Tag Archives: the book of Matthew

January 17
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Uncategorized Aside

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28, KJV)

Strange as it seems, some people (no matter how tired, weary, harried, or over-committed) will just not take a break. 

Such folks rise early; retire late; work every weekend; and lose vacation time routinely.  For such persons, work is not a means — but an end; a tyrannical, dead end.  To such persons, Jesus offers a simple, effective, alternative: “Come unto me. . . and I will give you rest.”

Take time to pray.  Take time to listen to the Holy Spirit.  Take time to meditate on His word — and He will give you rest.   – Luther

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December 26
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Uncategorized Aside

“So Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was still night, and left for Egypt. He remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: ‘Out of Egypt I called My Son.’” (Matthew 2:14-15a, NASB)

Egypt.

Time and again in the Bible, Egypt becomes the place of exile and pain. Joseph (of many-colored coat fame; please see Genesis 37 for details) found himself in Egypt after being sold by his brothers. The Children of Israel were delivered from slavery in Egypt in what is known as the Exodus. And now, the Christ child is taken to Egypt by His parents to escape Herod’s slaughter of children.

Exile may have its purposes but it, nevertheless, also had its own proximate difficulties: Loneliness, unfamiliarity, suffering.

Have you ever been exiled to your own “Egypt”?  Are you there today?

If you are, be resolute in the knowledge that God is in “Egypt” with you; that God will never forsake you; and that God will, in the fullness of time, deliver you.  – Luther

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