Sermon Tone Analysis

These dreams: God’s Protection in Uncertain Times

In the aftermath of the Covid Pandemic, we can all agree that we are living in uncertain times.

Not since the 1930s and the Great Depression have we seen such social and economic upheaval: massive business closings, and mounting debt, rising interest rates, rising food costs, and with even more uncertainty ahead.

In the midst of all this, families are having a hard time.

Mental health experts said the financial stress of these times is taking a toll on people and family: mental health: anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and money-rooted marital conflicts are at the forefront of many of our minds.

These are uncertain times, but today’s reading suggests that God provides protection in uncertain times.

God demonstrates God’s providential care in uncertain times.

The loss of the “innocents” was an overwhelming cruelty, but we see a more hopeful vision in the way that God protected the Messiah child, and we can pray for God to protect each of us in uncertain times.

Matthew 2:13–23 is clear that God would act to protect the Messiah, God’s Son, from the dangers of life in this world.

Herod waited to hear from the magi, who had come from the East, following the star that announced the birth of the one born king of the Jews.

He had instructed them that when they found the child, they should return and let him know, so that he could worship as well.

In a dream, it was revealed to the magi that they should not go back to Herod but should return to their country by another route.

When Herod realized that they had tricked him, he was angry, and in his jealous rage he gave orders that all the boys in Bethlehem and vicinity that were two years old and under were to be killed.

An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, instructed Joseph that Herod was seeking to kill the child, and that they were to go to Egypt and stay there until receiving further instructions.

Egypt, under Roman control, was outside of Herod’s jurisdiction, and the child would be safe there.

Herod went forth with his diabolical plan, and the weeping of mothers was heard throughout Bethlehem.

The grief was so large that the women refused to be comforted.

One commentator suggests that despite the weeping of mothers, the blessing and hope was that the Messiah escaped, and because the Messiah escaped, eventually the people would be comforted.

In the Messiah’s escape, everyone, even mothers who lost their sons, would be comforted.

The Messiah would reign one day, and there would be no such murder and violence.

Despite wanting to kill the child, Herod died.

Upon the death of Herod, the angel of the Lord appeared again, and Joseph was instructed to take the child home, because the one who wanted to take the child’s life was dead.

Joseph heard that Herod’s son was reigning in place of Herod; therefore, according to another dream, he withdrew to Galilee and lived in a town called Nazareth.

Nazareth was a despised place.

Old Testament prophets foretold that the Messiah was to be despised (Pss.

22:6–8, 13; 69:8; Isa.

49:7; 53:2–8; Dan.

9:26).

The point is that God can protect the Messiah from hurt, harm, and danger, from even the most despicable people in the most despised places.

Readings:

Prayer:

O Holy One,

heavenly angels spoke to earthly shepherds

and eternity entered time in the child of Bethlehem.

Through the telling of the Christmas story,

let our temporal lives be caught up in the eternal

in that same child,

that we might join shepherds and all the heavenly host

in praising the coming of Jesus Christ, our Savior.

Amen.