Something Sacred
Something New
December 13, 2020
Rev. Gabe Sylvia
Matthew 2 teaches that God's plan of mercy is often nurtured in apparent defeat and born out of death—seen in Joseph's obedient flight to Egypt, Herod's slaughter, and Matthew's use of Jeremiah 31—assuring us that evil cannot thwart God's purposes and that out of Christ's death comes life.
Summary
Matthew 2, as selectively told by Matthew, illustrates a recurring biblical pattern: God's plan of mercy and grace often comes through scenes of defeat, exile, and death. The sermon contrasts the two-picture view of reality (our natural birth perspective and the born-again perspective) and shows how that can cause us to misunderstand God's purposes. Joseph's swift obedience to the Lord (the flight to Egypt) fulfills prophecy and recalls Israel's history with Egypt and exile; Matthew intentionally cites Jeremiah 31 (Rachel weeping) to emphasize both the cost and the promise. The overall message is one of hope: nothing, not even rage and slaughter, can ultimately stop God's redeeming plan—out of death comes life in Christ, and that truth should shape how we live and grow in faith.
Key Points
- Matthew 2 is Matthew's selective Nativity focused on fulfillment and purpose
- We live with a two-picture view of reality: natural birth vs. born-again perspective, which can skew our understanding of God's plan
- God's mercy is often nurtured in defeat and born out of death
- Joseph's consistent obedience (heeding the Lord and quickly acting) enabled God's plan—his flight to Egypt fulfilled prophecy
- Egypt appears frequently in Scripture and is central to the story of deliverance and exile
- Matthew cites Jeremiah 31 (Rachel weeping) to highlight the symbolism of death, exile, and eventual restoration
- The slaughter ordered by Herod shows how evil can produce tragic loss, yet does not derail God's covenant promises
- The sermon calls believers to remember God's past deliverance, to let Christ's love overcome anxiety and despair, and to grow in faith knowing that out of Christ's death has come life and that evil is not ultimately unstoppable
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