The Seed of Sorrow and The Fruit of Joy (12/28)

Gospel: Matthew 2:13-18

When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” ~ Matthew 2:13

Egypt had been a house of bondage to the Israelites and particularly cruel for their infants; yet it is to be a place of refuge to the Holy Child Jesus. God, when He pleases, can make the worst of places serve the best of purposes. This was a trial of the faith for Joseph and Mary; despite their faith being tested it remained firm. If we and our infants are at any time in trouble, let us remember the straits in which Christ was when an infant.

Herod killed all the male children, not only in Bethlehem but in all the villages of that city.

Unbridled wrath, armed with an unlawful power, often carries men to absurd cruelties. It was no unrighteous thing with God to permit this; every life is forfeited to his justice as soon as it begins.

The diseases and deaths of little children are proofs of original sin. How early did persecution against Christ and His kingdom begin! Herod now thought that he had baffled the Old Testament prophecies and the efforts of the wise men in finding Christ; but whatever crafty, cruel devices are in men's hearts, the counsel of the Lord shall stand.

Sis Myra
Unit 6