A Faith Journey: When God uses the Inconvenient and Unexpected
Pastor Kyle Veach
Have you ever stopped to think about the significance of where you were born? It's a question we don't often ponder, but it can reveal a lot about our identities and journeys. In a world full of diverse backgrounds and experiences, the place of your birth can shape the way you speak, the sports teams you support, and even the way you perceive convenience.
Let's dive into a thought-provoking exploration of how the birthplace of Jesus was a journey of faith for Mary and Joseph, obediently following God. Click the link above for the full message if you want to explore further.
What Your Birthplace Says About You
You can learn a lot about someone when you ask them the question, "Where were you born?" It's a simple question, but it can reveal a lot. Were you born in one place and spent your entire childhood there? Or maybe you moved frequently, adapting to different regions and dialects. This simple question can uncover the nuances that make us unique, like whether you say "soda" or "pop," "orange" or "arange," or "y'all" or "you guys." It even extends to the fascinating variety of names for fireflies: lightning bugs, fireflies, firebugs, glow worms, or June bugs. And let's not forget about the dedication of sports fans who follow teams with multimillion-dollar players.
In considering birthplaces, let's take a step back and delve into a familiar moment in Jesus' story.
Exploring the Journey Through Luke 2:1-5
In Luke 2:1-5, we read about the Roman emperor Augustus decreeing a census throughout the Roman Empire. This was a significant event, as it required everyone to return to their ancestral towns for registration. Joseph, a descendant of King David, had to travel from Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem in Judea with Mary, who was expecting a child. Bethlehem lies outside the city of Jerusalem and was also the early home of King David.
Luke 2:1-5 - At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child.
Jesus’s birth in Bethlehem was not just a random pick on the map. God did not blindly spin a globe and plop his finger on it and announce to the angels, “Bethlehem it is!” Bethlehem was divinely ordained hundreds of years before Jesus was even born. Ironically enough, it was not close to Nazareth! In fact, Nazareth and Bethlehem are 90 miles apart. If you are a woman who has birthed children, or a man who has experienced a pregnant wife, can you imagine a 90-mile journey at 9 months pregnant??
A Divine Perspective on Inconvenience
We live in an age of convenience, with Amazon Go delivering products to our doorstep within hours. But what happens when things aren't as convenient as we'd like them to be? In those moments, when we question, "God, where are you?" or "God, what are you doing?" we must remember that Bethlehem was an inconvenient yet necessary stop.
The Importance of Bethlehem: Bethlehem holds a crucial place in history, as both King David and Jesus were born there. In 1 Samuel 17:12, we learn that David hailed from Bethlehem. Jesus' birth in Bethlehem fulfilled an Old Testament prophecy in Micah 5:2.
Micah 5:2 - 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.
Mary & Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem was incredibly inconvenient, but it fulfilled prophecies and the thread of the redemption story throughout the entire biblical narrative!
In fact, the name "Bethlehem" itself is significant, as it means "house of bread," a fitting symbol considering that Jesus proclaimed, "I am the bread of life" (John 6:35).
Connecting the Dots: The thematic thread of bread runs through the Bible. In the Old Testament, God provided bread to sustain the Israelites during their 40-year desert journey, signifying His role as a sustainer. The Lord's Prayer includes the request, "Give us this day our daily bread," highlighting God's provision. During the Last Supper, Jesus initiated communion by breaking bread and declaring, "This is my body." Bethlehem, the "house of bread," is intrinsically linked to Jesus, the "bread of life."
The Divine Nature of Inconvenience
What Mary and Joseph had to see as inconvenient, God was using to fulfill His promise. What you see as an inconvenience, God sees as divine!
When we lack clarity about the bigger picture, life can feel purposeless. As followers of Jesus, we are His apprentices, learning from Him and leading others to Him. If we make life all about ourselves, we risk living a purposeless existence. To follow God and trust that He will direct our steps requires faith (Hebrews 11:1).
Faith as Fuel
Our faith serves as our fuel, and it matters what we fuel ourselves with. We must be willing to embrace inconvenience as part of God's divine plan and put our faith in Jesus to fuel us through the confusing and difficult times.
Overcoming Three Common Obstacles | Why We Don’t go to Bethlehem
Now, let's address three common obstacles that often prevent us from embracing “journeying to Bethlehem” moments in our lives.
1. We Are the Experts
Laying Down Expertise: Sometimes, our expertise becomes more important than God's plan. We've become so sure of ourselves that we no longer seek God's guidance. Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us to trust in the Lord with all our hearts and not lean on our own understanding. We are called to be followers of Jesus, not self-proclaimed experts. Joseph could have easily believed he had a better plan keeping his very pregnant fiancé at home to prevent her from going into labor! But instead, Joseph succumbed to trusting in God’s provision over their journey.
2. We Have Expectations
Anticipating God's Move: Living in a convenient world can lead to unrealistic expectations. We may not fully grasp God's plan, but we don't need to in order to trust His purpose. Delay doesn't mean denial, and God often uses waiting seasons to prepare us for His blessings. Being impregnated by the Holy Spirit was definitely not part of Mary’s plan, but submitting to His will always was. So even though we may not understand why we are where we are, the Holy Spirit guides us and reminds us of God’s closeness.
3. We Are Afraid
Overcoming Fear: Fear can be a powerful obstacle. The text suggests that bringing a pregnant fiancée to a family gathering might not be an ideal situation. Yet, when God's hand is on your life, there's nothing to fear. Deuteronomy 31:8 reassures us that the Lord personally goes ahead of us, never failing or abandoning us.
Deuteronomy 31:8 - Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.
Saying Yes to Jesus: Mary and Joseph initially both cowered in fear when the angel of the Lord met with each of them. But when it was clear that this was God’s plan for them and for humanity, they said yes and submitted to God’s will. Instead of being controlled by fear, let's learn to say "yes" to Jesus. Trust that He knows the way, even when it seems uncertain.
Conclusion: Embrace the Bethlehem Moments
In conclusion, the place of your birth holds a unique significance, just as Bethlehem played a vital role in the birth of Jesus. What you perceive as inconvenience might be God's divine plan unfolding. By overcoming obstacles like expertise, misaligned expectations, and fear, you can embrace your Bethlehem moments and follow God's lead.
Remember, God's ways are not always convenient, but they are always purposeful. So, where were you born, and how has that shaped your journey with Jesus?
Further Reading
Explore more on this topic with these Christian-based articles and resources:
Other Links
Want to hear more from Pastor Kyle Veach? Check out last week's message titled, "Finding God’s Favor."
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