Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. … But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see – I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord’” (Luke 2:4, 10-11).
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BETHLEHEM:
Jesus challenged these powers residing in Jerusalem, and they each played a hand in crucifying him.
So, Luke is making a political statement by naming Bethlehem the city of David.
Jesus challenged Herod’s claim to be king, and asserted that Herod’s temple, with its wealth and corruption, was not the center of religious life.
He cleansed the temple of its moneychangers that took advantage of peasant pilgrims and enriched the temple cult (see Matthew 21).
He confronted the high priest and the Sanhedrin who claimed to represent the interests of the people before a righteous God.
By calling Bethlehem the city of David, Luke highlights Jesus’ opposition to the powers that be in Jerusalem.
He reminds his readers that David didn’t come from a place of great power, but from a little town known as least of all the cities of Judah (see Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:6).
The true “Anointed One” would come from there also, and he would stand up for the little guys like the shepherds outside of Bethlehem.
The Messiah would stand up against the wealth, power and corruption of Jerusalem and would rule with justice and equity, not favoring the “haves” but blessing the “have-nots.”
In the words of his mother Mary, through this child from Bethlehem the Lord “has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away” (Luke 1:46-53)
King David, the great-grandson of Ruth and Boaz was born and raised in Bethlehem, and there David’s mighty men lived. Bethlehem eventually came to be called the City of David as the symbol of his great dynasty. It grew into an important, strategic, and fortified city under King Rehoboam.