5. Out of Egypt

Introduction

General: When I traveled to St. Joe, MO, for my niece’s wedding, and wasn’t aware that I was off course until we were driving by the Royals’ stadium… We were off track because we missed the sign.

Personal: Did you know that God puts up signs in our lives? How often do we get off track because we miss his signs?

Biblical: Unusual story in Matthew’s Gospel about Jesus escaping from King Herod and going down to Egypt. Read Matt 2:13-15 (ESV).

Subject: Why does it matter that Jesus went down to Egypt? What difference does this story make?

Body

Egypt is a sign that shows us who Jesus really is.

Exposition

Matt 2:15, 17, 23… “This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken…” More than 10 times in Matthew’s Gospel… Jesus followed in the footsteps of Israel and Moses. He fits the pattern, fulfills the prophecies, keeps the promises, and brings hope to life… He is the Son of God and the Savior of the world.

There were a number of people who claimed to be the Messiah. But they had never been down to Egypt and come out. They weren’t called Nazarenes. They weren’t born where the prophets said the Messiah would be born—in Bethlehem. None of them were the Messiah. They were just a bunch of pretenders.

There are many false Messiahs, false Saviors, and false prophets in the world today. But none of them fulfill the prophecies. None of them deliver on the promises. They’re all pretenders.

Jesus isn’t just another teacher / philosopher / religious leader / guru. He is uniquely the Son of God and the Savior of the World. He’s the only Savior we have, and he’s the only Savior we need.

Illustration: Driving south out of Milwaukee on I-94, you’ll see a massive billboard: “469 miles to Buc-ee’s.” When Matthew says, “This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken,” it’s God’s way of putting up a billboard: “Here is the Savior I promised to send!”

Application: So what? “God works through both surprise and continuity.” —Michael Green // Sometimes the things we think don’t matter or couldn’t possibly be part of God’s plans are the very things God is using to shape who we’re becoming. Where is God putting billboards in your life, but you’ve been driving by without really noticing? Too busy, too distracted, too much hurt…

Egypt is a sign that shows us who God really is.

Exposition: Who is God? What kind of God is he?

Is he a capricious God? A selfish God? An angry tyrant? An indifferent God who couldn’t care less about our lives? A God who never gives us his approval, no matter how hard we try?

Jesus is the kind of God who goes to Egypt. Egypt represents slavery. Jesus came to the land of slavery to set us free.

Illustration: How many kings stepped down from their thrones? // How many lords have abandoned their homes? // How many greats have become the least for me? // How many gods have poured out their hearts // To romance a world that is torn all apart? // How many fathers gave up their sons for me? // Only one did that for me.

Application: Jesus is the one God promised. He came to the land of slavery and took all the evil and sin onto himself and carried it to the cross. I wonder what we are like? Am I angry? Do I put myself first? Am I careless of the people around me who are hurting? Do I withhold my approval? Or am I like Jesus? Filled with grace? Filled with love? Moved by compassion? Willing to go into the darkness and shine the light of Christ? Willing to go into the land of slavery and bring people to Jesus and to freedom?

Conclusion

This story about Jesus going to Egypt is a billboard at the beginning of the New Testament. “Look! I promised to save you, and I have sent my Son to rescue you. His name is Jesus. Come to him and be free. Repent and believe this good news.” Don’t miss the sign. It leads to life.