The Beginning of the Journey

Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem in Judea, during the time when Herod was king  Soon afterward some men who studied the stars came from the east to Jerusalem, and asked, "Where is the baby born to be king of the Jews?  We saw his star when it came up in the east, and we have come to worship him." Matthew 2:1-4. 

 After they left, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph and said, "Herod will be looking for the child in order to kill him.  So get up, take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt and stay there until I tell you to leave." Matthew 2:13.

                         
The baby Jesus took many journeys and faced many perils, but God was looking out for him. God kept him safe, first by guiding Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem so Jesus could be born in a relatively safe place, then by warning the wise men in a dream to return home by another road and not go back to Herod.  Then God warned  Joseph that Herod would kill Jesus, so they had to flee to Egypt, and remain there until Herod died.

When he realized that the visitors from the East had tricked him, Herod was so angry that he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its neighborhood who were two years old or younger.  After Herod's death, an angel appeared to Joseph and told him it was time to make the journey back to Israel.  He went to the little town of Nazareth, where Jesus began his ministry and eventually his own journey to the cross.

PRAYER: Dear God, We thank you so much for the wisdom and courage of Mary and Joseph who found a way to save Jesus from Herod and all the wicked people who wanted to harm him. Guide us in our own journeys to become better Christians, and help us to follow Jesus' example as we go about our daily lives. Amen.

 

Gerry Draney, reprinted from 2013