I am the Bread

Joseph went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary his betrothed, who was with child. - Luke 2:4-5

Bethlehem is defined in the text as the city of David.  Why is it the city of David?  Best I can research, it is because that is where David is from and where he was crowned as the king of Israel.  1 Samuel 17:12 says that "David was the son of an Ephrathite named Jesse, who was from Bethlehem in Judah".  David grew up there and because of his life as a follower of the living God who received the promise of God that the Savior would be born of his lineage (2 Samuel 7, 1 Chronicles 17), it is important to recognize that this birthplace is Bethlehem, the city of David.

The name Bethlehem means "house of bread".  I find that to be as spiritually significant as it being the city of David, but I don't hear this discussed too much.  I find it striking that Jesus, the Savior, the Christ, was born in the house of bread.  Further, He was placed in a manger.  The trough upon which animals feed.  I find this a little overwhelming. 

So many people discuss how He was born in a common man's town, and in a poor manner.  Is there rich or poor in the eyes of God?  Yes, but only in the spiritual sense.  There are those who know God personally and live to know Him in a closer way every day; these people are very, very rich.  There are those who do not know Him and refuse Him at every turn, they scorn His name and attack those who know Him; these people are very, very poor.  I find that Jesus was born in a kingly manner, the highest of the high and to royalty - given how God views the reality of rich and poor.  His Mom had been impregnated by God Himself, after seeing an archangel.  His father had seen visions in dreams.  Who else can say such a thing?  Angels reported His birth with heavenly host singing praises to God; a star was visible to show where He was; who else can report this at their birth?  "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.  For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:43-45)  Jesus was born, given, as the ultimate servant.  He came to serve all who will allow it.  It is not possible for there to be one who is greater.  This is the most royal birth ever, I'd say.

And there He lay, as bread in a feeding trough in the house of bread.  Bread to be eaten by all who will accept Him as God.  "While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.  She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger" (Luke 2:6-7).  God sent Him, but she, a human with an internal deficiency called sin, placed Him in the feeding trough.  "While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to His disciples, saying, 'Take and eat; this is my body.'" (Matthew 26:26)  Jesus broke His body willingly and gave it to those who will be His disciples. 

He was born in the house of bread, put into a feed trough by man as food for man to eat by God, and willingly broke Himself for us.  "Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life ... I am the bread of life.  Whoever comes to Me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in Me will never be thirsty." (John 6:27,35)