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| The Nativity |
The story behind the birth of Jesus Christ fulfilled the prophecies regarding his birth to a virgin mother, signs in the heavens, and his birthplace of Bethlehem. However, because he dwelt in Nazareth, he became known as Jesus of Nazareth. Thus, it was easy for people to reject him and his ministry--he wasn't called Jesus of Bethlehem, afterall.
Likewise, did anyone ask when his birthday was? If they had, they might find in the records or even recall the huge star that lit up the night on that date. At the very least, they might recall the slaughter of children in Bethlehem by Herod's jealous raid around that period of time--another prophesied event.
Again, because Mary was married to Joseph the Carpenter, it was an easy assumption that Joseph was the father of Jesus. Because people made these assumptions, they easily dismissed the Savior's testimony that he was their long-awaited Messiah asking, "Is this not the carpenter's son?" (Matthew 13:55).
Perhaps it would be wise of each of us to not so readily dismiss things that don't fit within our paradigm of how both God and the world work. The simple exercise of exploring claims, asking questions, researching, and discerning may unravel astounding truths to us that we would have otherwise missed without the effort. In the case for Jesus Christ, not exploring His origins and witness led to eternal consequences for his critics. Let's not follow their short-sightededness.
