But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child's life are dead.”
Matthew 2:19-20
The devil wanted to destroy the work of Jesus before it could even be started. When King Herod heard from visiting wise men that a new king had been born in Bethlehem, he issued a horrible order. He sent a death squad to Bethlehem where all boys under 2 years of age were then systematically murdered. But God protected Jesus, warning Joseph in a dream to flee to Egypt. Then, later, after the death of the crazy ruler Herod, Joseph was told to return to Israel.
Jesus was born to die on a cross, and not at the hands of an insane tyrant. He would give His life. It would not be taken. And so, God kept the gospel story safe even as an evil world conspired against it. Evil always opposes the life and work of Jesus. And it will until the time when He returns to finally rule this world in holiness and peace. We can always expect circumstances to challenge the task of spreading the good news that Jesus died and rose again to bring true eternal life to all who will believe.
Christians need not fear the evil that is in this world. God protects His saving work. This present crisis is a great example. The gospel thrives in a new way with churches proclaiming it publicly like never before. This virus forced us into public proclamation via the internet. A sickness that is part of the curse on this world has become a motivation to boldly share Jesus as broadly as possible. We cannot cloister in our buildings. We now share Jesus in the public square to any who will listen. We freely declare peace and power in Jesus! Nothing stops God’s saving work... not politics, not human power, not disease, not death, and not the decree of man. May the gospel move forward this Holy Week like never before!
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