Fleeing to Egypt

Readings: Matthew 2:13-18

When the Wise Men left, and angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream telling him to get up and take the young child and His mother to Egypt. He was instructed to stay there until he received a further word from God,; because Herod wanted to find the child and destroy Him. They stayed in Egypt until Herold died; fulfilling yet another scripture  

"Out of Egypt I have called My Son."  

Matt. 2:15, Hosea 11:1

Joseph seems somewhat overlooked in comparison to Mary, but his faithful sensitivity and obedience to God's leading kept his family safe. Imagine the weight of responsibility he held to keep the savior of all humanity, the Son of God in infant form, safe from hostile leaders. God chose him to do this and he faithfully answered God's call in his life. He has chosen each of us, for some wonderful purpose... to carry the "Light of the World" into dark places, into a hostile world. Where is He leading each of us? Do we have eyes to see and ears to hear His call?

When the Wise Men did not return to Herod to tell him where the child was, He was extremely angry; and called for the death of all the male children in Bethlehem who were under the age of two.

Even this heartless act fulfilled another scripture:

"A voice was heard in Ramah,
Lamentation, weeping and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children,
refusing to be comforted, because they were no more."
Matt. 2:18, Jeremiah 31:15

Doesn't your heart go out to these women... and to women in war zones who lose their children to violence?

Lord, fill us with your Spirit and lead us in fulfilling our purpose in this time.