Born in Bethlehem?

One of the problems Jews had with Jesus being the Savior was that the expected Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem, and although he was born in Bethlehem people that he was born in Nazareth since he grew up there. But reading the story of his birth, he was born when a decree was sent out that all people must be taxed in their own city. This was probably also a census. Jesus was born in Bethlehem, and was most likely recorded there. At least recorded for tax purposes under Joseph. There was without a doubt some in the land of Israel that were capable of viewing these documents.

Just as in today's society, many find ways to prove the miracles of God wrong using His word. But it only functions as they don't look only surface deep. If that people had looked further they would have realized that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, and it was a miracle that he was not killed by King Herod's slaughter. There were the other prophecies of how the Messiah would come up out of Egypt, and would be called a Nazareene (sp). Jesus fulfilled all the prophecies. This amazing fact would only increases ones belief in Him! But because of looking surface deep Jesus of Nazareth seemed to be a fraud.

May we also look beyond the apparent discrepancies in God's wonderful gospel and realize the great truths that tie it all together.