Matthew 2:13-18 – At a Terrible Cost

Joseph again is given a dream concerning the child to whom he has become step-father. This dream is a perplexing one. Joseph had seen the miraculous. He had experienced the divine. Now he would have to arise as Abraham and head out to Egypt in wide eyed faith. I don’t believe in blind faith – we either have faith or we don’t. We either follow God or we don’t. Joseph had the means through the gracious gifts of the Magi to pick up his new family and head to a foreign land and await God’s next command. Joseph acts accordingly. He leaves before daylight and heads to an uncertain future with reinforced faith.

Again prophecy is fulfilled: once with the eventual calling of the Child out of Egypt (Hosea 11:1) and once in the furor of the next steps of Herod (Jeremiah 31:15). Herod calls for the death of every young boy ages two and under in the city of Bethlehem and the surrounding areas! Again we see a similarity between this story and the one of Moses who was hidden because the Pharaoh was afraid of the fast growing population of the Hebrews. Herod is afraid of the Messiah and the loss of his power.

Sometimes there are terrible costs to rebellion against God. Some use His name to vilify their enemies in attempts to destroy them. Some use His name to sanction the destruction of people’s rights. Still others will ignore His purposes for life to create their own perfect oasis on earth to the detriment of others and without remorse. Regardless of the reasoning the abuse or spiritual authority can be devastating on others. When a spouse is unfaithful, families are torn 9divorce is as rampant inside the church body as outside of it). When a nation pushes God away, the nation becomes flimsy and brittle (debt, war, greed, and lies to name a few sins). When leaders use government to enshrine their legacy whole people can be affected (just look at the plight of the Native Americans).

What do we learn from this?

• Faith cannot be blind - Faith is a heart response towards God.  Faith is having hope in the unseen.  Faith sees but never blindly.  God has a very real and very personal relationship with each of us.  Don't close your eyes - the very eyes God is opening to His power and His love. (Learn more about why faith is not blind)
  
• Following Jesus requires obedience – Joseph married Mary and moved to Egypt. How willing are you to be obedient?
• There are terrible costs that follow disobedience and sinful behaviors – Herod killed hundreds of children in order to maintain his tyrannical rule in from Jerusalem. What has not following God in the past or the present cost you?