But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
are only a small village among all the people of Judah.
Yet a ruler of Israel,
whose origins are in the distant past,
will come from you on my behalf.
The people of Israel will be abandoned to their enemies
until the woman in labor gives birth.
Then at last his fellow countrymen
will return from exile to their own land.
And he will stand to lead his flock with the LORD’s strength,
in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God.
Then his people will live there undisturbed,
for he will be highly honored around the world.
And he will be the source of peace. (Micah 5:2–5a NLT)
The prophecy of a coming Messiah and Savior is given in Micah 5. It is with great accuracy that the location of the birthplace of this great ruler is given. The message of this prophecy is from the Lord God to the people. This ruler would come on behalf of the Lord God and would transform those who were under his rule. The people of God yearned for this leader. They had experienced the brokenness of being under the power of their enemies and being exiled from their land. Brokenness is something that many people experience. There is often the feeling of being exiled, of being an outsider. They yearn for peace and wholeness. These verses describe this ruler as leading his flock – his people – with the Lord’s strength and in the majesty of the name of the Lord God. This is a ruler who is in touch with his people. He will be the source of peace – shalom, wholeness, and well-being – into the lives of his people.
Bethlehem was a small village, but it was known as the birthplace of King David. Being born in Bethlehem was also to be a sign of the coming Messiah and Savior. When our children were little, we would make a grand production out of unwrapping the family nativity set. Everyone wanted to unwrap baby Jesus. Though baby Jesus is the focus at Christmas, he does not stay a baby. He grew up to be a teacher, a rabbi, a fulfillment of prophecy; Jesus came to be King Jesus. Jesus is the Son of God who came to this earth to bring God’s redemption to all who surrender to his rule.
Jesus came to this earth to transform and to rule. He came to lead his people. The rule of Jesus brings us into the Kingdom of God. This leadership and rule will bring peace, wholeness, and well-being to those under it. Peace is desperately sought for and desperately needed. At this festive time of year, many are struggling with a sense of loss, discouragement, and desperation. Christmas often is a time when we are reminded of what we do not or cannot have. We often resist the rule of Jesus and strive after the rule of ourselves, even though that rule leaves us empty. In coming to Jesus as the King, as the one who rules, we will find in our surrender to his rule what we most need when we most need it.
We can experience full life in Jesus, which includes hope, purpose, acceptance, and peace. Today, unwrap the gift Jesus came to give you: the gift of wholeness, of life, and of God’s best. Allow Jesus to be your source of peace.
Dr. Harry Kelm is the executive director of the North American Baptist Conference.