And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.” (Matthew 2:14-15 ESV)
Has it ever occurred to you that nothing has ever occurred to God? Nothing that has ever caught us by surprise has ever caught Him unprepared or unaware. In our lives, it is a Biblical certainty that we will face trials and tribulations. Jesus encourages us that even in the midst of those moments, no matter how trying they might be, we can rejoice because He has overcome the world (see John 16:33). We must learn to rest in this Biblical reality: God is sovereign.
After the wisemen rejoiced with exceedingly great joy, after their worship of the One born King of the Jews, and after their presentation of gifts to Jesus, these men returned home. The text adds an important detail, these faithful travelers were “warned in a dream not to return to Herod” so they departed to their country a different way than they came (see Matthew 2:12). Although we don’t know what the specific warning was or what danger God was supernaturally protecting them from, we do see the heartbreak that would unfold because of Herod’s evil determination to try and thwart the plans of God.
Let us remember that nothing and no one, no matter how powerful or determined, will ever derail the perfect plan of God. It wasn’t just the wise men who were warned, Joseph, the legal father of Jesus was also warned by an angel to flee. We are reminded that not only was Herod and all of Jerusalem troubled at the arrival of the wise men seeking to worship the One born King of the Jews, but that Herod had no intention of advocating his throne. Herod intended to kill Jesus, and probably his entire family, to ensure that there was no challenge, legitimate or otherwise, to his seat of power.
From our previous look at the Scriptures we are reminded that Joseph and Mary were a poor family. Before the wise men visited them that day and presented their gifts, there is no doubt they wouldn’t have had the resources to flee Herod or his murderous intent. How incredible that God provided for their needs before they ever became aware they had one. This Christmas season I hope you’ll pause and reflect on this truth: God knows and promises to meet your needs. Jesus reminds us of this truth like this: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33 ESV)
I’d like to pause for a moment and point on this Biblical truth: God knows. The enemy wants to try and convince you that if God exists, He doesn’t know you, your problems, or the situations you face. If he can’t convince you of that lie, then he tries to convince you that if God does know, He is powerless to really do anything to help you. If that lie fails, the enemy tries to convince you that if God does know and if God does have the power to help, He probably won’t. Never let us forget that Jesus is the greatest gift God can give us (Himself) and He won’t hold any good thing back from us (see Romans 8:32).
As Joseph is warned, we see this faithful family doing what they often did: They faithfully trusted God and obeyed. Matthew reveals a detail to us concerning the flight of Jesus and His earthly family to Egypt: It was always God’s plan. We see that although this startling, no doubt very scary experience, was probably traumatic for this whole family, it was a part of God’s plan. Romans 8:28 is the reminder that God is using all things for our good and His glory. This does not mean that all things are good, it just means that we can trust God to do something beautiful in our brokenness and with our mess.
As you search the Old Testament Scriptures concerning God’s promised Messiah, you learn that the statistical probability of any one person fulfilling all of God’s prophetic promises is statistically impossible. Unless that person is the One and the only One that all of the Scriptures were pointing to. Spoiler alert: The only One who could and has fulfilled all these things is Jesus Christ our Lord.
Heavenly Father, thank You that even in the midst of trials, grief, pain, and suffering, that if we are in Christ ,You are supernaturally working out all things for our good and Your glory. Thank You for the way You provided for Joseph, Mary, and Jesus in the midst of their own trials and the reminder that You have been and will be faithful to us. Thank You that You are an amazing, promise keeping God who is always faithful to Your Word. Jesus, thank You for the truth that You are our sympathetic High Priest and for the first hand knowledge You have of the types of things we face. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
