Part 2 of “Why Did Jesus Have to Come This Way?”
Why did Jesus have to come this way? He came as a weak and vulnerable baby into a very dark and dangerous place. He had barely entered the world when there was an amazing announcement and great rejoicing by Angels’ choirs.
Luke 2:8–16 (NASB95) In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 “This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” 15 When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger.
“Good news of great joy which will be for all peoples.” A wonderful, glorious announcement. Then:
Matthew 2:13–15 (NASB95) Now when they had gone, (the Magi) behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up! Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him.” 14 So Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was still night, and left for Egypt. 15 He remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”
Run for your lives! These two instances don’t seem to jive, do they? God has sent His Son to be the savior of the world and Herod is going to search for the child to kill it. Really? So Jesus’ family immediately faced the insecurity of the times and the need for total dependance on God. At least the Magi had showed up to finance the trip! Jesus faced fear and insecurity because He knew we would have to face fear and insecurity.
Romans 8:31–32 (NASB95) What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?
Why did He come this way? To be your faithful high priest, tempted in all points just as you are, yet without sin.
He loves you, I love you also,
Pastor Randy