Bible In A Year | Read: Matthew 2
13When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” 14So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, 15where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.” 16When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. 17Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: 18“A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.” Matthew 2:13-18
As the story of Jesus’ birth continues, we are introduced to magi, or wise men, who seek out the place of Jesus’ birth using a star in the sky. Little is known about these men. They unknowingly cause Herod the Great to become angry and kill all the male babies in Bethlehem. Historians confirm that Herod was a very insecure ruler who murdered those he perceived to be a threat, including family members. While giving these details of Jesus’ early childhood, Matthew points out that these events also fulfill Old Testament prophecies. To the typical Jew Matthew is writing to, Jesus’ humble beginnings would not fit with him being the Savior of humanity. Proving that all of this was intended by God was very important.
At times, things may feel out of control: like when there is a tragic accident, the loss of a job or the breakup of a relationship. However, God has a plan, even when things seem dark. We need to continue to trust even when we can’t see how the current situation can have a positive outcome. The grief is still real, as it was for the parents who lost their sons, but God will be the ultimate victor.
Action Step
What is God showing me? What am I going to do about it?
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