Tomorrow is New Year's Day, which is exciting for most of us. While some of us may be filled with dread or uncertainty about what the new year could bring. Most of our culture embraces the New Year with hope and an expectation that things could get better this next year. We set our goals; we highlight the possibilities of a fresh calendar year, and we set new budgets and rhythms of life.
But before we hit that day, Missio- We have a story in Matthew to reflect on.
It’s a story that reminds us that even though Jesus has arrived, the world is still not all right. Not yet.
Matthew 2
13 When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”
14 So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night, and left for Egypt, 15 where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt, I called my son.”
16 When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. 17 Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:
18 “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.”
In the Christian calendar, December 28th of 2023 marked Holy Innocents' Day. This was a day of remembrance for the tragic event shared in the Gospel of Matthew. We hit this story on our scattered week, but we didn’t want us to skip over it. As leaders of Missio we think it’s important that we don’t just hit the highlights of stars, gifts, rejoicing, and adoration, but also slow down with the texts that are hard—the stories that invite us into the low places, where God’s grace seems to puddle even in the pain.
Short Rundown: Herod's ruthless massacre of Bethlehem's male infants demonstrates the depth of human suffering, the capacity of humans to inflict pain on others in pursuit of their own agendas, and serves as a foundational story in the life of Jesus, the Messiah.
There may not have been more than 20 children under 2 in the small town of Bethlehem, but that doesn’t strip any of the horror from this story. I think Matthew includes this story to highlight the clash of kingdoms that was taking place. Jesus and his kingdom of Shalom (peace), justice, and forgiveness were clashing against the kingdom of darkness. This story illustrates the ruthless way that violence rips through the fabric of God’s created order, and even the most innocent suffer as a result. In attempting to eradicate the world of its Savior, Herod murders the most vulnerable in the city. Jesus is spared as Joseph has a dream, and they head to Egypt for a bit—but the story of Jesus is one steeped in pain, displacement, and real-world issues, even from the very start.
Across the world, churches observe a day in remembrance of this event. But more than a solemn remembrance, it’s a call for the church to take up her role in God’s story as agents of justice and reconciliation. To live as citizens of a kingdom of Light in a world with so many dark spaces remaining. It’s a call to be prophetic and faithful as we name injustice and seek to live as a community of peace in a world of division. It’s a call to be voices for those suffering on our streets, in Gaza, in Bethlehem, in Ukraine, Darfur, and even our own foster system. It’s a call to lives that aren’t insulate ourselves from the pain, but walk through it with Jesus. It’s a reminder that everything is not all right, and we lament that. We grieve that. And we also lean into the finished work of Jesus for endurance, perspective, and hope that one day it will be.
Today, would you pause and consider the situation of so many in our world, where sin's dark stain spreads across the lives of the most vulnerable and marginalized? Would we remember the horror of hearing that babies were murdered and not dull our senses to the cries of others today?
As we remember these events from Matthew 2, may we find our hearts stirred by the Spirit with fresh compassion and a drive for justice. May we seek to actively contribute to the needs of our neighbors both locally and globally. May we seek peace and protection for the vulnerable and marginalized, after all, that’s what Jesus did for us- and explicitly calls us to do for others.
Remember Jesus didn’t stay in a far-off country but returned to Nazareth, declared good news that the kingdom of God had arrived, and lived, died, and rose again to offer new life. His victory secures our future hope that gives us endurance for this current struggle. No, it’s not all right. But one day, Jesus will return, and those cries will be comforted and those tears will finally and fully be wiped away.
Reflection Questions-
How do you think the story of Jesus being steeped in celebration, joy, and delight as well as pain, oppression, and injustice should form us as a community of disciples?
In your last season of life, where did you observe the suffering of others due to the effects of sin?
What are the areas of injustice that stir up anger (a good thing) in your heart?
Do you feel equipped to Lament well? If not, who can you ask to disciple you in that area?
Our MC’s often form around areas of injustice or darkness that the Spirit opens our eyes to see and gives vision to step into and seek justice for others. Is there a seed of anything that the Spirit is putting in your heart that could form into a Disciplemaking community working together to see others experience freedom, peace, and justice?