(Rev. Charles Han)
This is a fitting passage for the day after christmas. I'll explain later why I think so as we move back to our normal lives...
Consider all the popular pictures we have of christmas. Magi, manger, donkey... But we don't bring up this portion of christmas, the slaughter of the innocents. Herod killing children to preserve his power.
For some of us, holidays are a break. But for others, it brings our problems into the forefront... Relationships, family, illness. This passage speaks to the messiness of our lives. This is the passage speaking to you.
There are three prophecies being spoken of during this passage. This should remind the reader of the story of Israel.
Jesus is the true israel.
What does that mean? Hosea 11 is noted. Reading hosea... we get a picture of Israel turning away from God. God does all this...and all He gets is rebellion. Israel is the rebellious, faithless, teenage son of God. Jesus came to be the faithful son that we could not be. He was the one who walked as we should have...so we could be with God. That is the christmas story. As we consider our regrets and things we did and didn't do, we can stand before God because our Jesus has walked for us...it was credited to us.
He came to be the Savior for the sufferer.
Joseph was afraid for their lives. Running from Herod. Jeremiah 31 is referenced by Matthew. This speaks of the death of Rachel and the exile of Israel. Rachel is considered the mother of israel... When israel went into exile, the nation was no more...that is why rachel weeps...because israel is no more. In the midst of tragedy and loss, christ came into our lives. Emmanuel, what does that mean? It means God came into our grief and loss. He felt our pains and walked with us. This is our God. One who bears suffering with us. The incarnation tells us that God knows everything we go through. He is not distant. He will wipe away every tear.... This is not some sort of nice sentiment. God will wipe away each and every tear from our lives as one who knows our pains and sufferings intimately... And draws close to console us. For those who suffer, he will console those who are now inconsolable.
The Savior for the insignificant
Jesus and his family wanted to go back to bethlehem. But instead they settle in Galilee. This is the boonies, the sticks... Nazareth. Can anything good come out of Nazareth?, jonathan asks. Jesus did not grow up in a privileged class. He grew up in a lowly place. Kensington. That "Nazarean sect" was how early christians were ridiculed. Jesus came from an insignificant background to show us who He came for. Isiah 53....
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