Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.” 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.” But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child's life are dead.” And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene. (Mat 2:13-23)

We know the story well.

Or do we?

While the story is familiar, we probably don’t know it as well as we think.

          nor what it has to say to us about today and the future

An appropriate word for today

The inspirational example of Mary and Joseph

   How they responded to the threat, and the way God lead them.

We pick up the story after the departure of the Magi,

There is much here that is disturbing!

   But Joseph’s (a rigteous man Matt.1:19) response astounding.

Angels!

How willing are you to do what God says?

Of course the right answer is YES

But, are we really?

See Matt.18:22  “every time, immediately and always!” 

Or see Mat.25 or Jer.22:33 or Matt.19:22

Just becasue we are doing what God wants - doesn't mean everything will work out!

While Mary, Joseph and Jesus escaped and were saved…

       there was a great tragedy for many others! Matt.2:16           

“Where is God in this tragedy”

Matthew reminds us that it was predicted.

Nothing takes God by surprise.

Do not be surprised if the world hates you… 1 John 3:13:

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. (1Pe 4:12)

Even Jesus himself said “In this world you will have trouble…

But take heart! I have overcome the world! John 15:33

Our response in it all is - to trust and obey!

To Love our neighbours and welcome strangers…

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. (2Co 1:3-4)

“To do what God says is to do God’s will”

If you want to be “in God’s Will” - then do what He says

This is the example of Mary and Joseph

“Their escape to Egypt fulfilled God’s promise about the Messiah: “Out of Egypt I called my Son”

“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”

And now their settling in Nazareth, even that “was foretold by the prophets: He will be called a Nazarene.” Mat.2:23

So how do we know if we are in God's will?

do what God tells you!

The Bible makes it clear for us so we have no excuse. 

In Matthew 22, Jesus was asked about the greatest commandment.

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbour as yourself. (Mat 22:37-39)

What is God’s will for us?

To love God...

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. (Joh 14:1)

And love others

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. – John 13:34

By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (Joh 13:35)

Do people experience you as loving?

   Do they know we love them?

If this is what we focus on in 2026. 

   Then we can be assured – we are doing God’s will.          

If we spend our time – loving God and being loved by Him.

   Then what comes out when the bumps come – will be love.