The Massacre
This is probably one of the most challenging parts of scripture to recreate in any way.
Just as Jesus is pronounced KING by strange men from the far East, the whole family must flee for their lives. As you take in this moment, be also ever grateful for obedient parents. For without Joseph being obedient, and Mary being willing, then the story would end here. But because Joseph and Mary were both obedient to God’s voice, they were able to flee. Man has plans that they think will be good enough to stop God, but when you read all of the Word you find that God has already planned according to man’s plan.
But they were the only ones in Bethlehem and the surrounding towns that were not affected by this massacre.
Matthew 2:16-18 CSB
16 Then Herod, when he saw that he had been outwitted by the wise men, flew into a rage. He gave orders to massacre all the male children in and around Bethlehem who were two years[h] old and under, in keeping with the time he had learned from the wise men. 17 Then what was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled:
18 A voice was heard in Ramah,
weeping,[i] and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children;
and she refused to be consoled,
because they were no more.
This is such a short passage in the Bible and many times it is skipped over. We read it but the severity of it doesn’t really sink in.
In this room it is a somber reminder of all those that had to go through the extreme pain of one night losing their 2 year old or younger son. And not just them being taken. It was Roman soldiers bursting into the home while they slept and a sword thrust through their child. No questions asked. If you got in their way, then you died too.
The cost was so heavy. There was no comfort for any mother that night. If they had a son he was killed that very night. You could imagine the wailing and mourning that was taking place. It could be heard for a great distance. Everyone was awake for the rest of the night. And the next day the reality of how much of a slave you really are in your own country. That not even your family is safe.
Take just a moment to recognize what Jesus was saved from and all that it cost. Be ever grateful for those in your life that are willing to listen to God and do what He is telling them. You may never go through a massacre, but your very life may depend upon not just your obedience, but someone else’s as well.
This is probably one of the most challenging parts of scripture to recreate in any way.
Just as Jesus is pronounced KING by strange men from the far East, the whole family must flee for their lives. As you take in this moment, be also ever grateful for obedient parents. For without Joseph being obedient, and Mary being willing, then the story would end here. But because Joseph and Mary were both obedient to God’s voice, they were able to flee. Man has plans that they think will be good enough to stop God, but when you read all of the Word you find that God has already planned according to man’s plan.
But they were the only ones in Bethlehem and the surrounding towns that were not affected by this massacre.
Matthew 2:16-18 CSB
16 Then Herod, when he saw that he had been outwitted by the wise men, flew into a rage. He gave orders to massacre all the male children in and around Bethlehem who were two years[h] old and under, in keeping with the time he had learned from the wise men. 17 Then what was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled:
18 A voice was heard in Ramah,
weeping,[i] and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children;
and she refused to be consoled,
because they were no more.
This is such a short passage in the Bible and many times it is skipped over. We read it but the severity of it doesn’t really sink in.
In this room it is a somber reminder of all those that had to go through the extreme pain of one night losing their 2 year old or younger son. And not just them being taken. It was Roman soldiers bursting into the home while they slept and a sword thrust through their child. No questions asked. If you got in their way, then you died too.
The cost was so heavy. There was no comfort for any mother that night. If they had a son he was killed that very night. You could imagine the wailing and mourning that was taking place. It could be heard for a great distance. Everyone was awake for the rest of the night. And the next day the reality of how much of a slave you really are in your own country. That not even your family is safe.
Take just a moment to recognize what Jesus was saved from and all that it cost. Be ever grateful for those in your life that are willing to listen to God and do what He is telling them. You may never go through a massacre, but your very life may depend upon not just your obedience, but someone else’s as well.