v 2

A Scanty Baby

His birth is in a small, insignificant place.

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little

among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall

come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose

goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.”

Bethlehem was a small, insignificant place.

The Bethlehem Baby is humility in the flesh.

He washed the feet of His disciples (Jn 13).

Phil 2:4-11.

v 2

A Sovereign Baby

Jesus reigns over all.

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little

among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall

come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel.”

Jesus is a ruler.

“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth”

(Matt 28:18).

“Let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has

made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ”

(Acts 2:36).

“Lord” means “master.”

“Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters

according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of

heart, as to Christ” (Eph 6:5).

We have the obligation to obey the words of Jesus.

The one who does God’s will, the will Jesus Himself

taught, shall enter the kingdom of heaven (Matt 7:21).

The one who obeys the words of Jesus is like a wise

man building a solid foundation for eternity (Lk 6:47-

48).

v 2

A Senior Baby

Jesus is well beyond ancient.

The One to come out of Bethlehem and rule is One

“whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.”

Micah affirms Jesus’ pre-existence.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,

and the Word was God” (Jn 1:1).

Christ “is before all things, and in Him all things consist” (Col

1:17).

Jesus Himself claimed pre-existence.

“Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM” (Jn

8:58).

Before the Incarnation:

The Father created the world through Him (Jn 1:10).

Jesus provided the Israelites with food in the

wilderness (1 Cor 10:4).

Such a belief is absolutely indispensable to

salvation.

“If you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your

sins” (Jn 8:24).

Ex 3:14.

Many groups deny Jesus’ pre-existence.

vv 3-4

A Shepherding Baby

Jesus is the shepherd of His people.

“He shall give them up, Until the time that she who is in

labor has given birth; Then the remnant of His brethren

Shall return to the children of Israel. And He shall stand

and feed His flock In the strength of the Lord, In the

majesty of the name of the Lord His God; And they

shall abide, For now He shall be great To the ends of

the earth.”

The Lord announces judgment on His people.

There would be two captivities.

Shepherds had an important role in protecting their

sheep.

1 Sam 17:34-35.

Jesus, in His role as a shepherd, protects His sheep.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life

for the sheep” (Jn 10:11).

Jesus’ protection:

In temptation (1 Cor 10:13).

In death (Rev 2:11).

In resurrection (Jn 11:25-26).

Is Jesus your Shepherd?

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