Some have superathletic abilities and naturally excel at sports. Some have a kind of superintelligence where subjects like mathematics or languages seem more effortless for them to learn. Those sorts of people are quite impressive. We’re drawn to them and in awe of their talents. “Super” means exhibiting the characteristics of their type to an extreme or excessive degree.
This tees up my point… God is superamazing. In his mercy, he is excessive. In his holiness, he is extreme. How glad we are that where sin abounds, not death, but grace superabounds. In light of this truth about how impressive God is, Christians are drawn like a moth to a flame to this marvelous God whose nature cannot be comprehended, only worshipped.
“Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 5:20-21).
Paul Merideth
50th Week of 2023 Reading:2 CORINTHIANS 3:18 “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”
Prayer to God: “You are a God of mercy, and we are grateful beyond words. Before we ever decided to live for You, You sent Jesus, full of mercy and grace for us. We ask You to show mercy and preserve life in every region – we pray for far-off places and places close to home. We ask You to soften the hearts of the proud and grant wisdom to the humble. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”
Reflections: How does the message about God’s amazing grace in Romans 5:20-21 adjust how you weigh or make sense of your salvation?
Sermon Preview: I’m continuing my series drawing from Matthew’s Gospel. Next is a look at chapter 16, where the disciples miss the point, and Jesus offers a corrective lesson about their little faith; “Why can’t you understand that I’m not talking about bread?” You’re invited to come and worship with us.
Not a modern jet flight with first-class comfort and convenience; no, not even coach. They weren’t gazing out the window at the beautiful turquoise of the Mediterranean from 30,000 feet up. Instead, it was a harrowing trip by foot, taking them through the Sinai desert along long stretches of barren terrain at night. Not an easy trip for any young family. But Joseph has a precious treasure to protect. Here is infant Jesus, guarded by Joseph and Mary, escaping to an unlikely place of refuge from a maniac king.
In Matthew’s account of the flight to Egypt (Matthew 2:11-21), we read of a journey marked by adversity, fear, and, ultimately, the unwavering faithfulness of God’s providence. What is in one moment a beautiful scene of worship and adoration to the newborn king by the magi quickly turns to a pressured escape from a lunatic Herod. “Flee to Egypt (the angel says to Joseph)… for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” It was a narrow escape. “And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt.”
Here we see divine action, the angelic warning, and their instant obedience. Joseph obeys the angel’s instructions precisely and immediately, even waking his family in the night to flee. They followed directions well.
Yet why would Herod want to kill an infant? He made the bizarrely cruel decision to slaughter dozens of young boys to exterminate the one he thought could dethrone him. Did he feel his petty power threatened? What kind of egomaniac, what sort of tyrant, what kind of madman could commit such bloodthirsty crimes? Maybe Satan knew God was up to something big and leveraged all his demonic might to try to stop humanity’s redemption at its most vulnerable moment. We don’t know for sure. But we do know that at the divine direction, a messenger 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.” This is Joseph’s mission. His purpose moment. Take, flee, remain. What a good father.
If entrusted with something valuable, it must be protected. In this moment of urgency, Joseph, who doesn’t get a lot of airtime in the text, steps up to do his duty. This is his shining moment to serve the Lord at a crucial time in redemptive history. He fulfills his mission.
And so for us, when we are entrusted, sometimes even unexpectedly, with something valuable, we must cherish and protect it. Maybe for you, it means being a responsible parent prioritizing the precious young faith of your children. Perhaps you are in the season of life where God has entrusted you with care for a senior parent. And though their memory is fading and their dependency ever increasing, you obey your mission from the Lord to honor your father and mother. And consider, maybe it’s your own faith that needs to take a flight to Egypt to protect it from being murdered by temptation.
Thankfully, we know that God is faithful in his promises, and we do well to flee to him in our dark moments. “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Psalm 73:26).
The flight to Egypt is a powerful demonstration to God’s providential care in the face of adversity, and the obedient response of God’s faithful servants. As we navigate the challenges of our own journeys, let us remember that God’s plans often unfold in unexpected ways. Whether in moments of adoration, seeking refuge, or facing the sorrow of a broken world, God remains faithful, guiding us through the shadows toward the light of His redemptive purpose.
May we find solace in the assurance that, just as God protected the family on their journey, he is with us in our own pilgrimages of faith. Trust in God’s providence, obey his directions, for in him we find our refuge and our hope.
Paul Merideth
49th Week of 2023 Reading:LAMENTATIONS 3:22-23 “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
Prayer to God: “Heavenly Father, please give us peace to still today’s anxieties, help us be generous with forgiveness to quench our bitterness against others, and inspire us with passion to pursue kingdom work faithfully. We confess our sins and appeal always to Christ as our savior. As we are watched, help us show the way, through our attitude and actions, for others to better know your righteousness. We commit anew to you. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”
Christmas Gift Recommendation: Why not give a small book in the stocking of that 5th grader you love? “Twenty and Ten” by Claire Huchet Bishop tells the story of ordinary kids, inspired by the Bible’s story of the flight to Egypt, deciding to shelter ten Jewish children from Nazi brutalization.
Sermon Preview: Throughout December I’m preaching a series based on Matthew’s Gospel. Coming next is a dive into chapter 10, where we see Jesus who is himself on mission, giving a mission to his select apostles. You’re invited to come and worship with us.
My dad had a print publication titled Christian Light, which ran for many years with nationwide subscribers. I’m not trying to replicate that. But I am claiming the name as an homage to his ministry and a launchpad for my own writing project.
Why do we need another minister blogging about ministry? I’ll leave that question hanging in the ether and instead of justifying the project, I’ll briefly comment on why I want to do it. I’m doing this for the local church where I serve. My passion is to teach, encourage, and equip them for life in God’s kingdom. I want to cheer them on their journey to spiritual maturity. And I’m also doing this as an outlet for my urge to contribute with words to the cause.
My hope is these simple words will brighten your life by helping you keep reminded of who you are. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16).
Paul Merideth
48th Week of 2023 Reading:PSALM 40:1-3 “I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.”
Prayer to God: “Heavenly Father, bless us to glorify you through all of who we are. Keep us safe. Heal our sick. Mend our wounds. Conform us more and more into the image of Christ. Thank you for all your beautiful gifts into our lives. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”
Christian Light 