Matthew recounts the horrific story of the slaughtering of the young males in Bethlehem by King Herod. In the midst of this seemingly hopeless text Matthew points us to two Old Testament passages that give an honest response to our pain and suffering. Whether we like what we hear is another story.
Additional Scripture References:
Matt. 6:19-21; Luke 14:26; Mark 8:35-37; Hosea 11:1-7; 13:4-6; 12:8; 14:3-6; Jer. 31:14-20
Each year around December, people everywhere are telling others to remember the "reason for the season." However, these efforts are often still exhorting something less than the Advent of Christ. Perhaps in foresight of this, the Apostle John begins his gospel telling us that the Word, who was in the beginning, became flesh and dwelt among us. To us today, this is a reminder that when Jesus was born, God had come to us. This is the reason, the rest are implications.
Additional Scripture References:
1 Corinthians 2:6-12, Colossians 1:15-16, John 8:12-19, John 8:58
