Sermon Recap | An Echo of Exodus

an eho of exodus

 

In this week’s sermon on Matthew 2, CJ both further helped us connect the gospel to our study of Exodus and encouraged us towards greater affection towards Jesus in light of that.

First, we examined the Magi. This mysterious band of Gentiles from the East knew little about Scripture, had to travel a remarkably long distance, and gave precious valuables to the baby. What truly admirable devotion, and how wonderful their reward: they saw and worshipped the Son of God incarnate himself.

But not all shared the "exceedingly great joy" of the Magi. King Hared felt threatened by this baby. And, similar to Pharaoh in Exodus 1, ordered the murder of all infants in the area in order to kill Jesus and stop God from delivering his people. But God's plans will not be thwarted by human craftiness. God warns Joseph to flee to Egypt to protect the baby and Joseph obeys. Why Egypt? Because God wanted to show that Exodus is a pattern in his divine plan. Matthew draws our attention to this by quoting Hosea 10, "out of Egypt I have called by Son." God's covenant love and loyalty was shown truly in the Exodus, but more fully in the second Exodus that Jesus brings. With the arrival of this baby, a new and final Exodus is underway. In the incarnation, God was beginning the final, greater, spiritual Exodus that took place when God called, not his son “Israel," but his only begotten Son, “Jesus," out of Egypt.

CJ concluded the sermon by encouraging us, in light of having experienced this greater Exodus, to "come" and "adore" Jesus. If the Magi had reason to worship Jesus with their limited knowledge, how much more so should we, who have experienced the promised deliverance and who understand more fully God's plan to save us from our sins? We have experienced the greatest display of God's affection for us when Jesus died for us on the cross, not to deliver us from human bondage, but from bondage to sin, death, and hell. He has freed us that we might us to enjoy and "adore him" forever.