WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.120
 Good morning, church.

00:00:04.719 --> 00:00:11.980
 Our sermon text is Matthew chapter 2, verses 13 through 23.

00:00:13.019 --> 00:00:17.000
 That's page 758 in the Pew Bible, if you want to turn there with us.

00:00:18.280 --> 00:00:24.339
 We're taking these Sundays leading up to Christmas to follow the story of Jesus' birth from the gospel of Matthew.

00:00:25.039 --> 00:00:29.679
 Last week we saw how the wise men came and worshipped Jesus as their king.

00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:33.719
 And today, we'll see what happens next.

00:00:35.859 --> 00:00:38.340
 Let's pray as we come to God's word together.

00:00:42.620 --> 00:00:50.700
 Oh, Father, we thank you that we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses who have run this race before us.

00:00:50.700 --> 00:01:04.600
 Father, we thank you that your word has spoken to generation after generation after generation of your church.

00:01:04.599 --> 00:01:12.759
 So, Lord, it is with confidence and with expectation that we come again to your word this morning,

00:01:13.259 --> 00:01:16.879
 trusting that you will make good on your promise,

00:01:17.519 --> 00:01:21.340
 that where two or three are gathered, there you are in the midst.

00:01:21.340 --> 00:01:38.200
 Father, that is our desire.

00:01:38.200 --> 00:01:43.980
 Father, we pray that you would meet with us, open our minds and our hearts to understand your word,

00:01:44.480 --> 00:01:52.620
 to repent and believe you and your word, and to go forth today living life shaped by it.

00:01:53.260 --> 00:01:54.760
 In Jesus' name, amen.

00:01:54.760 --> 00:01:59.439
 Matthew chapter 2, verses 13 through 23.

00:01:59.439 --> 00:02:10.659
 Now, when they, that is the wise men, had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said,

00:02:10.780 --> 00:02:14.540
 Rise, take the child and his mother and flee to Egypt,

00:02:14.539 --> 00:02:20.659
 and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child to destroy him.

00:02:21.840 --> 00:02:27.759
 And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt and remained there until the death of Herod.

00:02:28.859 --> 00:02:31.859
 This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet.

00:02:32.819 --> 00:02:34.840
 Out of Egypt, I called my son.

00:02:37.359 --> 00:02:41.459
 Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious,

00:02:41.460 --> 00:02:48.680
 and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under,

00:02:49.420 --> 00:02:52.340
 according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men.

00:02:53.540 --> 00:02:56.980
 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah.

00:02:57.780 --> 00:03:02.219
 A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation.

00:03:03.040 --> 00:03:04.939
 Rachel, weeping for her children.

00:03:05.939 --> 00:03:09.000
 She refused to be comforted because they are no more.

00:03:11.460 --> 00:03:17.200
 But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying,

00:03:17.379 --> 00:03:20.960
 Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel,

00:03:21.300 --> 00:03:23.600
 for those who sought the child's life are dead.

00:03:24.480 --> 00:03:28.760
 And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel.

00:03:29.879 --> 00:03:34.080
 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in the place of his father Herod,

00:03:34.120 --> 00:03:35.300
 he was afraid to go there.

00:03:35.300 --> 00:03:39.520
 And being warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee.

00:03:40.219 --> 00:03:42.620
 And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth,

00:03:42.820 --> 00:03:46.080
 so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled,

00:03:46.820 --> 00:03:49.500
 that he would be called a Nazarene.

00:03:52.080 --> 00:03:57.720
 Well, on the surface, our text today seems to be answering a very straightforward question.

00:03:57.719 --> 00:04:05.259
 The question is this, if God foretold that the Messiah would come from Bethlehem,

00:04:05.680 --> 00:04:10.780
 how can Christians call Jesus the Messiah when he so clearly came from Nazareth?

00:04:13.060 --> 00:04:17.939
 Well, what we see here is that God providentially protected his son Jesus

00:04:17.939 --> 00:04:20.480
 from the hatred and violence of wicked rulers.

00:04:20.480 --> 00:04:24.060
 Though born in Bethlehem, as God foretold,

00:04:24.680 --> 00:04:27.439
 Jesus was forced to be raised in Nazareth.

00:04:27.720 --> 00:04:30.900
 Because of the threat of violence against him as a child.

00:04:33.480 --> 00:04:37.640
 But there's an even deeper question that our text addresses.

00:04:39.880 --> 00:04:42.840
 And it is the question of whether God,

00:04:43.580 --> 00:04:48.640
 the almighty, holy creator of all things,

00:04:48.640 --> 00:04:51.180
 the one true God of the Bible,

00:04:51.380 --> 00:04:56.900
 whether God actually really cares for us.

