I have always been confused about the Magi and the Shepherd's time frame when they visited Jesus. The Shepherds are not mentioned in the gospel of Matthew, but in gospel of Luke. Only the Magi are mentioned in Matthew. It is my understanding it may have been as long as two years after Jesus' birth before the Magi reached them. (The baby Jesus would have been the toddler Jesus)
Anyway, reading this Chapter makes me think how Joseph & Mary being obedient to God, face obstacles and dangers. In fact the paranoid King Herod is trying to have baby Jesus killed, as he is afraid of a New King taking over. (If he only understood what kind of King Jesus was meant to be.)
However God sends the new family guidance and protection. After the Magi's visit they are warned to flee to Egypt to escape the long arm of King Herod. Again they receive guidance with the information that King Herod is dead and they can return to Israel. And returning to Israel, once again they receive guidance from God that King Herod's son in Archelaus was reigning in Judah. At this time they move on to Nazareth and Jesus is known as a Nazarene.
This chapter of Matthew makes me realize that if a person is obedient to God's will, (whether it be serving in a new way, or stretching ourselves to learn new skills to help others, etc.) they can expect His guidance and protection.
In a few words:
Be available to serve God as He leads, and expect His Guidance and protection.
Anyway, reading this Chapter makes me think how Joseph & Mary being obedient to God, face obstacles and dangers. In fact the paranoid King Herod is trying to have baby Jesus killed, as he is afraid of a New King taking over. (If he only understood what kind of King Jesus was meant to be.)
However God sends the new family guidance and protection. After the Magi's visit they are warned to flee to Egypt to escape the long arm of King Herod. Again they receive guidance with the information that King Herod is dead and they can return to Israel. And returning to Israel, once again they receive guidance from God that King Herod's son in Archelaus was reigning in Judah. At this time they move on to Nazareth and Jesus is known as a Nazarene.
This chapter of Matthew makes me realize that if a person is obedient to God's will, (whether it be serving in a new way, or stretching ourselves to learn new skills to help others, etc.) they can expect His guidance and protection.
In a few words:
Be available to serve God as He leads, and expect His Guidance and protection.
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