Saturday, January 2, 2016
THE WONDERS OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE IN THE PRESERVATION OF THE CHILD JESUS (6)
Matthew 2:19-21 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, "Arise, take the young Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the young Child's life are dead." Then he arose, took the young Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel....
TYRANTS PERISH--PEACE IS OURS
"But when Herod was dead...." We are told that Herod died of a terrible disease "which ate away at the organs of his body, so that he was an abhorrent carcass even before the soul left his body." Though the wicked appear to have their way at times, yet we should not fret because of evil-doers who sooner or later receive their just reward.
Israel was safe again. Showing His providential care, God used an angel to call Joseph, Mary, and the Child out of Egypt and back to the holy land, specifically Nazareth where, in fulfillment of prophecy, "He shall be called a Nazarene." Though that was not a complimentary name, it marked Jesus unmistakably as the long-promised Messiah.
Luther sums up this text with these words: "The instruction is that we see how the devil and the world are hostile to the Child Jesus and His Kingdom, and are violently concerned about how they may crush down, and even abolish them. The consolation is that this intention of the world does not succeed; the world must let Christ, His Word and His Church remain, and although some must suffer loss for Christ, yet it shall not be to their damage, but to their highest advantage; but the tyrants shall go to destruction in the matter--nothing shall help them against that."
So goes it in this world. 2000 years later the world still rages against the Christ. Still echoing from the Christmas season are all the platitudes about "peace on Earth." But many do not understand that the peace the Christchild brought and brings is not an earthly peace, but a spiritual peace in the forgiveness of sins.
Yet, what Christ-believers can expect is cross-bearing. Our comfort, though, is that no one and nothing can frustrate the plans of God in His providential care of His own. In the coming new year and through the rest of our lives, God comfort us in that knowledge and keep us in it unto eternal life.
Help us, O Lord, for now we enter
Upon another year today.
In You our hopes and thoughts now center;
Renew our courage for the way.
New life, new strength, new happiness
We ask of You--oh, hear and bless.
May ev'ry plan and undertaking
Begin this year, O Lord, with You;
When I am sleeping or am waking,
Help me, dear Lord, Your will to do.
In You alone, my God, I live;
You only can my sins forgive.
(Christian Worship, 70:1, 2)
