How Far is Bethlehem From Calvary

Scripture: But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village in Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel will come from you, one whose origins are from the distant past. Micah 5:2

This time of year always makes me think about Mary. Several years ago I was big pregnant and due to deliver in late January. I looked like a Christmas ball in my festive red sweater on Christmas day. I pondered then how miserable Mary must have been on that donkey. Yet we are never told of anything but her joy. Amazing how once the baby arrives you miraculously forget the misery of pregnancy.

So tonight my husband was preparing a sermon and pointed out to me that the only person we know for sure that was there the night Jesus was born and also present when he died at Calvary was Mary, the dear mother of Christ. It was only about 6 miles from Bethlehem to Calvary, but no one traveled except Mary?

Interesting, you know news travels fast and I am certain there were people there who probably knew Jesus, but there was no one that was there the night the cosmos split and God himself came into this world in a stable. There were no baby showers or visits from dignitaries. That night, the night that would change the world went mostly unnoticed. But Mary noticed. She loved him, and watched him grow. She followed his interests and his disappointments like any good mother does. She followed him all the way from Bethlehem to Calvary, which may have only been geographically 6 miles. However, it was a long way Spiritually. In Bethleham Mary delivered Jesus, but 33 years later, only 6 miles down the road, Jesus delivered Mary.

May we all have the same heart as Mary to go the whole way... "I am the Lord's servant, and I am willing to accept whatever he wants." Luke 1:38

Prayer: God thank you for loving us enough to send Jesus to be a man to die in my place. Amen.

Prayer Tip: try putting yourself in the place of a bible character and imagining how they feel and respond to the story that is written. This is a great way to let God speak to you during your prayer time.

Leslie Stephens
Winchester, TN