Advent Reading for December 21, 2023 | “The Redemptive Exodus of Jesus” from Matthew 2:13-18

¹³ Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy Him.” ¹⁴ And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt ¹⁵ and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my Son.”

Matthew 2:13-18

“The Redemptive Exodus of Jesus”

In our faith journey, moments often emerge that unveil divine orchestration in the seemingly ordinary. Joseph and Mary’s flight to Egypt, a seemingly minor part of the grand narrative, intricately fits into the prophetic design interwoven in the Old Testament. Matthew unveils these intricate threads of prophecy, drawing a striking parallel between Jesus and the exodus story. Hosea’s ancient words resound: “Out of Egypt, I called my son” (Hosea 11:1), affirming a redemptive pattern woven into history. 

Just as Israel, the son, was liberated from Egyptian slavery (Exodus 4:22), Jesus, the ultimate Son, is rescued from Herod’s grasp. Matthew’s keen insight captures not just a historical event but unravels a tapestry of divine intervention. The flight to Egypt and the subsequent return reveals a profound message—a message veiled in humility and saturated with redemptive purpose. This isn’t mere chance; this is God at work.

Consider Joseph’s obedience, his readiness to heed divine warnings in dreams (Matthew 2:13). It takes faith to uproot one’s life for obedience’s sake. Yet, in this obedience lies a profound lesson—a lesson of trust and reliance on God’s leading. It’s not just about escaping danger; it’s about fulfilling what was spoken ages before.

The significance of Jesus’ return from Egypt isn’t confined to a physical journey; it mirrors a deeper spiritual reality. It signifies deliverance, a new exodus—the rescue of humanity from the bondage of sin (Galatians 5:1). Jesus, the Son of God, embodies this deliverance, offering a path to liberation for all who believe (John 8:36).

The humility shown in these movements echoes the broader narrative of Christ’s life—a King born in a humble manger, raised in an obscure town (Micah 5:2; Luke 2:7). This humility isn’t just an aspect of His character; it’s foundational to His redemptive mission. He identifies with the lowly, embodies the marginalized, and offers hope to the outcast (Isaiah 53:3; Matthew 11:28-30).

As Matthew carefully presents these parallels, it’s an invitation—an invitation to recognize Jesus as more than a historical figure, but as the embodiment of God’s redemptive plan. It’s an invitation to follow in the footsteps of the humble King, to embrace humility, obedience, and trust in God’s guiding hand (Philippians 2:5-8). In this moment, the call echoes—not just out of Egypt but out of the depths of sin, out of bondage into the freedom found in Christ. It’s an invitation to embark on a journey of faith, to trust in the One who orchestrates history, and to find redemption in the arms of the Savior (Acts 4:12).

This journey, from Egypt to Israel, isn’t just a historical occurrence—it’s a call to a deeper understanding of God’s redemptive plan. It’s an invitation to journey out of the bondage of sin into the freedom found in Christ.

Reflection Questions:

1. Joseph’s obedience to God’s warning led to his family being kept safe. In what ways does Joseph’s obedience help us see the importance of trust and reliance on God’s guidance in our lives, especially in moments of uncertainty?
2. The way Matthew tells Jesus’s Story invites us to understand that Jesus is not just a historical figure but the embodiment of God’s redemptive plan. How does this perspective help us understand Jesus’s significance in our own lives and to the world?

"Before the Throne of God Above" from Revelation 4 (The KING is Coming) – Refresh & Restore | A JustKeithHarris.com Podcast

📖 Revelation 4:1–11In this episode of The King is Coming, Keith Harris and Jamie Harrison move beyond Jesus’s letters to the churches and into the next part of John’s vision. In Revelation 4, John is invited through an open door into heaven—and what he sees is the throne room of God.At the center of everything is a throne, and seated on it is the Lord in all His glory. From this point forward in Revelation, the throne becomes the focal point of the entire book.John describes the scene the best way he can: the brilliance of precious stones, a rainbow surrounding the throne, flashes of lightning and thunder, and a crystal-like sea before it. Surrounding the throne are twenty-four elders and four living creatures who never cease to worship the Lord.Together, Keith and Jamie discuss:✔️ Why Revelation 4 marks a shift from the letters to the churches to John’s heavenly vision✔️ What the throne room reveals about God’s authority and security over all things✔️ Why John uses comparisons (“like” and “as”) to describe the glory he sees✔️ The mystery of the twenty-four elders and what we can—and cannot—know✔️ The constant worship of the living creatures crying “Holy, holy, holy”✔️ Why heaven’s worship centers on God simply because He is worthyIn the throne room, everything points to one truth: God alone is worthy of worship.“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” (Revelation 4:11)🔗 If you would like to see a written version of this podcast, complete with footnotes and cross-references, you can find it here.

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