Written for the Methodist Churches Online Bible study, A Word in Time. The original post appears here
Now after they had left, 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 about to search for the child, to destroy him.’ (v. 13)
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Psalm: Psalm 148
Background
This is the passage from the Christmas story that we all want to forget. After the birth of Jesus and the excitement of the visits of the shepherds, magi and all those angels, comes the reality of what happens when the powerful feel threatened. Herod, the puppet king of the region, has realised he has been tricked and this promised, new-born king is still out there and a threat to his throne. As all tyrants, he reacts in a familiar way, waging war on the innocent. Jesus is born into this world of pain and brokenness, a world that desperately needs saving. Matthew reminds us that amongst the glitter, presents and sweet manger scenes is the reality of the world we live in.
This story alludes to another escape that we find in the Old Testament which forms a foundation for much of our faith. As Joseph takes Mary and Jesus to Egypt to escape the coming danger, it reminds us of the Exodus story. God’s people rescued from famine only to be enslaved by another tyrant and then liberated from slavery when God heard their cry.
What about today?
The world we inhabit can often seem broken, beyond repair when we look at it. Hatred, destruction and pain can be found in so many places. Yet, as in the Exodus story and this Good News that Matthew is just beginning to share with his readers, there is the hope of a saviour. That even in the darkest, most difficult moments there is hope and God will hear the cry of those who call out to him.
To Ponder:
- Have a think about the news stories you have read or seen this week. Pray for those that have saddened you.
- What are you hoping for in the next year?
Credits – ‘Word Clock’ by Matt Clark under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0