When Israel was a youth I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son. Hosea 1:1
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet.” …. Now when they (magi) had gone, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up! Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him.” So, Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was still night and left for Egypt. He remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called My Son.” Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and sent and slew all the male children who were in Bethlehem and all its vicinity, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the Magi. Then what had been spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: “A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children; and she refused to be comforted, because they were no more.” But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, and said, “Get up, take the Child and His mother, and go into the land of Israel; for those who sought the Child's life are dead.” So, Joseph got up, took the Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel. Matthew 2:1-5, 13-21
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:1-5
Today’s highlighted portion tells us Herod has died and the threat to Jesus is gone. An angel of the Lord appears to Joseph and instructs him to take the child and his mother back to Israel. Joseph carries out his instructions and the prophecy is fulfilled: “out of Egypt I called My son”. We saw earlier in the week that the significance of God’s son, Jesus Christ, being called out of Egypt isn’t so much seen in his movement from Egypt to Israel but rather in his identification
with Israel for whom God had such great intentions. Jesus will succeed where Israel didn’t. Jesus will grow up and complete his mission of being the Savior of the World so that by the end of time God will have restored this lost and fallen world back to what he had intended for it originally.
When we trace all the enemy’s attempts to derail Christ’s mission throughout his time here on earth, we are amazed at the following: how bad things are used for good, seeming detours become vital to the fulfillment of Christ’s mission, and the enemy does not win even though it seems like he has when Jesus ends up on the cross. The cruel tool of the cross actually secures the victory and defeats the enemy. What a reversal. We must remember that we are on the winning team and that for the bad things (tribulations) that confront us on our journey through life, God has miraculous reversals waiting just around the bend. So, we can take courage, be full of faith, and know that God has abundant comfort and care for our suffering and hurt. And, of course, we have the great solace that all the tough things we go through as we participate in His kingdom work are the very means He uses to wonderfully expand the reach of His kingdom of love. We are truly blessed!
We have arrived at the end of our week and our series about the original Christmas story. It is hoped that this devotional series has led to moments of being overwhelming amazed at how spectacular the intervention of God is in the original Christmas story of Scripture (Old & New Testaments) and that accordingly you have become more established in the expectation that God will spectacularly intervene in the story of your life and the challenging details it includes.
Lord, I confess that what I consider to be a blessing is far too often influenced by my materialistic and humanistic orientations. You are wise and Almighty and know what is necessary and best. Thank you for never giving up on me and for always working to orient me to what really counts. I do see the blessing of tribulation and how you use the suffering in my life to expand your kingdom. This Christmas I choose the beauty of your kingdom and whatever suffering comes with it over the glitter of stuff and its passing pleasure. Amen!