00:04:57.720 --> 00:05:03.540
 And cares for us not in some distant general way,

00:05:03.900 --> 00:05:08.200
 but whether God actually cares for us in a real intimate way,

00:05:08.580 --> 00:05:11.460
 deep down in the nitty gritty of our broken lives,

00:05:11.740 --> 00:05:13.480
 even down into our suffering,

00:05:13.940 --> 00:05:16.400
 even down into our shame.

00:05:18.780 --> 00:05:21.540
 Does God know what that's like?

00:05:21.540 --> 00:05:27.560
 Does God care for us with real compassion?

00:05:30.840 --> 00:05:34.660
 And the surprising answer of Matthew chapter 2,

00:05:34.820 --> 00:05:36.520
 verses 13 through 23,

00:05:37.220 --> 00:05:38.240
 is yes.

00:05:38.240 --> 00:05:43.780
 In ways even deeper than you or I had ever imagined,

00:05:44.420 --> 00:05:50.379
 our suffering and even our shame are not foreign to God.

00:05:52.879 --> 00:05:56.060
 Look again at our text.

00:05:56.060 --> 00:05:59.019
 First, we see here that Jesus,

00:05:59.259 --> 00:05:59.879
 the Messiah,

00:06:00.680 --> 00:06:01.980
 who we learned in chapter 1,

00:06:02.040 --> 00:06:03.939
 was God with us, incarnate.

00:06:04.860 --> 00:06:06.439
 The first thing we see is that Jesus,

00:06:06.579 --> 00:06:07.079
 the Messiah,

00:06:07.339 --> 00:06:10.319
 enters into our suffering and shame.

00:06:10.660 --> 00:06:12.160
 He enters into it.

00:06:12.620 --> 00:06:13.899
 In verses 13 through 15,

00:06:14.000 --> 00:06:16.199
 we're told that after the wise men depart,

00:06:16.319 --> 00:06:18.459
 an angel of the Lord warns Joseph

00:06:18.459 --> 00:06:20.420
 that King Herod is about to search

00:06:20.420 --> 00:06:22.120
 for the child to destroy him.

00:06:22.120 --> 00:06:24.780
 Herod, history tells us,

00:06:24.800 --> 00:06:25.759
 was a violent man.

00:06:26.480 --> 00:06:29.100
 And the actions here are completely in keeping

00:06:29.100 --> 00:06:30.639
 with what we know of his character.

00:06:31.160 --> 00:06:33.379
 Not willing to have any threats to his power,

00:06:33.680 --> 00:06:36.660
 he seeks to destroy this would-be child king.

00:06:37.160 --> 00:06:40.340
 And so, Joseph takes the child and Mary

00:06:40.340 --> 00:06:41.540
 and they flee to Egypt,

00:06:42.579 --> 00:06:45.319
 a place where Jewish refugees would often go

00:06:45.319 --> 00:06:47.500
 when escaping political turmoil

00:06:47.500 --> 00:06:49.899
 or when avoiding famine or drought.

00:06:52.120 --> 00:06:56.259
 Now, the UN currently has estimated

00:06:56.259 --> 00:06:59.240
 that there are over 70 million people today

00:06:59.240 --> 00:07:02.180
 who are displaced because of persecution,

00:07:02.860 --> 00:07:04.379
 conflict, violence,

00:07:04.899 --> 00:07:06.139
 or human rights violations.

00:07:06.639 --> 00:07:07.519
 70 million.

00:07:09.240 --> 00:07:10.920
 And what we see here is that

00:07:10.920 --> 00:07:13.579
 the earliest years of Jesus' life

00:07:13.579 --> 00:07:16.959
 were spent in the shoes of the displaced.

00:07:16.959 --> 00:07:20.899
 Our Savior came to earth

00:07:20.899 --> 00:07:24.079
 and lived as a political refugee,

00:07:25.060 --> 00:07:27.039
 seeking asylum and protection

00:07:27.039 --> 00:07:28.620
 in a foreign land.

00:07:31.319 --> 00:07:34.139
 Now, it's likely that Joseph found fellow Jews

00:07:34.139 --> 00:07:35.079
 to live with in Egypt.

00:07:35.219 --> 00:07:37.279
 There was a sizable Jewish community there.

00:07:38.539 --> 00:07:40.539
 But the fact still remains.

00:07:41.539 --> 00:07:45.699
 Our Lord entered into human suffering.

00:07:46.959 --> 00:07:49.379
 On the flight to Egypt, there was fear.

00:07:51.259 --> 00:07:52.560
 There was escape.

00:07:52.739 --> 00:07:53.779
 There was a long journey.

00:07:54.539 --> 00:07:55.859
 And there was the uncertainty

00:07:55.859 --> 00:07:58.319
 of not knowing what or who they would find.

00:08:01.479 --> 00:08:04.120
 Many people come here to New Haven

00:08:04.120 --> 00:08:05.939
 having been displaced.

