am I?’(Exodus 3:11), became a man of God who became a great national leader of liberation. David said ‘Who am I, what is my family in Israel?’(1 Samuel 18:18). But God has chosen him to be the best king of Israel, a role model for all the kings of Israel and Judah. Solomon said, ‘I am a child (1 Kings 3:7), but God has bestowed on him his love, wisdom, riches. Jeremiah said, ‘I am a child’ (Jeremiah 1:6). Who became a prophet of weeping and uncompromising man of God.
We can keep adding on how the Lord has exalted many other least into great men of God. He changes the least into greatest. He is the god of the least. Are you feeling least and dejected? Are you living a hopeless and purposeless life? He is there to visit you and make you a great person.
2. The Lost shall be restored to glory (Micah 5:3-6)
The birth of Christ brings glory to the lost souls. According to Micah, Jesus Christ will be a righteous ruler(Micah 5:3), a tender shepherd (Micah 5:4) and the Prince of Peace (Micah 5:5). When Christ conquers the souls, enters into the lives of the lost. They gain strength, they get power. He leads them, rules over them and guides them. Jesus is the king of Kings and Lord of lords but a calm, gentle and loving God.
He will not be a ruler with atrocities and autocratic but merciful and mindful of his sheep he gives an extended time of grace for obedience. He is a Considerate and loveable ruler (Micah 5:3). God is going to keep His people under his mighty arms. The previous chapter throws the light on how God is going to reach out to the gentile world. The Jews of those who have accepted Christ will be blessings to others (Micah 4:2-4,13). Jesus came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). Are lost due to pressures, immersed in your worries. Here is the relief in Christ.
3. The lowest shall be lifted up (Micah 5:7-9)
The last will be the first and best in the kingdom of God. The remnant shall be great. The lowest is important to Jesus. The remnants and the redeemed of God would play a major role in this redemptive history. The redeemed will live among the needy, downtrodden and lead them to higher lifestyles. The status of them would be mild and wild. Mild like the dew and rains, and wild like the rains and lions destroying the devices of the enemies (5:7-8).
They would take the upper hand among their enemies and neighbours. They will overpower with the love of Jesus and justice of God. The LORD makes poor and makes rich: he brings low, and lifts up (1 Samuel 2:7). He sets up on high those that be low; that those which mourn may be exalted to safety (Job 5:11)
Reasons for brought low: Sins and wickedness(Psalm 79:8), A man's pride shall bring him low: ( Proverbs 29:23), the highhandedness of leaders brought low the chosen. They did through oppression so they are afflicted, and became sorrowful (Psalms 107:39).
I called upon thy name, O LORD, out of the low dungeon (Lamentations 3:55). Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy [endures] forever (Psalms 136:23). For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. He hath put down the mighty from seats and exalted them of low degree (Luke 1:48,52 - Amplified Bible). Because he is born in Bethlehem.
Conclusion: Happy Christmas!!
