After accomplishing all the work necessary to their salvation, the risen Christ still ministered to his disciples by overcoming their doubt and fear, ignorance and confusion, anxiety and sorrow.

The Lord gave his people two ongoing reminders of the fact that he had redeemed them from judgment and slavery, and thereby consecrated them to be his own.

Christ gives his disciples true contentment by teaching them to be humble, to be quiet, and to hope in him.

Matthew resoundingly identifies Jesus, not Herod, as the true king of the Jews and the one deserving of all obedience and even worship.

Having redeemed his people from judgment through the blood of a lamb, God now redeemed them from slavery through the defeat of a tyrant.

God gave his people a perpetual reminder of their redemption, even before their redemption was accomplished.

The significant blood of the Passover lamb served as a double sign of salvation.

Pharaoh's hardening served God's end of making himself known and making clear what he demands.

God's purpose in plaguing Egypt was his own glory and his people's good.

Election is God's eternal decree to save his specifically chosen people through the use of appointed means.