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Matthew 2:13-23 NIV
The Escape to Egypt
13 When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” 14 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.” 16 When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. 17 Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: 18 “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.”
The Return to Nazareth
19 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.” 21 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.
When, like Herod, have you been threatened by the kingship of Jesus?
I have never been threatened by the Kingship of Christ. I stand in awe of His Kingship and I am humbled that He put aside His majesty to come to earth and die a cruel death for my sins.
Lord, it doesn’t take too much time in scripture to see just how you have orchestrated this world. The escape from Egypt and your return to Nazareth to fulfill the prophecy prove your control over time. You made a safe journey for the Magi possible. It is clear Lord that your hand is in everything and that your desire is to care for and love your creation. Dear Lord, please continue to keep my mind focused on you especially when things are scary, it is not your desire that I should perish. I want your kingship over my life every day. Amen
Today’s prayer submitted by Jo Schneider