He is Still the Light of the World
A Meditation for the Blue Christmas Experience 2023
7 Then Herod secretly called for the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him.” 9 After hearing the king, they went on their way; and behold, the star, which they had seen in the east, went on ahead of them until it came to a stop over the place where the Child was to be found. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And after they came into the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary; and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And after being warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way. 13 Now when they had gone, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up! Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him.” 14 So Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was still night, and left for Egypt. 15 He stayed there until the death of Herod; this happened so that what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet would be fulfilled: “Out of Egypt I called My Son.” 16 Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and sent men and killed all the boys who were in Bethlehem and all its vicinity who were two years old or under, according to the time which he had determined from the magi. 17 Then what had been spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: 18 “A voice was heard in Ramah, Weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children; And she refused to be comforted, Because they were no more.” – Matthew 2:7-18 (NASB)
This is what the Lord says: “A voice is heard in Ramah, Lamenting and bitter weeping. Rachel is weeping for her children; She refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are no more.” – Jeremiah 31:15 (NASB)
The BIG Idea:
King Herod’s anger with the Magi led to the slaughter of innocent children in Bethlehem. The prophecy of Jeremiah reminds us that Jesus is the One who can provide hope and salvation in even the darkest moments of life. We truly can experience hope and healing in our deepest pain through a personal relationship and faith journey with Jesus.
In our grief, we can find ourselves either turning away from God, or turning to God.
Matthew focuses our gaze on the hope God can bring us, even during what may seem like hopeless circumstances.
In Chapter 31 of Jeremiah, God makes a specific promise through the words of the prophet.
You have taken account of my miseries; Put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your book? - Psalm 56:8 (NASB)
If we are still here, there is a purpose for us and a race to finish.
Be honest about this with God. Being honest prevents bitterness.
When we face disappointment with Jesus, He will sculpt virtues in us like faith, perseverance, hope, endurance, and forgiveness.
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. – Romans 15:13 (NASB)
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as indeed the rest of mankind do, who have no hope. – I Thessalonians 4:13 (NASB)
For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. – Romans 10:13 (NASB)
This is what the Lord says: “A voice is heard in Ramah, Lamenting and bitter weeping. Rachel is weeping for her children; She refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are no more.” – Jeremiah 31:15 (NASB)
The BIG Idea:
King Herod’s anger with the Magi led to the slaughter of innocent children in Bethlehem. The prophecy of Jeremiah reminds us that Jesus is the One who can provide hope and salvation in even the darkest moments of life. We truly can experience hope and healing in our deepest pain through a personal relationship and faith journey with Jesus.
In our grief, we can find ourselves either turning away from God, or turning to God.
Matthew focuses our gaze on the hope God can bring us, even during what may seem like hopeless circumstances.
In Chapter 31 of Jeremiah, God makes a specific promise through the words of the prophet.
- God will turn mourning into joy. (verse 13)
- God will give them a hope for the future. (verse 17)
- God will return their worship to God. (verse 23)
- God will bring rest to the weary souls. (verse 25)
You have taken account of my miseries; Put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your book? - Psalm 56:8 (NASB)
If we are still here, there is a purpose for us and a race to finish.
Be honest about this with God. Being honest prevents bitterness.
When we face disappointment with Jesus, He will sculpt virtues in us like faith, perseverance, hope, endurance, and forgiveness.
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. – Romans 15:13 (NASB)
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as indeed the rest of mankind do, who have no hope. – I Thessalonians 4:13 (NASB)
For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. – Romans 10:13 (NASB)