The Journey to the Cross 2017, Day 3

Friday, Day 3:  Matthew 2                            

Matthew doesn’t tell us why or how Joseph and Mary got from Nazareth to Bethlehem; doesn’t tell about their going from inn to inn trying to find room, and finally being given a spot in the stable with the animals; doesn’t tell us about the shepherds in the field and the myriad of angels who appeared to them, doesn’t tell us about the shepherds coming to see the baby in the manger.  Nothing about Jesus at all between the resolution of His conception and when he was about 2 years old!   Nope!  Matthew jumps straight from telling us about Joseph getting on board with the impending birth to the visit of the wise men.  He is ticking off the prophecies and letting us know succinctly and clearly that Jesus fulfilled them all. 

When Herod inquired of the chief priests and scribes where the Christ was to be born Matthew 2:5 & 6 records their response: 

They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:  “And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.” (ESV)

Sneaky Herod pretended to want to go worship this newborn phenomenon, when in fact he purposed to kill him. 

The wise men did indeed find Jesus in a house in Bethlehem, a toddler by then it would appear, and they fell down and worshipped him, then gave him expensive gifts – gifts that upon being sold would provide all the financial support needed for he and his family to thrive while in Egypt, where they were sent that very night when an angel appeared to Joseph again in a dream and told him to take his little family and flee immediately…and they did. 

And, in one of the saddest parts of the narrative, in Herod’s fury and fervor to kill the young promised ‘king’ he feared being a threat to his monarchy, he had all the little boys 2 years old and younger murdered, fulfilling yet another prophecy:

Matthew 2:18

“A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.”

I am visual, and that part of the story elicits absolute agony when I read it and imagine the horror and resulting grief. 

Just a few years later, after Herod died, Joseph was visited by an angel again in a dream, and this time the angel sent them back to Israel.   But because Herod’s son was the new ruler, Joseph went back to Nazareth, not Bethlehem, even though it meant Joseph and Mary would have to face the risk of being judged by people in their community who knew she was pregnant before she was married.  Going back to their hometown fulfilled another prophecy:  that the Messiah would be called a Nazarene.

Humor for today:

My middle daughter decided to institute a new plan for their household.  She didn’t want there to be any more raised voices.  The increased volume just leads to more drama – and she wanted to train her kids to learn to listen the first time a direction was given instead of ignoring her until she raised her voice…  So – just a couple of days after the wonderful new plan was adopted, her eldest daughter, who had refined arguing to an art form, pushed too far too long, and my daughter raised her voice. 

Immediately her 3-year-old piped up and said, “Mommy, I could pray with you right now that Jesus would take that yucky sin away from you.” 

Postscript:

I  absolutely must add a current postscript to today's blog entry.  I had the privilege and blessing of attending the Washington State Governor's Prayer Breakfast this morning.  On the way to the 7 a m gathering, I prayed for a Divine Appointment.  God provided that, as well as excellent inspiring speakers and a special added treat of getting a selfie with Tyler Lockett.  I came home energized and full of joy!