A Thrill of Hope

12/01/24 – 12/04/24

Treasure In Jars of Clay

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  12/02/24

Read Micah 5:2-4

When God chose Bethlehem of all places as the birthplace of His Son, He was sending us a message. Why didn’t He choose Jerusalem, the religious capital of Israel? Why not Rome, the capital of a mighty empire? Why not Athens, the center of philosophical thought in the ancient world? Why not Alexandria, the seat of learning and education at that time? Why would God choose the little town of Bethlehem? Because He wanted to tell us that the hope of the world is not in religion, not in government, not in philosophy, not in education. The hope of the world is found in a person, and His name is Jesus.

You see, Almighty God—sovereign, infinite, and holy—is not impressed with what impresses us. He’s not impressed with the wealth, power, philosophy, and learning of the world because He’s the Creator of all knowledge, wealth, and power. Rather, God delights in the humble. He comes to dwell in the heart of anyone who will come in humility, submitting to Him. Bethlehem is a reminder that God brings strength to the weak and gives value to the valueless. Why? Because we all, like Bethlehem, have the potential to become bearers of His glory as jars of clay carrying a precious treasure (see 2 Corinthians 4:7).

You may know that Bethlehem means “house of bread.” It’s fitting because it was from Bethlehem that God gave us Jesus, the Bread of Life (see John 6:35). Similarly, Bethlehem was known for its refreshing, pure water (see 2 Samuel 23:13-17). John 4:14 reveals Jesus as the Living Water: “[W]hoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” Jesus, born in Bethlehem, satisfies our deepest longings; He is what our hearts have always needed.

God chose Bethlehem because it is a picture of all of us. From a worldly perspective, it may seem that you don’t matter, but you matter to the Father. And just like Bethlehem, Jesus can be born in you. Spiritually speaking, He can take up residence in your heart and make it His home. If you’ve never done so, give your life to Him today. Today you can live with the freedom of knowing your eternal salvation in Christ; today you can begin to enjoy and hope in the sure promises of God.

Prayer: Lord, You have made me to know You and enjoy You. Help me to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is Your love for me displayed in the gift of Your Son, my Redeemer. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“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” (Micah 5:2).