Contemplative Bible Reading

Matthew 2:13-14 (New Living Translation)

13 After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother,” the angel said. “Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”

14 That night Joseph left for Egypt with the child and Mary, his mother,

This is part of the (hi)story of the birth and childhood of Jesus. The wise men had visited with their gifts. Most believe that Jesus was about two years old at this time.

An angel comes to Joseph. The angel says to go to Egypt because Herod is going to kill Joseph’s son Jesus.

Well, that sure sounds bad, but Egypt? I mean, Egypt? That place? Things hadn’t been good in Egypt for a long time, and you know, these moves take time and there’s a lot to consider, and …

Joseph took Mary and Jesus and left that night. Such was the faith of Joseph. He could have waited until “things got bad” and when the news reported that Herod was looking for baby boys and when … No. That night.

Hear. Believe. Act. Right now.

Please God, help me in my unbelief. Give me just a small portion of the faith of Joseph.