He Will Be Their Peace

  • Series: Year Of The Message
  • by: David Crosby 08/17/08

The prophet Micah makes an amazing prediction: But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, our of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient time (Micah 5:2).

The gospel writer, Matthew, will quote this ancient text as he chronicles the birth of Jesus. The Magi show up from somewhere in the East, looking for the "one who has been born king of the Jews." They assume that everybody is eager to find the Promised One and worship him, especially the Jews

King Herod is king of the Jews, and he is not happy with the news. His counselors are called together, and they discuss the problem. The religious teachers suggest that the long-awaited Messiah might be in Bethlehem, and they quote this prophecy of Micah.

This is a case where a prophecy is made hundreds of years before the event, and it unfolds just as the prophet declared. Jesus is born in Bethlehem even though it takes a decree of Caesar to make his mother, heavy with child, leave the comfortable environs of her hometown and hazard the long journey.

The interplay between the king of this world and the King of kings is intriguing, startling, and breathtaking. The religious teachers of the day are right to fear the child, and Herod's far is also justified. From beginning to end this child pulls down every stronghold and authority that exalts itself against the name of God. Ultimately, he supplants the kingdoms of this world. All her kingdoms become the kingdoms of our God and of his Christ. And his greatness reaches to the ends of the earth.