I hope you all had a merry Christmas this past week with your family. The holiday season can be difficult for some, but I pray that everyone was able to find a reason to be thankful this season.
We enjoyed Christmas with our family, or at least for
while it lasted.
Stockings that were once stuffed are now empty.
Our family that was all together is now dispersed.
We were left with trash bags full of wrapping paper,
the sound of toys being played with around the house, and leftovers in the
fridge waiting to be heated up and eaten again.
Our house that was once decorated in Christmas went back to normal.
In other words, life moves on. Responsibilities still
need to be tended to:
- Expectations are still needing to be met.
- Rules still have to be followed.
- Children are still needing to be raised.
- Etc
This made me think about what it was like for Joseph and Mary after Jesus was born.
Imagine how miraculous the scene was at the birth of Jesus in the little town of Bethlehem. Even in the midst of how humbling He came to earth, it was a holy moment. The magi coming afar to visit baby Jesus with gifts of gold frankincense, and myrrh. After spending time with baby Jesus, they left.
New parents Mary and Joseph were now alone with their miracle child, expected to provide, protect and raise him with all they had. Christmas had come, and Christmas had gone. Reality set in and life after Christmas had begun.
This is where we pick up in Matthew 2.
Matthew 2:13-15
Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, 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.” And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt and remained there until the death of Herod.
Life got serious for Joseph and Mary. Reality set in and Joseph was left with the responsibility they had been given.
They had been called by God to raise, protect,
provide, nurture and raise this child that would one day become the savior of
the world.
But HOW!! They were responsible for the only child of God! The savior of the world! The coming (now arrived) Messiah! How were they going to do what seemed to be an overwhelming task!?
Like Joseph, we too have been called by God to be a light in the world and share Jesus with our neighbors. God has given us a specific role in His kingdom. But How can we do what God has called us to do?
1.
God Spoke
to Joseph
v.13 - “Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the
Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said “Rise, 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.””
In the midst of everything that was expected of Joseph and Mary, God spoke to Joseph.
God made Joseph aware of the danger the child was in and also gave him direction on where to go; God prepared a way for him and Mary.
God did not leave them to have to figure everything out on their own. God was with them every step of the way.
Egypt was a well-ordered Roman province and was close nearby, out of Herod’s jurisdiction. Therefore it made sense for Joseph to be led there by the Holy Spirit. In fact, in almost every city in Egypt, there were most likely a certain population of Jews, as many sought refuge in Egypt when things got difficult for them. There was also a large Jewish population in the city of Alexandria in Egypt, approximately a million Jews resided there. Therefore, Joseph and Mary would not have been strangers in Egypt, in every town they most likely would have found Jews who were also seeking refuge.
God already had a plan in place for Joseph and Mary. God was not going to leave them alone.
Just as God was speaking to Joseph, God is speaking to you.
God still speaks today! God is always speaking, we just have to tune our ears to hear His voice. God’s foundational way of speaking to us is through His Word. The Word of God is the primary way that God speaks to us. His Word provides clarity in times of confusion. His Word brings a solution to a problem nobody else can solve. The Bible is the encapsulated Word of God!!
Hebrews 4:12
“For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
God is speaking to you today. God is not going to leave you on your own to have to figure things out by yourself. He will help you if you allow Him. God will never leave you nor forsake you.
2.
Joseph
Obeyed God
v.14 - “And he rose and took the child and his mother by night
and departed to Egypt…”
When God spoke to Joseph, he obeyed God and did as He told him. Joseph heard God and did exactly as God said. He did not wait, but got up that night and left for Egypt right then and there. Joseph was quick in his obedience.
The safety of baby Jesus and mother Mary was dependent on his obedience; surely Joseph realized this.
When God speaks, our obedience to follow through is vital. God speaks to us everyday through His word…it is our responsibility to obey and follow through.
Obeying God impacts more people than just yourself.
Obeying God may not always be just about you; as it effects other people in your life as well.
3.
Joseph
Trusted God
v.15 - “and remained there until the death of Herod.”
Joseph stayed where God told him to go until further notice. Joseph trusted God enough to remain in the last place God had told him to go. Joseph no doubt continued to be faithful where he was.
It easily could have been several years before Joseph heard from God again to leave Egypt and return to Israel.
Jesus was born around 4 B.C. Historians and theologians narrow Herod’s death to either 4 BC or 1 BC. They both have their reasons and doubts, but an account by Josephus writes that there was a lunar eclipse right before the death of Herod. Many believe that it was the eclipse recorded in 1 BC that would make the most sense. Jesus is believed to have been born in 4 BC. That would make Jesus around 3 years old at the time God spoke to Joseph to leave Egypt.
In turn, they could have been in Egypt for 3 YEARS!
It’s important to trust God where He has you now. God will speak to us when He is ready for us to move forward. Until then, it is our responsibility to remain faithful and do what God last commanded us to do. How we wait is more important than “how long” we wait.
Trusting God means to:
- Be content
- Be Satisfied
- Embrace
Philippians 4:11-13
“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
Takeaways:
1.
Allow God to
Speak to You - Open up the Word of
God and let God bring a fresh word in your life.
Romans 12:2
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal
of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God,
what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
2.
Step into your
calling through obedience - Your
obedience, or lack thereof, impacts the people around you.
3.
Remain
faithful where God has you - Be
content with where God has you and remain faithful.
Galatians 6:9
"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap a
harvest, if we do not give up.”
While reality is setting back in for all of us, it is also setting back in for everyone else who has not made Jesus Lord and savior of their life.
We must tell them about Jesus and trust God to bring them to repentance.
There is LIFE with Christ. Be sure to share it with someone this week in your world.
