December 31 – Matthew 2:13-23

During this Christmas season, we celebrate that Jesus came to be with us, and we rejoice and anticipate that He is coming again. Hallelujah!

This study uses the SOAP method of Bible study to seek an application for each reading (not sure what this is? Check out the What’s SOAP? tab). We have provided an example SOAP note below today’s reading. Join in this study by completing the daily readings and journaling using SOAP, and you are welcome to use the Comments section at the bottom of our homepage to share or ask questions.

Reading: Matthew 2:13-23 The Escape to Egypt 13 When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” 14 So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, 15 where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.” 16 When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. 17 Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: 18 “A voice is heard in Ramah,     weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children     and refusing to be comforted,     because they are no more.” The Return to Nazareth 19 After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt 20 and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.” 21 So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, 23 and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene.

SOAP Note

New Year, New Me! | Marianne Toovey

Scripture

Matthew 2:14, 21

Observation

Mary gets a lot of praise and recognition for her faithfulness. Her reaction, when told she was pregnant with the Son of God while a virgin was, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” (Luke 1:38) Which is much more calm and trusting that what my reaction would have been! But it’s easy to forget in the excitement of it all that Joseph demonstrates a great faith too. He finds out the woman he’s to marry is pregnant and he knows he’s not the father for obvious reasons, but chooses to stay with her at God’s request (Matthew 1:24). Now all the craziness is supposed to be over. The baby’s born, they’re in a permanent home, not the stable, the wisemen have come and gone. But here’s God again with more instructions. What does he do? He up and leaves immediately without question. Same when it’s time to come back. Not once do we see Joseph question God’s plan. Instead we see him obey instantly.

Application

I do not have that kind of obedience. When God speaks to me, I question it for days – was it really God? Did I really understand? What does it mean for me? Why me? I’d like to exercise my trust muscles in the new year. Maybe my new year’s resolution for 2021 will be to question less and just do what I’m told!

Prayer

Lord, it’s scary to think that I’m not in control, but if I truly stop to think about it – do I really want that control? You’d be a better guide for my life than I would be! Help me to listen better, to be more focused, and to show myself (and others) grace as I let go of the reins. Help me to rest in Your care, knowing I’m well protected and provided for. I want Joseph’s obedience, but I’m going to need some help getting there! Thank You for all You’ve taught me in 2020, and thank You for the new opportunities I’ll have to learn and grow with You in 2021. I love You! In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Discover One Thing main website has more resources on the SOAP method of Bible study. Click HERE to go to the website.