Exploring the Scripture
On this first Sunday after Christmas, we realize that Joseph and Mary’s faith adventure with God is not yet finished. They have been tasked with protecting God’s Son, which is no easy feat. The scripture passage for today takes us on a journey with a divine road map; one filled with adventure and paved with difficulties. Today’s theme reminds us that, as followers of Jesus, we are called to listen to God’s voice.
Matthew 2:13–23 picks up in the middle of a larger story. To set the background for this passage, recall that chapter two begins with the story of Magi, or wise men (important foreigners) who came from the east. Word reached King Herod that wise men were trying to find the child who had been born king of the Jews. King Herod felt threatened by the newborn king and sought to find baby Jesus. The Magi found Jesus and paid him homage.
In today’s passage, an angel visits Joseph in a dream three times, to warn and guide him on the journey. The first visit was after the Magi left, and an angel directed Joseph and his family to flee to Egypt because King Herod wanted to kill Jesus. Jesus and his family stayed in Egypt for awhile, perhaps two years. Throughout the ages before this, whenever tyranny, persecution, or trouble plagued the Jews, they sought refuge in Egypt. Thus, every town in Egypt had a population of Jews. For example, Alexandria alone would have had more than one million Jews then.
Joseph, in fear and needing safety for his family, was led to Egypt, where the family would not only find safety and protection from persecution but a faith community as well. Matthew quotes Hosea here. For Matthew, all these events are a fulfillment of scripture and point to the divinity of Jesus and God as the source of it all.
When Herod died in 4 BCE, Joseph and his family headed to Israel because of an angel’s guidance. Along the way, Joseph was visited again in a dream, and warned to be afraid of Archelaus (Herod’s son who became ruler over Judea, where Bethlehem is located) and to not go back to Bethlehem.
Instead, they settled in a new home in Nazareth in the district of Galilee, which had a much kinder ruler. On close observation, one will note that in Matthew (unlike in Luke), Jesus does not return to Nazareth. The Matthew version of Jesus’s birth begins in Bethlehem. For Matthew, the fact the Messiah came from Nazareth was not just mere chance, but a revelation of God spoken of in scripture. This is referenced in verse 23, a citation of scripture that has no source. There is much scholarly debate about which scripture is referenced here.
Joseph is a hero in this story because he listened and obeyed, and therefore fulfilled his divine calling as Jesus’ protector. However, in all this, the real hero is God. Everything is caused by God and points back to God’s leadership. God’s divine purpose was fulfilled because, when God spoke, people responded.
Amid the noise of everyday life, it can be hard to hear God’s voice. There are many “voices” in our lives competing for our attention. It can be difficult to discover which are divinely led. But God wishes to be with us, to dwell with us, and to lead us.
Much like Joseph and Mary, we too, are on a faith adventure with God. As modern-day travelers seeking the Divine, let us seek to discern God’s voice calling and leading us.
Faith Unfiltered Podcast
Hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith consider how this week's scripture connects to our lives today.
Central Ideas
- Joseph was given the responsibility to be Jesus’ protector, and was not left alone in this task. God was guiding and leading him.
- Joseph listened to God’s voice.
- We are called to seek to discern God’s voice.
Questions to Consider
- What does it mean to listen to God’s voice?
- Have there been times in your life when you listened to God’s voice? What was the result?
- What is the good news for people in your congregation? What do they most need to hear from the passage this day?