December 22, 2023

Matthew 2:13-23 (HCSB)
The Flight into Egypt
13 After they were gone, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Get up! Take the child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. For Herod is about to search for the child to destroy Him.” 14 So he got up, took the child and His mother during the night, and escaped to Egypt. 15 He stayed there until Herod’s death, so that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet might be fulfilled: Out of Egypt I called My Son.
The Massacre of the Innocents
16 Then Herod, when he saw that he had been outwitted by the wise men, flew into a rage. He gave orders to massacre all the male children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, in keeping with the time he had learned from the wise men. 17 Then what was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: 18 A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children; and she refused to be consoled, because they were no more.
The Holy Family in Nazareth
19 After Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 saying, “Get up! Take the child and His mother and go to the land of Israel, because those who sought the child’s life are dead.” 21 So he got up, took the child and His mother, and entered the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned in a dream, he withdrew to the region of Galilee. 23 Then he went and settled in a town called Nazareth to fulfill what was spoken through the prophets, that He will be called a Nazarene.

Jason Ricciardi
The Magis’ actions we read of yesterday completely differ from those of Herod’s today. It’s not surprising, though, when you consider the circumstances. Herod thought himself superior, so he felt free to murder “inferiors.” Herod was trying to protect his position and he didn’t believe in God. He was from among God’s people and should have known better. Meanwhile, the Magi were from the East yet they chose God. History tells us that Herod died a gruesome death. Once article even went so far as to suggest chronic kidney disease, gangrene, and maggots. Yet even that pales in comparison to the Hell he is eternally dying in now.  He didn’t understand the majesty of Jesus, so his rebellion has earned him Hell. How often do we forget our position before the God of all the Earth and act as if we don’t believe in Him? This is a different subject matter than we typically discuss this time of year but catch this –God works His plan out, fulfills scripture, and promises the opportunity to spend eternity in the presence of His majesty. Best thing I can say is –choose Jesus and choose life!