Scripture

That night Joseph left for Egypt with the child and Mary, his mother, and they stayed there until Herod’s death.

Observation

An angel of the Lord appears to Joseph in a dream and warns him to take his family to Egypt as Herod wants to kill the boy.

Furious, Herod orders all the boys in Bethlehem under two years old to be killed.

After Herod’s death, an angel again appears to Joseph to tell him that it is safe to return to Israel.

When Joseph learns that Judea is under the control of Herod’s son Archelaus, he takes the family to Nazareth in Galilee.

Application

In some ways, the life of Jesus reflects the history of Israel. Just as the nation fled to Egypt and then was called out of that land much later, Jesus and his family were forced to flee to Egypt to escape the ruthless tyranny of Herod. He later returned to grow up in Galilee in the village of Nazareth.

Matthew reminds us that this is to fulfil prophecy. Jesus was not an accident or a human invention. Much of His life, death, and resurrection were foretold by the Old Testament prophets

Herod tried to prevent a rival king taking his position. When God moves, no person, not even a powerful king, can resist Him.

Whatever plans God may have for my life, nobody can prevent them from coming to pass.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I confess that you are greater than human power. Thank you for the assurance that your ways will overcome every opposition. Amen.

Scripture

They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Observation

Some wise men from the east come to Jerusalem asking where is the newborn King. They had seen His star, and have now come to worship Him.

King Herod is disturbed by this, so he calls the priests and religious teachers together to tell him where the Messiah is to be born. They tell him that the Messiah will be born in Bethlehem

Herod sends the wise men to Bethlehem instructing them to return and to let him know the child’s location so he can worship Him too.

The wise men go to Bethlehem where the star leads them to Jesus and Mary. They open their treasure chests and give the child gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Application

We don’t normally think of a baby as worthy of worship, certainly not a baby of less than perfect pedigree.

These wise men saw that Jesus wasn’t just an ordinary baby. They were looking for a newborn king, and naturally assumed He would be found in a palace. Instead, they found him in an ordinary home.

They saw beyond the circumstances to recognise that this baby was no ordinary baby. So they worshipped him.

When we see Jesus, the only appropriate reaction is worship. He is the son of God, and so is worthy of our praise.

Our culture is dismissive of, even hostile to, the person of Christ. We need to swim against the current, bring ourselves to the throne of Christ, and worship Him.

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, you are worthy of my praise and worship. Help me to seek you and glorify you each and every day. Amen.