Matthew 2:13-23

Christ Persecuted from His Youth Up

God knows what the evil one is plotting, and God acts to protect his people and carry out his holy will.

Christ was born into battle.

Matthew 1 reveals Christ to be at the center of God's plans for salvation: the son of Abraham, the son of David, the Son of God, has come into the world as promised.

Matthew 2 reveals Christ attacked as soon as he appears.

1 John 3:8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.

The Seed of the woman has come to crush the head of the serpent.

Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel."

The Seed of the woman will have his heel struck: he is persecuted and suffers right from the beginning.

Psalm 129:1 "Many a time they have afflicted me from my youth," let Israel now say.

Christ was protected in battle.

Luke 2:34-35 Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, "Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against "(yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."

God's watchfulness is revealed by his words to Joseph, v. 13

God's watchfulness over his beloved is the source from which our assurance flows.

God's Son flees to Egypt, the land of refuge for Jacob.

Christ's people follow him into battle.

Christ faced deadly opposition from his birth on; the devil prowls and hunts God's people.

Revelation 12:13 Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child.

Mt 5:10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Joseph trusted the word of the Lord for protection; we have no better source of direction and counsel.

Eph 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of

this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

James 4:7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

Christ humbled himself to minister to us; we are raised up to serve Him.

John 1:46 And Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see."

Acts 22:8 "So I answered, 'Who are You, Lord?' And He said to me, 'I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.'