Scripture Text: Matthew 2:16-18
Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah:
“A voice was heard in Ramah,
weeping and loud lamentation,
Rachel weeping for her children;
she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.”
Matthew 2:16-18
This is the continuation of our study of the book of Apostle Matthew, after Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus went to Egypt in response to the angel of the Lord's command to Joseph, which was to save Jesus and keep him safe from Herod.
After that event, Apostle Matthew brings us to the part of the story where King Herod orders the killing of all male children under two years old in Bethlehem and the surrounding region because the wise men did not obey his words, and he did not know where the King of the Jews would come from. So, this was a signal of Herod's anger.
On the other hand, one thing is for sure: at that time, there was great lamentation from the families in Bethlehem and other regions because their sons would be killed and could not come back.
But because of this, it fulfilled what Prophet Jeremiah had said:
“A voice was heard in Ramah,
weeping and loud lamentation,
Rachel weeping for her children;
she refused to be comforted because they are no more.”
In the writings of Prophet Jeremiah, the context is not about lamentation; it speaks about the coming of our hope. As the scriptures say:
"There is hope for your future,
declares the LORD,
and your children shall come back to their own country."
And this hope speaks about the coming of the Messiah, our Lord Jesus, who gives life to anyone. As the Lord Jesus Christ said:
"I am the bread of Life..."
"I am the way, the Truth, and the Life..."
"I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die."
Christ is life; without Christ, there is no life.
Therefore, my fellow believers, Christ Jesus will return, and in His second coming, this is our Hope; surely, all of us will have life - eternal life with Christ Jesus.
Truly, Christ is our hope in the great sorrow of this world.
Reflect
1. Do you bring your great sorrow to Jesus Christ?
2. Do you place your life and hope in Jesus Christ alone?
Remember
God is faithful to His promise; He fulfilled the promise of the Savior's coming from the very beginning to save us from our sins. He is our only Hope in this life, and He is the very Life - with Him, there is life.
Read
Jeremiah 31, John 6:35, John 11:25, John 14:6
Pray
Heavenly Father, thank you for your grace always, for saving sinners like us and making us a part of your kingdom through Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you for this truth; this truth is more valuable than riches in this world because knowing who our Lord Jesus Christ is the true treasure in this life. All glory belongs to you. This is my prayer in the name of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen!
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