Do not overthink it

 Matthew 2:19–23 (ESV): 

19 But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 saying, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.” 21 And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. 23 And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene. 

What a journey Jesus has been on already as a child, and Joseph and Mary as a married couple and new parents! First they both had to go to Bethlehem for a census where Jesus was born, next God told them to go to Egypt, and then a few years later, they headed back to Israel to the area of Galilee. This family were displaced foreigners, having to do their best to survive in difficult and scary circumstances. 

I wonder how Joseph and Mary managed to communicate in Egyot, did Jesus grow up learning Arabic as well as Hebrew in his early years? For Joseph and Mary, turning up in this strange country one day, it must have been pretty overwhelming and scary, having traveled for days to get there. Then, they were told by God they could return to their own country. It must have been a relief to them both to end up in Nazareth, the town where they had grown up, met and married. After so many years away, to return to a familiar place, with some familiar people must have been comforting. Yet, when they were first told to go back to Israel, they were not sure where to go. They initially considered going back to Judea, maybe even back to Bethlehem where Jesus was born. They did not know where exactly they were going, just that God had said to return to Israel. Even on the journey and when they arrived they were not quite sure where to go. God seems to have revealed to them in part, and they obeyed even though they did not know what the fullness of God’s plan looked like. They trusted God would look after them, lead them, and provide them a home, and He did. 

As Mary and Joseph return to Israel, this is the first time we read about any emotions of Joseph. The text says ‘he was afraid to go there’ (to Judea). Jospeh would have heard about the ‘weeping and loud lamentation’ that had occurred in Judea, the couple would have probably known people who had suffered the tragedy of their children being murdered. I am sure Joseph’s concern grew as they got nearer - if they go back to Bethlehem, Jesus would likely be one of the only boys of his age in the area due to what Herod had decreed, plus Herod’s son was in power, so would he now re-birth the decree? No wonder Joseph was afraid. It would not have been difficult for this young family to have been found out, reported, and all be put to death. God saw Jospeh’s reasonable fear, and He spoke to him and directed the family to live in Galilee. This is how they ended up residing in Nazareth, a small, relatively unknown rural village. This must have been a relief for a couple whose child’s life had been sought, and who had spent years surrounded by unfamiliar and foreign things and people. They could now live in quietude, able to work and do family life in a familiar community. Yet they only returned there because they obeyed God.

In all this God was fulfilling His plan. The Messiah had been prophesied to be; born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2) and ‘out of Egypt I called my son’ (Hosea 11:1), so even before Jesus was 5, he was fulfilling the promises of God - Just by being a child, going where his parents were going and breathing! It is not coincidence, but God-ordained purpose that circumstances caused the movement of this family. God was in control. He planned, listened and cared about this one family, just like He cares for you and your life. Things will happen that don’t seem to make sense, there are terrible tragedies, times when you have to move on, go into places of busy-ness and quietness. Do not overthink it. Instead, trust that God is fulfilling His purposes for your life and His kingdom as He did for Joseph, Mary and Jesus. Jesus was clearly being taught about the importance of hearing and obeying God from his parents. It was not easy for them, but when God spoke, they did what He asked, even when they did not understand or see the full picture. Unknowingly, they were preparing their son for the biggest sacrifice and step of obedience that he would have to make for the sins of the world. So, whatever you are facing today, tomorrow or in the future, listen to God and obey Him. Do not focus on the circumstances as much as the One who is using all things to fulfill His purposes and plans. Allow God to guard and direct your steps as he did for this small, young, refugee family and see what God can do in and through your life.

Are you looking for Jesus?

 Matthew 2:1–12 (ESV): 

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: 

 6  “ ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, 

are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; 

  for from you shall come a ruler 

who will shepherd my people Israel.’ ” 

7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. 

‘Wise men came from the east came to Jerusalem’. These men are often referred to as the Magi or Three Kings (although there’s no evidence to suggest there were 3 or that they were kings). All we really know about them is that they were intelligent, foreign men who must have had money to travel such a long distance. Also, they understood something about the promises of God to the Israelites, and recognised that the God of Israel was important. Why else would they travel so far, leave their lives, family and work behind to see an unknown child in an unknown nation? 

These wise men were utterly convinced that someone of great significance was born in this area, so they went to the main city, and the leader of the area. For if a king is to be born, surely the chief person in the main city would know about it. So, they went to see the Roman appointed governor of the area, Herod. It was a sensible decision as surely one in charge would know about the ‘king of the Jews’ being born, and hopefully they would receive welcome and favour in their task of worshipping the new king. 

Herod did indeed welcome these visitors, and didn't keep their visit quiet as soon the whole of Jerusalem heard about it! Herod invited these men to share their knowledge with him about this 'king' and soon became worried about what he heard as he would have understood something of the Jewish faith. He had grown up in this area with his father as the governor before him so he would have been familiar with the history of the Israelites, their religion, and the promises of their God. So, when these wise men turned up, looking for a promised child, ‘he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him’. He came to realise that these promises were for now, not some future point. This meant that his rulership and that of the Roman empire was in jeopardy, so he was terrified.

Therefore Herod summoned the religious experts to see what they could make of what the wise men were saying. They confirmed the prophecies and could even tell them that Bethlehem would be the place. Yet, they were unprepared for the messiah to come, they believed God, were faithful followers, dedicated to studying Scripture, yet they did not know that the time for The Messiah to be born was now. They were so close to God it seems, yet they had not seen or heard. It seems that these wise men from the east, these unknown outsiders knew more about what God was planning than those in the central city of faith, Jerusalem. The place of the temple, the centre of festivals and faith for the Israelites, yet oblivious of God’s plans. Instead, the city reacted in fear, not joy, just like Herod. 

The wise men had received revelation and so they followed a star, and had somehow picked up that a child ‘has been born king of the Jews’. A very unusual title, and the same one that hung over Jesus’ head at his crucifixion. It was particularly strange to give a Jewish child at this time of Roman occupation such a name, when the rulership of Israelite kings was no longer in force. How did these wise men know what the Israelites and Roman citizens living in the area didn’t? Although Herod knew more about the Jewish tradition and religion, he did not know enough. Nor did the religious experts. They were waiting for The Messiah, but they weren't prepared. On the other hand, the wise men had prepared, planned and researched for this moment. They had searched, travelled, spent money on expenses, resources and gifts. They discovered and heard enough of this God to know that this journey to this unfamiliar place was worth the effort and expense. They desired to find out about the birth of this child, this promised ruler of the nation of Israel, and they left all their home comforts to seek him. 

The Roman empire hear about it and are afraid and concerned. Even those living in Jerusalem are panicked, the chief priests and scribes are intrigued and research Scripture - isn’t it interesting the different responses to the promises of God being fulfilled? Those far off gave up their lives for something they did not really understand, but knew the cost was worth it. Those close by trembled in fear. The religious experts were intrigued and studied. What is your response when you hear of the things God has spoken? And what is your response to who Jesus is? Are you; intrigued, invested, scared, searching, giving up your life to find out the truth? 

Finding Jesus will always be worth the cost, are you making it?