The birthplace controversy

John 7:40 ... "This man surely is the Prophet."

41 Others said, "He is the Messiah." Still others said, "But he can't be! Will the Messiah come from Galilee?

42 For the Scriptures clearly state that the Messiah will be born of the royal line of David, in Bethlehem, the village where King David was born."

43 So the crowd was divided in their opinion about him.

44 And some wanted him arrested, but no one touched him.

45 The Temple guards who had been sent to arrest him returned to the leading priests and Pharisees. "Why didn't you bring him in?" they demanded.

46 "We have never heard anyone talk like this!" the guards responded.

47 "Have you been led astray, too?" the Pharisees mocked.

48 "Is there a single one of us rulers or Pharisees who believes in him?

49 These ignorant crowds do, but what do they know about it? A curse on them anyway!"

50 Nicodemus, the leader who had met with Jesus earlier, then spoke up.

51 "Is it legal to convict a man before he is given a hearing?" he asked.

52 They replied, "Are you from Galilee, too? Search the Scriptures and see for yourself -- no prophet ever comes from Galilee!"

53 Then the meeting broke up and everybody went home. (NLT)

The birthplace controversy was happening regarding Jesus' being a true prophet. It was a test from scriptures to prove that he was the real messiah of the Jews. The religious leaders saw his works and his words, they were wonderful, yet they did not want to believe in him, so they used his birthplace as evidence that he was not their messiah. They assumed that Jesus was from Nazareth. Mary, his birth mother was from Nazareth as was his legal father Joseph. He lived and increased in wisdom and stature, living in Nazareth.

Mark 1:9 And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.

The prophet Micah gave his birthplace as the city of David with another proof, that he was from everlasting. Only God is from everlasting.

Micah 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

We know from the Bible that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, where Mary and Joseph went to be registered for taxation purposes, because both he and Mary were of the lineage of king David. The Messiah was to inherit an eternal kingdom and be of the house of David.

Luke 2:4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

There are so many proofs that Jesus is the Messiah that came to save the Jews and then the Gentiles, through faith in his works. The very works of Jesus proved that he was from God. I will let the reader look for all the evidence and proofs that Jesus was the Messiah, the Christ, the savior from our sins through our belief in him. It takes little evidence for an unbeliever to continue in unbelief. A believer should find many reasons for believing, for there are many proofs.

John 14:5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

John 14:7  If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. 

John 14:9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? 

John 14:10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
John 14:11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.

Jesus is Lord and his life was lived in truth. There is another birthplace controversy regarding our president.  People believe because they choose to believe in him. Others do not believe him, they say that he is not a man of truth. Truth matters and we are to know a true or false ruler by their fruit. Again, it comes down to belief or unbelief and it is up to each of us to believe either the truth or the lie. I want to believe and live in truth. Truth is important to me and the children of God. We can think we know something and not know enough truth to really know. There is an abundance of proof that Jesus is the Messiah, the eternal Son of God. The Bible tells us so and we are to make our salvation sure. We will be tested. Will we live and die believing in Jesus Christ as our Lord and savior? I believe in him and my eyes are fixed on him. He is faithful and true and he is my Lord and Savior.