Often the Critics Just Miss the Point
Today’s reading is Matthew 2.
The critics attack Matthew 2:15 saying Matthew’s quote takes Hosea 11:1 completely out of context. “Hosea 11:1 isn’t a prophecy about Jesus,” they tell us. “Rather, it is telling the story of the past event of Israel leaving Egypt.” And they are right about that, but they are wrong about Matthew’s intent. Matthew isn’t saying Jesus fulfills a single Messianic prophecy stated in Hosea 11:1. He is saying the Messiah fulfills the very existence and story of God’s people. God’s firstborn son Israel (see Exodus 4:22-23) went into Egypt to preserve “his” life and was called out by God. God’s only begotten son Jesus did the same. Matthew isn’t saying Jesus fulfills a single statement in Hosea 11:1; he is saying Jesus fulfills the entire story of Israel. What else can a man like this be but the Messiah?
Tomorrow’s reading is Matthew 3.
A Word for the Kids
Hey kids, I hope I don’t upset your parents with what I need to share with you today. Sadly, some people grow up thinking the Bible is just a book of children’s stories. Their parents and Bible class teachers “clean up” the rough edge of stories like the slaughter of the Bethlehem boys, glossing over them or ignoring them altogether. But you need to know the Bible isn’t a children’s book. It is a real book. Sadly, people do and have done very wicked and awful things that we parents really don’t like our kids having to learn about. But you need to know people sin and they sin in terrifying ways. But that is why Jesus came to the world, to save sinners even from very, very awful sins. Don’t be frightened by this account. Rather, learn how much we need Jesus from it and hang on to Him.
Victorious! 