| 2004 Advent Messages |
Fourth Sunday of Advent, Matthew 2:13-18, December 19, 2005
Hate
this Child and You End Up Hurting Children
“. . .Take
the child and his mother and escape to Egypt.” ~ Matthew 2:13
1. Right from the beginning, the coming of Jesus proved dangerous. Before
he spoke a word, performed a miracle, or challenged the religious establishment,
he was pursued with a vengeance. Innocent lives were put at risk.
How does Matthew’s account of the escape to Egypt correspond to
John’s description in Revelation 12:13? If Joseph is God’s
servant, whose servant is Herod (Rev 12:9)?
2. All the surprising turns of Jesus’ life fit the sovereign will
of God and fulfill what the prophets foretold (Isa 7:14; Micah 5:2; Hosea
11:1). Does this truth relate to us? Do the seemingly chaotic twists and
turns of our lives fit the sovereign will of God as well?
3. It was 75 miles to the Egyptian border. I wonder if Mary and Joseph
ever asked themselves, “If God is in this, why don’t things
go better?” What do you think was in their minds as they escaped
to Egypt?
4. On the basis of a small town of 2,000 inhabitants there would
have been three or four dozen children two years old and under, only half
of whom would be boys (Paul Maier). But only one infant was spared. The
first Christian martyrs were nameless Jewish boys living in Bethlehem.
None of them realized what they were dying for, but by the grace of God,
we can say that before Jesus died for them, they died for Jesus. Joseph
gave up his dignity, Mary gave up her womb, but the infant boys of Bethlehem
gave up their lives. How would you respond to those who ask, “How
could God ever allow such a thing to happen?”
5. In spite of horrific atrocities, a far greater battle loomed
and a much greater victory was needed. Herod was but a symptom of a sin
twisted world. Why did Matthew include the prophecy of Jeremiah?
6. New Testament scholar Dale Brunner writes, “Those who begin by
hating the Child end by hurting children. Hating revelation leads to hurting
people.” Does Brunner draw a valid connection? Do you agree with
his perspective? What are its implications for people today?
