
Matthew 2:12-21 (ESV)
12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. 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.” 16 Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: 18 “A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.” 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.
Intro: What is the bloodiest book you’ve ever read?
CLEAR PROBLEM, HIDDEN CAUSE
If the problem of evil is vivid, how is its source veiled or obscured?
MYSTERIOUS INTERVENTION
How is God’s involvement surprising?
PAINFUL FAITH
What are we to do with the death of martyrs?
YOU CAN PRAY WITH US …
1 - Worship the LORD for His conquering power and the security that comes with His reign. Praise Him, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, that rather than destroy us in His justice, that He offers to save us instead.
2 - How have you lived defiant toward, or covetous of, God’s power? Confess your proud rebellion to Jesus, asking Him to forgive you and change your state of mind to be humble, loyal, and truly loving.
3 - Give thanks to Jesus for His willingness to go into suffering and obscurity to save us (Egypt, Nazareth, death and hell). Thank Him for entering suffering we caused to actually accomplish our salvation and Satan’s undoing.
4 - Who do you know that is defenseless? Or who do you know that is lustful for power? Pray for them, calling upon the Lord who defends the helpless and overthrows the arrogant.
5 - Ask the Holy Spirit to bear His fruit of faithfulness in you. Ask that you would grow in what it means to hold to His will and priorities even in the face of opposition (even suffering) from the powers of this world.