An angel’s urgent warning saves the newborn Jesus from King Herod’s murderous plot, revealing Christ as the prophesied Deliverer who overcame evil.

Matthew 2:13-23

Gene Pensiero Jr

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Special Delivery (Matthew 2:13-23) | Understanding the Messiah in Crisis

The narrative begins with an urgent, life-saving warning: an angel of the Lord appears to Joseph in a dream, commanding him to take the child and Mary and flee to Egypt because Herod intends to kill the newborn King. We consider the challenging, 150-mile journey Joseph and Mary faced, moving from the comfort of their home to becoming refugees in the dark of night. Their circumstances highlight a beautiful theological truth: despite the danger, they were never outside the constant, loving watch of God. Just as Psalm 33 confirms, the Lord’s eye is always on those who fear and depend on Him. This is a powerful reminder for every believer facing uncertainty.

This episode is more than a thrilling escape; it is a profound fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. Joseph’s move to Egypt and subsequent return upon Herod’s death fulfills the words of Hosea 11:1: “Out of Egypt I called my Son.” As we explore this passage, we see Jesus presented as the ultimate Deliverer, even greater than Moses, whose life was similarly threatened in infancy. This powerful pattern confirms Jesus’s identity as the long-awaited Messiah, the Christ, who alone fits the prophetic description.

Herod’s jealous, selfish rage—fueled by a desire to cling to power and leading to the horrifying massacre of the innocents in Bethlehem—stands in stark contrast to the life and salvation offered by Jesus. The true King extends life, while Herod constantly reached for death. This wickedness, spoken of by the prophet Jeremiah, exposes the deep-seated evil that lives in the human heart and underscores why divine intervention was absolutely necessary to save humanity.

Following Herod’s gruesome end, Joseph is guided once again by an angel to return to the land of Israel. His decision to settle in the despised region of Galilee, in the tiny town of Nazareth, was not a choice of convenience but an act of immediate, costly obedience and a further confirmation of prophecy. Matthew reveals that being called a Nazarene fulfilled the prophetic theme that the Messiah would be reviled, rejected, and despised (Psalm 22, Isaiah 53). Yet, the name “Nazareth” itself—meaning “a sprout” or “a branch”—also points to the righteous reign of The Branch foretold in Isaiah 11:1.

The powers of darkness could not stop this delivery then, and they cannot stop the work of Christ in your life now. The Deliverer has been delivered to you. This teaching from Calvary Chapel emphasizes that God is watching over you, guiding you by His Holy Spirit. Our part is to choose to receive this Gift and to walk in the newness of life that He offers. If you are looking for solid Bible teaching that connects the Old and New Testaments, this study on Matthew chapter 2 will strengthen your faith and deepen your worship. Don’t miss this compelling look at the early life of our Savior.