Friday, February 2, 2007
Matthew 2:14-15 When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, "Out of Egypt I called My Son."
OUT OF EGYPT -- ENTIRELY OUT OF THIS WORLD
God does not and has not called anyone out of the world without a specific purpose in mind.
Jesus was called out of Egypt to bring about the salvation of the world through His life, His death, His resurrection and His ascension. He did not send Jesus into the world and say, "Oh, do what you think is best." No, there was a reason for it, a specific purpose -- again the salvation of the souls of all peoples.
God, in calling us out from this world, from its bondage, its slavery, its sin, its empty thoughts, calls us out for a specific purpose. While we remain in this world for however long it may be, our purpose is clear and simple: to show forth the praises of Him who has called us out, letting the light of God given faith shine that others may see and glorify God, that others may see and also be called out into the freedom that is in Christ Jesus.
Yet, there is that greater purpose for which God has called us out of Egypt, and that is that one day He will call us out of this Egypt forever. Why would we want to remain here? Why would we want to stay? We are not citizens of this earth, but of Heaven. Our homes are not in this earth, but in Heaven.
Year by year, Heaven becomes filled with those who have been called Home. They certainly have no desire to return to this world but to borrow the words of David, I can go to them! To be called eternally out of Egypt! To be above all else with the Father, my Savior Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, and with all the saints and all the heavenly hosts! It is that you and I can have that certain hope of eternal life that God sent and called Jesus out of Egypt, that through faith in Jesus you and I also will rise from the grave and ascend into heaven to be there -- home, home at last, completely free of all things earthly and sinful.
