Is it fitting that Christ was born in a place called “Bethlehem” or “House of Bread?” 509 - 5 - 6

Bethlehem, a city in Judah, means “house of bread, food” and was the birthplace of King David. It was little, insignificant, and in my opinion perfect for one coming as the suffering Messiah. Ephratah means “ash-heap: place of fruitfulness” and is another name for Bethlehem, avoiding any confusion as which Bethlehem was being referenced.

Micah 5:2, “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”

Not only does Micah tell of the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, a place of fruitfulness, he speaks to Jesus’ future Kingdom and that Jesus has been from everlasting.

 “The child was born in Bethlehem, but the Son was from everlasting.” [Scofield Reference Notes]

Bread and wine are paired in the Old Testament; a foretelling of the wine and bread of the Last Supper? Genesis 14:18, “And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.” Later when Joseph is in prison he interprets dreams of both the cupbearer and a baker to the Pharaoh. Again, the joining of wine and bread.

As the bread of life Jesus preached a sermon that was very hard for people to understand. John 6:54-55 “54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. 55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. 56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.”

Many took him literally believing He was referring to His actual body and blood rather than it being a metaphor.

“6:55 The flesh of the Lord Jesus is food indeed, and His blood is drink indeed. This is in contrast to the food and drink of this world which is only of temporary value. The value of the death of the Lord Jesus is never-ending. Those who partake of Him by faith receive life that goes on forever.” [Believer’s Bible Commentary]

1 Corinthians 11, on the night that Jesus was betrayed he established what would become known as holy Communion. We are to partake of wine and bread in remembrance of the blood and broken body of Jesus given as propitiation for our sins.

It didn’t take long for heresy to creep into the church. Catholics celebrate the Lord’s table as being the actual flash and blood of Jesus through Transfiguration. Blood and wine, again a metaphor. Just as when Jesus said he was the door he wasn’t saying that he was made of wood. John 10:7, “Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door (G2374) of the sheep.” 

Door, Strong’s G2374, a portal or entrance (the opening or the closure, literally or figuratively): - door, gate.

Jesus was and is the Bread of Life, what a fitting place for His birth; Bethlehem the “House of Bread.”