Faith Expressions

Bethlehem

Bethlehem was the birthplace of Jesus Christ and the hometown of his legal father, Joseph, and King David. In Bethlehem, Mary gave birth to baby Jesus, wrapped him in strips of cloth and placed him in a manger because there was no inn available. Jesus was the child conceived in Mary’s womb through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Relevant Bible Verses: Luke 2:4-7, Luke 2:8-12, Matthew 1:18-21 and Luke 1:34-35

Egypt

Egypt was the country where the Holy Family – Jesus, Mary and Joseph – went to escape the massacre of children in Bethlehem. King Herod learned about the birth of Jesus from three traveling magi who was following the star of the “King of the Jews.” Herod instructed them to return to him after finding the exact place where Jesus was born. When the three magi did not return to King Herod after they had visited the “King of the Jews” in Bethlehem, Herod got furious and ordered the massacre of all boys 2 years old and below. The order was carried out but before the massacre happened, an angel of the Lord instructed Joseph – in a dream – to leave Bethlehem immediately and go to Egypt.

Relevant Bible Verses: Matthew 2:1-3, 7-8 and Matthew 2:16-18

Nazareth

Nazareth was the town of Mary in the region of Galilee and the town where the Holy Family lived after returning from Egypt upon learning about the death of Herod. It was the boyhood town of Jesus where he grew and became strong with the blessing of God. It was the place where Jesus lived for about 30 years and the place where he began his ministry of preaching, healing and reconciliation with a reading of a scroll of the prophet Isaiah in the synagogue. During the initial stage of his ministry, Jesus was unable to perform miracles in Nazareth – except for the healing of a few sick people – because of the people’s lack of faith in him.

Relevant Bible Verses: Luke 1:26-27, Matthew 2:13-15, Matthew 2:19-23, Luke 2:39-40, Luke 4:16, Luke 4:16-21 and Mark 6:1-6

Jerusalem

Jerusalem was the city where Mary and Joseph presented Jesus to the Lord as required by the Law of Moses. The temple priest who presided over the event was a righteous man named Simeon who had been waiting to see God’s salvation. He took Jesus in his arms, thanked God and said: “Lord, now I can die in peace! As you promised me, I have seen the Savior you have given to all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!” (Luke 2:29-32 / NLT 1997)

Jerusalem was the city where the Holy Family went every year to attend the Passover festival. It was during one of these yearly pilgrimages that the twelve-year-old Jesus “got lost.” He was found, later, in the temple, discussing certain things with religious teachers who were amazed with the intelligence of Jesus.

Jerusalem was the city where Jesus told Nicodemus the reason for the coming of the messiah. It was the city where Jesus attended religious festivals, performed many miracles, preached the good news of salvation and told the people who he was. It was the city where he made his triumphant entry as a savior during the final stage of his ministry. The event happened during the Passover festival. Riding on a donkey, Jesus entered the city and he was greeted by a large crowd who shouted, “Bless the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in highest heaven!” (Luke 19:38 / NLT 1997) It was the city where Jesus – for once – made an aggressive physical display of his anger. He drove out the people who were buying and selling inside the temple and overturned the tables of money-changers. He said: “The Scriptures declare, ’My Temple will be called a place of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves!” (Matthew 21:13 / NLT 1997)

Jerusalem was the city where Jesus taught the people about the two greatest commandments of God. It was the city where he washed the feet of his disciples and ate his last supper with them before he was betrayed by one of his disciples; yet, Jesus gave them a new commandment on love. It was the city where he was put on trial, sentenced to die on the cross and crucified on Golgotha. Jerusalem was the city where Jesus was buried and, on the third day, rose from the dead.

Relevant Bible Verses: Luke 2:22-32, Luke 2:41-47, John 3:16-17, John 2:23, John 7:10-11, John 7:14-15, John 2:23, John 7:30-31, John 7:16-18, John 7:37-39, John 8:12, John 8:58, Luke 19:37-40, Matthew 21:12-13, Mark 12:28-31, John 13:3-9, Mark 14:22-25, Mark 14:43-49, John 13:34-35; Mark 15:1-5, John 18:28-40, John 19:1-18, John 19:38-42 and John 20:1-18

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