Today's Daily Lesson comes from Matthew chapter 2 verses 1 through 3:
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” 3 When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him.
When Herod heard of another king vying to take his place, he went off the rails, but not for the first time. Herod rarely ever was on the rails. Maniacal and self-absorbed, he would do anything to stay in power -- anything. And that is why the Bible says that when he about the birth of another king "he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him." All Jerusalem and all Israel knew how mad he could be. In fact, all Rome knew it; and that is why the Emperor sat Herod into vassal power, because Herod was just deranged enough to do whatever was necessary hold onto the power he had, even if that meant killing innocent people -- even children.
So, the Holy Family -- Joseph and Mary and Jesus and perhaps other older half-siblings and cousins -- had to flee. Warned by an angel in a dream, they became refugees overnight.
Herod was afraid. And all Jerusalem was afraid also. And according to the angel in the dream, they had every right to be afraid. For this was no game.
And so only by believing the angel, and seeing the circumstances soberly, did Joseph save Jesus.
For fear had turned to rage in Herod; and soon Rachel would weep for her children, because they would be no more.
NOTE: We are reading the whole Bible through this year. Tomorrow's Lesson comes from Matthew 3; Mark 1; and Luke 3.
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