Mtt:2: 19-23. After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt 20 and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead. So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee23 and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene.,
In this single chapter, chapter two – you know how many times the old Testament prophesies mentioned as fulfilled?
1.2:6. In Bethlehem in Judea, they replied, for this is what the prophet has written: But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.
2.2:15 So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, 15 where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.
3.2:17-18. Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: A voice is heard in Ramah weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.
4.2:23. And he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene.
Last seven years Joseph and his family had been in a troublesome situation, they had to make different unexpected and unprepared traveling and forced to live in a strange situation in order to fulfill God’s prophesies.
Humanly speaking this family is really struggling – but they see the other part – consider to be a part of god eternal plan of salvation
God is calling people for fulfill His divine plan on this earth.
Today many people follow God to fulfill their manmade agendas – to get answer their prayer requests, they want to use God for their benefit.
Unless we are ready to sacrifice our wills our human desires, unless we are ready for complete surrender, unless we are ready to be fully obedient, we cannot please God, we cannot serve God.
Look at what Peter and John’ response in such situation: Acts:5: 40-42. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. The apostles (Peter and John) left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.
41. 42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.
1Pet: 4:13. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when en his glory is revealed
2Tim: 1: 8. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.
Col: 1: 24. Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.
Ph: 3: 7-8. But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ
1Thesl: 3: 3-4. For you know quite well that we are destined for them. 4 In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know.
Why Paul was called by the Lord? Serve the Lord and get all the blessing out of it? No, not at all!
God declared the reason for calling Paul.
Acts: 9:15-16But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: 16 For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.
He is a vessel – the vessel not for collect anything from the Lord – but the vessel that gives Jesus to all nations
Why we follow Jesus, why we pray? What we worship the Lord? What is our ultimate intention to serve Jesus?
Why we proudly say I am Pentecostal, I am a born again child of God, I am baptized, I am filled with Holy Spirit, why? Why we proudly say.
What kind of vessel we are? Receiving vessel or sharing vessel
Sharing Jesus to others – supporting others – comforting others- encouraging others – loving others – lifting others
What kind of vessel we are? Receiving vessel or sharing vessel
Joseph and Mary, because of Jesus they couldn’t enjoy their normal life, their so many privileges has been taken away from them – as a normal family they had so many dreams in their heart
So far, they couldn’t settle down in one place and enjoy life like other families in Nazareth
Let us come back to our scripture:
Mtt:2: 19-23
This is the fourth journey of Joseph and Mary and Jesus – Journey – Journey – journey!
Some people think right now we have not yet settled down - Journey – Journey – journey!
But behind each journey, God is the planner and guide, and God himself is with us
They never planned any of this trip – oh let us go to Bethlehem – oh let us visit Egypt – oh let us visit Jerusalem temple
God is the author of their route map
My dear brothers and sisters if you and me walking with the Lord then:
. 5 The Lord watches over you— the Lord is your shade at your right hand; æ4He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. 6 the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.7 7 The Lord will keep you from all harm he will watch over your life; 8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
Mtt:2: 19-23. After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt 20 and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.
After Herod died – Herod will not remain forever – but Jesus Christ is same yesterday today and forever.
Ish:26: 20Go, my people, enter your rooms and shut the doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until his wrath has passed by.
Dear children of God, one day your enemy will be removed, door will be open one day, your prayers will be answered one day, one day your tears will be wiped away, your sickness will be healed one day, you will see the glory of the Lord one day, Covid 19 will be completely wiped away from the face of this earth one day
Mtt:2: 19b. An angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt
How Joseph came to know that Herod died? Not through the newspaper, no through the TV or any medias, here we see how God is watching over us.
Even though we do not know all the news, may be everything hidden from us but the one whom we serve knows everything better than me.
This is the third appearance of angel to Joseph, Mary had only one appearance that was before join with Joseph, here we see the order of family. Husband is the head of the family
This is the third appearance of angel to Joseph in dream, because in the first appearance Joseph obeyed the Lord that why again and again angel came to him
Mtt:2: 20. :. Angel said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.
Last seven years they had any connection with their family and relatives of in Nazareth.
They were really in quarantine, Angel said “Get up and go” it is a command, “Get up and go” means leave this place.
Very hard to leave a place from where we lived last seven years, our mind is almost adjusted with the situation, the weather, food, locations, neighbors, friends.
Mtt:2: 21-23.
So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, 23 and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene.
Since Jesus was born in Bethlehem and was dedicated at Jerusalem Temple – they plan was to stay in Judea instead of Galilee because it is good for Jesus to grow in spiritual atmosphere –
Mtt:2: 22.. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee.
The whole episode is a good example of how God leads His children. In due time God spoke to Joseph in a dream again, and he took his wife and her Son to Nazareth.
Archelaus was also a cruel person like his father Herod, Joseph and Mary thought all the problem are solved, but again there is another problem arise. Even in the family of Jesus had to face problems one after another.
But yet they are in a right track, they are in the will of God and in the center of God’s will – in spite of problems check weather we are in the center of God’s will.