- one of the many reasons to love Christmastime is how so many of the details surrounding Jesus’ birth were fulfillments of Old Testament prophecy…
- Christianity is a thinking person’s religion…
- we love to study the Word of God…and grow in our understanding and amazement at how Scripture fits together
- and how an event that may be occurring at a particular point in time was predicted or prophesied hundreds and in some cases thousands of years before it occurred…
- every time that happens – it’s an evidence of God’s mercy…it makes it easier for us to believe…
- the Lord certainly did not have to do that for us but He did…to demonstrate His character…His glory…His knowledge/omniscience…His power/omnipotence…
- so often as the Christmas story unfolds…we just step back and say – that’s incredible…only the God of heaven and earth could have done that…
- so do we love the decorations at Christmastime? – yes
- do we love the traditions? – yes
- do we love the special time with family and friends? – yes
- do we love all the great things to eat? – yes, yes, yes…
- but the way the details of Jesus’ birth were precisely predicted hundreds of years in advance…
- that’s a category of appreciation that stands all by itself…
- because for someone who’s not yet become a follower of Christ – it’s (as one author said) evidence that demands a verdict…this is a message designed by God to believe – and the question for every person then becomes – have you chosen to believe it?
- for those who would say they are followers of Christ – we find that studying these prophecies contain important principles for the way God wants us to live today, and in the days ahead…
- this evening we’re going to look at a darker and probably more obscure part of the story – it’s often referred to as “the flight to Egypt…”
- by now, John the Baptist’s birth has been foretold…and angels have appeared to both Mary and Joseph explaining what is about to occur…
- Jesus has been born in Bethlehem and the angelic announcement has been made to the shepherds…
- Mary and Joseph took baby Jesus to the temple on the 8th day for his purification and they were met by both Simeon and Anna who confirmed that Jesus was in fact the promised Messiah…
- then sometime later the wise men came and told of the star they had seen and brought expensive gifts and rejoiced and bowed down and worshipped this little baby…
- but their visit introduces us to a more sinister side of the story…because when they came to Bethlehem and began inquiring where the kind of the Jews had been born…that news reached King Herod…
- and he asked the chief priests and scribes where the Messiah was supposed to be born, and they quoted the Old Testament prophet Micah who specifically said he would be born in Bethlehem…
- and Herod immediately believed that…and secretly called the wise men and instructed them to go search for the child and when they had found him—to report back so he (Herod) could also go and worship him…
- we know, from our perspective – that’s the last thing wicked Herod intended to do…
- so God warned the wise men not to go back to Herod...
- and Matthew tells us -- Matthew 2:16–18 - Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and sent and slew all the male children who were in Bethlehem and all its vicinity, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the magi. Then what had been spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: “A voice was heard in Ramah, Weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children; And she refused to be comforted, Because they were no more.”
- we’re clearly seeing the theme – fulfilled prophecy…fulfilled prophecy…
- God isn’t asking us to believe a fairy tale here…this is evidence that demands a verdict…
- of course we know that Jesus wasn’t killed in that event…why?...
- that brings us to yet another fulfilled prophecy…sandwiched in-between what we’ve reviewed already…here’s what Matthew explains…
- Matthew 2:13–15 - Now when they had gone, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up! Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him.” So Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was still night, and left for Egypt. He remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”
- students of the Bible know that the Christmas story is not exclusively positive…
- not everyone loves and adores and worships the newborn king…
- and that places Mary and Joseph in an incredible predicament…that can help people like you and me Processing Hard Times at Christmas
- please think with me now about 3 lessons from an obscure Christmas prophecy
- …out of Egypt I have called my son…
I. God’s Plan Always Includes a Mixture of Blessings and Trials
- it’s amazing how true that’s been for Mary and Joseph…
- I would suggest in some ways, what we know about them started with trial…or a significant test
- they were just planning to get married…with all of the joy and anticipation that comes with that…
- then they receive the news that Mary is going to become pregnant before their marriage…but the child will be conceived by the Holy Spirit…and their child will in fact become the promised Messiah of Israel…
- I think we would put that in the category of a trial…or a significant test…
- and isn’t that the way life works…things were going along pretty well, until they weren’t…
- my guess is that every person in this room could look back over 2022 and think of trials that you faced…situations where your faith was being tested…
- then Scripture tells us that a governor decided to take a census…so everyone had to travel back to their hometown to register and Luke picks up the story at that point…Luke 2:6–7 - While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
- I think we would add that to the trials and testings category…wait a minute – this is all part of the plan and program of God and no one thought to make a hotel reservation?...
