THOUGHTS ABOUT CHRISTMAS AND PERSECUTION

 

How did Mary feel as the awe-inspiring caravan pulled up in front of her place? How did she feel when the dignified foreigners, Magi from the East, entered her little house? How did she feel as they set eyes on the little King of the Jews and fell in worship at his tiny feet? How did she feel as they proceeded to open their sacks and offer him their prized possessions – greatly valued gifts of gold, incense and myrrh? What a moment for Mary to treasure!

    But things can change quickly. And they did. All too soon, Mary would learn of powerful foes intent on evil – evil directed at her family! Murderous hearts would despise her precious child and try to wipe him from the earth. Just as Simeon had predicted, some, like the Magi, would “rise” by falling to worship Him, while others, like Herod, would “fall” by rising to destroy Him. There would be no neutrality when it came to the Son of God.

    The Magi had been naive to trust Herod. But their mistake did not escape God. He warned them in a dream against returning to Herod after their successful mission. They journeyed back to their own country by a route that avoided Jerusalem.

    Shortly thereafter, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up," he said, "take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him” (Matt 2: 13).
What must it be like to have your husband shake you awake in the middle of the night with urgent words? “We’ve got to flee to Egypt... now!” How terrifying it would be to ask “Why?” and hear him respond, “Because King Herod is coming to kill our son!” She would wipe the sleep from her eyes and stammer, “King Herod. . . THE King Herod? Our . . . our son?”

    This king — Herod the Great — was known for his cruelty, executions, and assassinations. He would go to any end to stamp out perceived threats. Everyone knew he had even had his favorite wife strangled! Mary leaped out of bed. She would not plead with Joseph to wait til morning.

    What did she think as she hastily threw together a few belongings, bundled up her little one, and fled in the night? Did she wonder why the king was out to get her innocent little boy? Did she think the sword thrust to her heart that Simeon had prophesied was imminent? Did she question God’s plan as she left her beloved Israel to travel through the inhospitable Negev desert to find safe haven in pagan Egypt?

    As we worship Christ this Christmas season, let us remember that our faith was birthed in turmoil and persecution. Our Lord and his earthly parents knew persecution well. The early church lived with it. Sometimes they even died nobly in Roman arenas. Christians of all centuries have known persecution. Today, throughout the world, more of His followers than ever suffer intense persecution. Indeed, more than 2,000 years after Christ spoke them, these words still prove true: “If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also” (John 15:20). Still, His program goes forward; His kingdom advances!

    Do you wonder what to lay at the feet of Baby Jesus this Christmas? Give Him your heart. That means you will give Him your undying loyalty and devotion, no matter what the world thinks and no matter what the next year holds. Also, you will love and labor for His Kingdom and His church. And perhaps you will remember to pray for your suffering brothers and sisters throughout the world.

    Perhaps you are weary, perhaps downcast. Perhaps you are distracted from your purpose. Perhaps you have lost sight of God's intent for your life and where you fit in His plan. I think we can all get this way, especially as the old year winds down. Let the Christmas story remind and reassure you that God has a plan and that He is performing it, regardless of what all the devils in hell intend to do. Jesus Christ is alive; He is Lord; He is building His church; His Kingdom continues to advance; He is coming soon!

    Let’s regain our focus; be about His business; help build our lives, our families, our churches. Let’s commit ourselves to His glory!  Amen?  Amen!!!

                                                                                                         

(See my other Christmas article in my archive,  Christmas and the Spirit of Herod)