Consider Jesus: Governor, Ruler

Let us continue to “consider Jesus.” (Heb. 3:1) 

Matt. 2:6 “AND YOU, BETHLEHEM, LAND OF JUDAH, ARE BY NO MEANS LEAST AMONG THE LEADERS OF JUDAH; FOR OUT OF YOU SHALL COME FORTH A RULER [Governor - KJV], WHO WILL SHEPHERD MY PEOPLE ISRAEL.”

The promise is the He will “rule” or “shepherd” God’s people (literally, “oversee and feed”). The great promised the Messiah coming to Israel was to be born in the somewhat obscure town of Bethlehem. The Jewish authorities were easily able to point the magi to the right place when they came looking for the newborn king. 

They all knew that the ruler to come was from Bethlehem, but the rulers of the Jews mistook the type of ruler He would be. Isaiah prophesied that He would have the government on his shoulders, and He would be a great rulers: “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” (9:6) 

Prophecies of the great ruler to come often spoke of His caring nature as well as His great authority.  The prophecy of Micah 5:2 speaks of Him as ruler while just two verses later, vs. 4, speaks of Him as shepherd. He is a ruler, but one who very much has these best interest of those He rules in mind. 

He is a ruler, a governor, but one with authority and concern like no other.