Christmas with Compassion - Day 16
Day 16 - Monday, December 25
Read Matthew 2:13-23
Highlight
The flight of Joseph and Mary to Egypt fulfills the Old Testament prophecy from Hosea 11:1, “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.” No doubt religious scholars had wondered how the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, but ‘come out’ of Egypt. Here we see God’s long-laid redemptive plans finally unfolding. What a harrowing beginning to Jesus’ story on Earth.
Hundreds of years before the birth of Jesus, the prophet Isaiah tells us about the kind of Messiah, the kind of King, we should expect in Isaiah 9:6-7:
For a child is born to us,
a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders.
And he will be called:
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His government and its peace
will never end.
He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David
for all eternity.
Jesus’ Kingdom is already a threat to the Kings of this world and His life is in danger from the very beginning. Herod did not understand, just like the vast majority of those who knew and even followed Jesus, the nature of this new Kingdom. Surely they could not have imagined a Kingdom ruled by Agape, love. Where the last would be first and enemies would dine together. This is a King like none they’ve ever experienced before, who rules His Kingdom with peace. Herod’s vision was short-sighted. Jesus didn’t come to take His throne, He brought the throne room of Heaven to Earth.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
Read Matthew 2:13-23
Highlight
The flight of Joseph and Mary to Egypt fulfills the Old Testament prophecy from Hosea 11:1, “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.” No doubt religious scholars had wondered how the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, but ‘come out’ of Egypt. Here we see God’s long-laid redemptive plans finally unfolding. What a harrowing beginning to Jesus’ story on Earth.
Hundreds of years before the birth of Jesus, the prophet Isaiah tells us about the kind of Messiah, the kind of King, we should expect in Isaiah 9:6-7:
For a child is born to us,
a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders.
And he will be called:
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His government and its peace
will never end.
He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David
for all eternity.
Jesus’ Kingdom is already a threat to the Kings of this world and His life is in danger from the very beginning. Herod did not understand, just like the vast majority of those who knew and even followed Jesus, the nature of this new Kingdom. Surely they could not have imagined a Kingdom ruled by Agape, love. Where the last would be first and enemies would dine together. This is a King like none they’ve ever experienced before, who rules His Kingdom with peace. Herod’s vision was short-sighted. Jesus didn’t come to take His throne, He brought the throne room of Heaven to Earth.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
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