The Christmas Story: The Story of A Journey

Bible Book: Matthew 2 : 12-23

Subject: Christmas; Jesus, Birth of

Introduction

As we have been thinking about the Christmas Story, I've tried to magnify the fact that...

The Christmas Story is The Story Of Joy
The Christmas Story is The Story Of Joseph
The Christmas Story is The Story Of Jesus
The Christmas Story is The Story Of Jerusalem
The Christmas Story is The Story Of Jealousy

Tonight, I want to present a final chapter in what we would perhaps call the Christmas Story, and mention the fact that we have here in Matthew 2:13-23 "The Story Of A Journey."

In looking at Joseph and his involvement in all these events, I quoted Manfred Kober who said, "The first divine directive, given in Nazareth, was to 'Marry Mary!' (Matthew 1:20)" "The second angelic command is, 'Escape to Egypt!' (Matthew 2:13)" "The third dream occurred upon the death of Herod. The command was, 'Proceed to Palestine!' (Matthew 2:19)" "The fourth revelation came in a dream while he was back in Israel. The command came to 'Go to Galilee!' (Matthew 2:22)"

The journeying of this family that resulted from these divine dreams in Matthew 2 certainly teaches us a lesson about obedience. But I also believe that Joseph and Mary's journey with Jesus presents an interesting picture of every Christian's journey with Jesus.

Tonight I want to compare the Christmas story with the Christian's story. I want to compare Mary and Joseph's journey with Jesus to our journey with Jesus.

Even in a foundational way, we see certain comparisons.

Think About The Movements Of Their Journey And The Movements Of Our Journey

Just as divine leadership guided Mary and Joseph's journey, divine leadership guides our Christian journey.

Think About The Motive Of Their Journey And The Motive Of Our Journey

Just as Mary and Joseph's took their journey for Jesus' sake, our Christian journey is made for the Jesus' sake.

Let's consider some other comparisons between Mary and Joseph's journey with Jesus and our journey with Jesus.

I. Egypt Speaks Of The Captive Life In Our Journey With Jesus

(vs. 13-18)

As Warren Wiersbe said, "There are several basic types in Exodus: Egypt is a type of the world system, opposing God's people and trying to keep them in bondage."

The Keil & Delitzsch Commentary also says, "Egypt is a type of the land of captivity, in which Israel had been oppressed in its fathers by the heathen power of the world."

Harold Wilmington agrees as he writes clearly, "Egypt is a type of the world."

A. It Is Here That We See The Old Dominion

1. It Is A Dominion Of Deception Matthew 2:8,12

(Romans 7:11) For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.

2. It Is A Dominion Of Destruction

(Matthew 2:13) And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

(Romans 3:10-16) As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: {11} There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. {12} They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. {13} Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: {14} Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: {15} Their feet are swift to shed blood: {16} Destruction and misery are in their ways:

B. It Is Here That We See The Old Difficulties

1. Notice The Difficulty Of Separation

flee - Greek 5343. pheugo, meaning to run away (literally or figuratively); by implication it means to shun.

Just as Egypt represented a separation and a shunning for Mary and Joseph, the old life of sin represents a separation and a shunning.

(Ephesians 2:11-12) Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; {12} That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

2. Notice The Difficulty Of Sorrow

(Matthew 2:18) In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

(Luke 18:22-23) Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. {23} And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.

II. Israel Speaks Of The Covenant Life In Our Journey With Jesus (vs. 19-22)

As Warren Wiersbe said, "Israel is a type of the church - delivered from the bondage of the world, led on a pilgrim journey, and protected by God."

The Keil & Delitzsch Commentary also says, "The history of Israel is a type of the history of Christ and His Church."

A. Like Salvation, Israel Was A Place Of Faith's Transformation

vs. 19-21

1. The Old Monarch Is Dead

(Matthew 2:20) Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life.

Remember Russell Rice presenting this thought in Romans class in Bible College.

(Romans 6:11) Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

(Romans 6:14) For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

2. The Old Man Is Delivered

(Matthew 2:21) And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.

(Romans 7:24-25) O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? {25} I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

(Romans 8:1) There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

B. Like Being Saved, Israel Was A Place Of Further Threats vs. 22

Joseph was fearful because even though Herod, who represented the punishment of sin, had died, Archelaus, who represented the ongoing power of sin, is now on the throne. Does being a Christian exempt us from the problems of the sin dynasty? No. Sin is still a threat.

Archelaus means "people ruling," and as long as people are in this world, we are going to have to contend with the sin problem.

1. Notice That Joseph Had An Awareness Of Further Threats

(Matthew 2:22) But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:

(2 Corinthians 2:11) Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

(1 Peter 5:8-9) Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: {9} Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

sober - watchful vigilant - awake

2. Notice That Joseph Had An Avoiding Of Further Threats

(1 Corinthians 6:18) Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.

(1 Corinthians 10:14) Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.

(1 Timothy 6:11) But thou, O man of God, flee these things (covetousness); and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

(2 Timothy 2:22) Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

III. Galilee Speaks Of The Committed Life In Our Journey With Jesus

(vs. 22-23)

(1 Corinthians 3:1-2) And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. {2} I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

This step of the journey separates the spiritual from the carnal. It distinguishes between those who are Christians and those who are committed Christians.

A. This Is Where The Will Of God Is Accomplished

1. We Find The Right Direction In This Journey

"he turned aside into the parts of Galilee"

2. We Find The Right Destination In This Journey

"he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth"

(Proverbs 3:5-6) Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. {6} In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

B. This Is Where The Word Of God Is Applied

1. We Live In Straight Paths

"he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth"

(Hebrews 12:13) And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

2. When We Learn In Scriptural Passages

(Matthew 2:23) And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

(Isaiah 11:1) And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:

(John 1:45-46) Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. {46} And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.

Conclusion

The destination in these journeys is not so much a place as a person. The destination is Jesus!