Joseph And Mary Escape To Egypt With Jesus

 Matthew 2:13-18

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Commentary by Bob Pardue

Mary, Joseph And Baby Jesus Flee To Egypt

The Christmas story is about Jesus but I'd like to take this moment to talk about Joseph. He seems to be almost like a footnote in Scripture but played a very important role in Christian history.

Joseph the Husband

Mary and Joseph were engaged to be married when she became pregnant with Jesus. But remember, in Jewish society, engagement was almost as sacred as the marriage. Many times, the bride to be moved in with the fiancee's family during this time and then a large ceremony would be held at a later date for the wedding.

Joseph, after the angel appeared to him in a dream, took on the responsibility of marrying Mary when he had every right to divorce her. Being obedient to God's will, they were married.

Joseph The Provider

When they traveled to Jerusalem and there was no room for them to stay except for the stable, Joseph cleaned up the stable and made it somewhat presentable for his wife to have the child. I don't know if you have ever been in a barn but it is not the cleanest place in the world and not to mention the smell. Without fanfare, Joseph cleaned it.

Joseph The Protector

When the angel appeared the second time warning Joseph of Herod's wrath, he did not hesitate. He took his wife and child to Egypt to save Jesus even though he was not the biological father. Although Scripture doesn't give exact dates, it is thought that they lived in Egypt for between one month up to one year.

Joseph had to leave his home for up to one year. He most likely had to learn a new language, get some sort of job to support his family and risk all three being killed if discovered by Herod. In other words, Joseph was a man on the run; a fugitive.

Joseph Obeyed God

This is obvious but worth repeating. Joseph, without any great discussion or question, obeyed what God told him to do even though it caused a tremendous threat to his standing in the community, his job, his family, and even his life! How much faith did Joseph have?

Now, I'd like to present the same question to you and I. How much faith do we have? Are we willing to obey God even unto death?

We most likely will not be put in a situation such as this but we will travel rocky roads as Christians. When we come to one of these "potholes" let's try to remember Joseph and what it took for him to follow God's will.

Love in Christ

- Bob