An angel of the Lord … said, "Take the child and His mother, and escape to Egypt.” (Matthew 2:13)

Modern air travel is really something to marvel at. Flights to Cairo, Egypt, for example are announced as casually as though they were bus trips to the little town of Cairo, Illinois.

The Bible reports on two flights to Egypt. The first of these was made to save the lives of the patriarch Jacob and some 70 family members from starvation (Genesis 42:1-3).

The second flight to Egypt was even more urgent. At stake was the life of the infant Jesus, whom the Wise Men had come to worship as King. This had aroused the hatred of King Herod, who wanted to destroy the child. So the Holy Family left Bethlehem and fled to Egypt.

Saint Matthew links the two flights to Egypt together. To Pharoah the Lord had said through Moses: “Israel is My firstborn son, and I told you, ‘Let My son go so he may worship Me’” (Exodus 4:22-23). Through Hosea God repeated, “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son” (Hosea 11:1). When years later Jesus was recalled from Egypt, the Scriptural prophecy was again fulfilled that had said: “Out of Egypt I called My son” (Matthew 2:15). Jesus was the Son who in all things was obedient where Israel, the first son, had been disobedient.

Flight Two to Egypt was a lifesaver. It is that also for us. Because the life of Jesus was spared, He was able to lay down His life on the cross for our salvation.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus Christ, we thank you for having been the Father’s obedient Son, for thus You atoned for our disobedience. Amen.

(Taken from “Our Journey with Jesus” (out of print) copyright 1976, International Lutheran Laymen’s League.)

Today's Bible Readings: 2 Kings 13-14    James 5

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