- have you faced any situations this year where you really wondered whether God was looking out for you….or had any kind of design for the events that were unfolding?...
- but isn’t it interesting how the Lord mixed in an entire series of delightful and unexpected blessings…to confirm the path they were on…and bolster their faith…
- an angel appears to the shepherds…who immediately come to Mary and Joseph and report what the angels have said…
- that would make your head spin…which is exactly what Luke reports -- Luke 2:18–20 - And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.
- then they go to the temple 8 days later…and this elderly man named Simeon …Luke 2:28–32 - then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, “Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, according to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, A Light of revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.”
- his testimony is followed by Anna…and then some time later the wise men who, Matthew 2:10–11 - When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
- and the point is – God’s plan often includes a mixture of blessings and trials…and that is an important aspect of the Christmas story…
- but now in the passage before us, we are back to a major trial that was completely unexpected…Matthew 2:13 - Now when they had gone, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up! Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him.”
- these are the times that try our faith…
- when the medical test comes back with really bad news…
- or the person says or does something completely out of the blue…
- when the phone rings and what you hear next completely changes your life…
- if it happened to the parents of the Messiah…it shouldn’t surprise us when it happens to us…
- but what can we learn from these dear parents did?...
II. Wise People Follow God’s Instructions in Good Times and Bad
- what did Joseph do next?...
- Matthew 2:14 - So Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was still night, and left for Egypt.
- Bible teachers suggest that it was about 75 miles to the border of Egypt…and another 100 miles before they would reach a place where it was safe for Jewish persons to dwell…
- 175 miles – here to Louisville…2.5 hours…except their mode of transportation was a bit different…
- but isn’t this how Mary and Joseph responded at each step along the way…
- when Gabriel first appeared to Mary – how did she initially respond to his explanation and instructions? -- Luke 1:38 - And Mary said, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
- and it wasn’t some kind of grudging obedience…because when she next visited her cousin Elizabeth who was pregnant with John the Baptist…do you remember what Mary said?... Luke 1:46–49 - And Mary said: “My soul exalts the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave; For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed. For the Mighty One has done great things for me; And holy is His name.
- wise people follow God’s instructions in good times and bad…
- Joseph was the same way…an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and explained the virgin conception by the Holy Spirit, and how their son was to be named Jesus (Jehovah saves) – because He would save His people from their sins…
- and then what?... Matthew 1:24–25 - And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife, but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus.
- what do wise people do?...they follow God’s instructions in good times and bad…
- and even now when they’ve celebrated the visit of the wise men and everything they’ve reported and the wonderful gifts they’ve given…a soon as they leave…Joseph is told to get up and flee to Egypt…
- Matthew 2:14 - So Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was still night, and left for Egypt.
- that’s about as complete and immediate and succinct an explanation of obedience as you could possibly find…even in the midst of an incredibly hard trial…
- does that leave people like you and me with a pretty obvious series of questions?...
- when times are hard…do you slow down long enough to think about God’s instructions for that specific situation?...even if you don’t fully understand what God’s up to at the time?....
- and are you willing to follow His instructions even when you don’t feel like it…or want to?...
- because what’s the alternative?...
- no, because that’s when I start worrying…
- no, that’s when I become sinfully angry…
- no, because that when I pout…
- no, that’s when I plan revenge…
- no, that’s when I respond with pride…
- no, that’s when I turn to some sinful substitute…
- and I don’t know about you – but I have way too many examples that fit into some of those categories…
- even this dark aspect of the Christmas story can remind us that it doesn’t have to be that way…
- which brings us to this third lesson…
III. Often God’s Purpose is Not Apparent Until Later
- why did God want Mary and Joseph to take themselves and baby Jesus to Egypt?...
- according to Matthew, it was in part to fulfill a prophecy
- Matthew 2:15 - He remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”
- so what do we know about this prophecy that can help people like you and me respond well to the unexpected trials and testings of everyday life?...
