After the kings visited the Christ child, an angel of God 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.” Matthew 2:13.
Joseph once again obeyed God’s command and took the child and his mother to Egypt. When it was safe, the angel appeared to Joseph again in a dream and told him to return to the land of Israel. This fulfilled what the Lord said through the prophets: “Out of Egypt I called my son.” Hosea 11:1.
Herod was afraid of the Christ because he thought he came to take away his kingdom, his throne. Herod misunderstood the reason for Christ’s coming. He could not understand that He came to give him eternal life, not to take anything away from him.
Today many people have the idea that Christ wants to take something away from them. I heard a young man make this remark as a teenager. “I am going to do everything I want to do first. Then you can talk to me about being a Christian.” He could not realize that if he gave his heart to Jesus first, then his wants would change. He would then have everything he needed.
Jesus came to give us eternal life and the freedom to enjoy life through His love. When we embrace this gift, life becomes full and meaningful in the only way that matters.
Have a blessed day!
In Christian love,
Diane