In today’s reading, the plot thickens as we encounter Mary, Joseph, and Jesus fleeing from their home to stay safe. They flee to Egypt.

Egypt is a theme throughout all of Scripture. It shows up as a place of refuge for Jacob’s family (thanks to Joseph) and a place of oppression. Here we read about Egypt as a place of refuge and as a fulfillment of a prophecy about the Messiah. Matthew pulls back to prophecies quite a bit. He is writing to a Jewish audience. An audience well-versed in Scripture and eagerly awaiting the coming of the Messiah.

Matthew refers to 16 prophecies that are fulfilled by Jesus. This is more than double all the prophecies made by the other Gospels combined. Matthew obviously wants to make a point here. The fact that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah. The Christ Child.

Now back to Egypt.

This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “I called my Son out of Egypt” (Matthew 2:15b).

Why is this an important detail and prophecy for Matthew to point out? What significance does Egypt play in the lives of the Jewish people around the time that Jesus was born? For the Jewish people, Egypt was where it all began.

When Israel was a child, I loved him, and I called my son out of Egypt (Hosea 11:1).

In Egypt, God’s chosen people were enslaved and not their own. But Moses, through God’s power, brought them out of slavery. They were once slaves, and now they are free. Jesus does the same for us. We were once slaves to sin, but now we are set free through Jesus’ blood.

As a follower of Christ, you get to live in this freedom. You have been redeemed and brought out of the death of sin into the everlasting life of Jesus Christ. May you shine this light and life to all you encounter today.

Reflection:

  • Why do you think Matthew places such strong emphasis on fulfilled prophecy, and how does that shape your understanding of Jesus as the Messiah?
  • Egypt is portrayed as both a place of refuge and a place of slavery—how have you experienced places or seasons in life that held both meanings at the same time?
  • What does it mean for you to live in the freedom Christ offers, and how can you reflect that freedom and hope to others today?