- we know this is a quote from the prophet Hosea - Hosea 11:1 - When Israel was a youth I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son.
- students of Scripture know that Hosea has to be one of the strangest love stories of all times…
- because here’s how the book begins -- Hosea 1:2–3 - When the Lord first spoke through Hosea, the Lord said to Hosea, “Go, take to yourself a wife of harlotry and have children of harlotry; for the land commits flagrant harlotry, forsaking the Lord.” So he went and took Gomer the daughter of Diblaim…
- you say – why would the Lord want one of his prophets to marry a prostitute?…
- because Hosea’s relationship to his wife Gomer was to be a picture of God’s relationship to his people who had forsaken their covenant and chased after other gods…
- Amazingly, after Hosea and Gomer had several children…Gomer left him…and went back to a life of prostitution…
- and you might say – what did Hosea do?...
- he quietly sent food for her provision, and even gifts…because of his covenant love and faithfulness for her…
- eventually Gomer’s life followed such a downward spiral that she found herself being auctioned as a slave…
- you can imagine her guilt and her shame and her hopelessness…
- wondering who is going to buy her and abuse her next…
- until she hears a voice bidding for her that she certainly recognizes…
- you know whose voice that was?...it was Hosea’s…
- Hosea chapter 3 explains…Hosea 3:1–2 - Then the Lord said to me, “Go again, love a woman who is loved by her husband, yet an adulteress, even as the Lord loves the sons of Israel, though they turn to other gods and love raisin cakes.” So I bought her for myself for fifteen shekels of silver and a homer and a half of barley.
- covenant love and faithfulness motivated Hosea to treat his wife that way…
- covenant love and faithfulness motivated God to treat his people that way…
- He had called His Son (Israel) out of Egypt…and made promises to them that He would most certainly keep…
- but in order for that plan to be fulfilled…He would some day send His own Son…the Lord Jesus Christ…
- and when Herod tried to kill Him…God would protect Him, and have his parents take Him to Egypt….
- and this time, when out of Egypt, He would call His Son…
- it would be far different than in Hosea’s day…
- because…unlike Hosea’s wife… and unlike the nation of Israel….
- this time, it would be His perfect Son…born of a virgin, protected from Herod…
- tempted in all points yet without sin…
- who authenticated his deity with His teaching and miracles…
- and then voluntarily walked up the hill of Calvary and died for the sins of every person who would believe in Him…
- because God loves His people like Hosea loved His wife…
- because God’s keep His promises to His people like Hosea kept his promises to his wife…
- but in order for that relationship to be consummated – something had to be done about our sin…
- so out of Egypt…God called His Son…
- John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
- now, it is highly unlikely that Mary and Joseph would have made this connection as they were fleeing the little town of Bethlehem…
- there’s no evidence nor likelihood that Hosea’s prophecy would have come to their minds as they fled…
- and that’s an important point to remember when hard times come…often God’s purpose is not apparent until later…
- Pastor John Piper once said - Every day, in every circumstance, God is always doing 10,000 things in your life, but you might be aware of only three of them.
- can I ask you in the quietness of this moment – why did the Lord want you to be reminded of this obscure Christmas prophecy – Out of Egypt I have called my son…
- what hard times are you facing this Christmas, and how are you responding…and what might the Lord be up to?...
- I am quite certain that for a number of people this evening…the answer is – to bring you to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ…
- you may be mad at what God has allowed…or confused by it…or numb…
- but perhaps the Lord has allowed the trial to bring you to an end of yourself, and your strength, and your resources…
- where you’ll finally surrender…and admit that you need a Savior and you need a Lord…
- out of Egypt, God called His Son…
- and if you’re wondering if God could love you in spite of your failures…
- just ask Hosea’s wife that question…or Old Testament Israel…
- God is a God of fierce covenant love…out of Egypt I called my Son…
- Christian friend…did that unexpected trial throw you for a loop?...did it get you off track?...
- responding in obedience is hard…especially when life hurts…
- but if know Christ, you don’t have to take those steps alone…because our of Egypt, God has called His Son…
- it’s like Paul prayed for the Ephesians…Ephesians 1:18–19 - I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.