00:08:07.120 --> 00:08:09.199
 Many of you know about the work of IRIS,

00:08:09.599 --> 00:08:11.759
 Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services.

00:08:11.759 --> 00:08:14.519
 They help people every year

00:08:14.519 --> 00:08:17.800
 from Sudan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria,

00:08:18.039 --> 00:08:19.300
 helping them to get the support

00:08:19.300 --> 00:08:20.740
 and services they need

00:08:20.740 --> 00:08:22.300
 to become self-sufficient

00:08:22.300 --> 00:08:24.699
 and resettled here in their new home.

00:08:27.339 --> 00:08:29.360
 I wonder, has it ever struck you

00:08:29.360 --> 00:08:31.860
 that when you learn the stories

00:08:31.860 --> 00:08:33.000
 of these families,

00:08:33.179 --> 00:08:35.240
 when you serve families like these,

00:08:35.240 --> 00:08:37.740
 you are catching a glimpse

00:08:37.740 --> 00:08:42.259
 of your Savior's earliest experiences on earth?

00:08:47.639 --> 00:08:49.220
 But the truth that's here

00:08:49.220 --> 00:08:51.000
 in this part of Matthew 2

00:08:51.000 --> 00:08:52.279
 applies to all of us,

00:08:52.340 --> 00:08:53.600
 not just to those of us

00:08:53.600 --> 00:08:54.680
 who've been displaced.

00:08:56.060 --> 00:08:57.779
 We all face many trials,

00:08:58.180 --> 00:08:59.659
 many unforeseen sorrows.

00:08:59.659 --> 00:09:03.000
 I wonder what part of your life

00:09:03.000 --> 00:09:04.219
 are you tempted to think

00:09:04.219 --> 00:09:08.279
 that God just doesn't seem to understand?

00:09:09.699 --> 00:09:13.480
 Where does his knowing care seem absent?

00:09:15.360 --> 00:09:16.939
 Conflict with family members?

00:09:18.339 --> 00:09:20.559
 The experience of poverty or homelessness?

00:09:20.939 --> 00:09:22.519
 Sadness at the loss of a friend?

00:09:22.699 --> 00:09:23.279
 Betrayal?

00:09:23.639 --> 00:09:24.220
 Fatigue?

00:09:24.220 --> 00:09:29.580
 But then we come to the Gospels

00:09:29.580 --> 00:09:31.820
 and we read them for ourselves.

00:09:33.019 --> 00:09:34.259
 And there we find that

00:09:34.259 --> 00:09:35.800
 not just in Jesus' birth,

00:09:36.399 --> 00:09:37.779
 but throughout his life,

00:09:38.540 --> 00:09:40.600
 Jesus entered into our suffering

00:09:40.600 --> 00:09:41.680
 and our shame.

00:09:42.680 --> 00:09:45.960
 He identified fully with his people.

00:09:47.259 --> 00:09:49.060
 His people went down to Egypt,

00:09:49.240 --> 00:09:49.940
 so did he.

00:09:51.120 --> 00:09:53.779
 His people experienced fierce temptation

00:09:53.779 --> 00:09:54.539
 in the wilderness,

00:09:54.899 --> 00:09:56.059
 so did he.

00:09:56.699 --> 00:09:58.039
 His people were oppressed

00:09:58.039 --> 00:09:58.799
 and persecuted

00:09:58.799 --> 00:10:00.459
 by the world powers that be,

00:10:00.620 --> 00:10:01.879
 so was he.

00:10:04.539 --> 00:10:06.399
 This identification with his people

00:10:06.399 --> 00:10:07.639
 was so complete

00:10:07.639 --> 00:10:09.319
 that in verse 15,

00:10:10.159 --> 00:10:10.860
 Matthew quotes

00:10:10.860 --> 00:10:12.959
 the Old Testament prophet Hosea,

00:10:13.039 --> 00:10:14.179
 chapter 11, verse 1.

00:10:14.319 --> 00:10:16.279
 And there Hosea is retelling

00:10:16.279 --> 00:10:18.299
 the story of Israel's sojourn

00:10:18.299 --> 00:10:19.279
 in Exodus from Egypt.

00:10:19.860 --> 00:10:21.000
 And Israel in the Old Testament

00:10:21.000 --> 00:10:23.139
 is often metaphorically called God's son.

00:10:23.139 --> 00:10:24.100
 And here Hosea says,

00:10:24.340 --> 00:10:25.919
 God brought them out of Egypt

00:10:25.919 --> 00:10:26.679
 in the Exodus.

00:10:27.399 --> 00:10:28.740
 And now Jesus,

00:10:28.939 --> 00:10:29.939
 Israel's Messiah,

00:10:30.240 --> 00:10:31.559
 God's true son,

00:10:31.960 --> 00:10:33.620
 so deeply represents

00:10:33.620 --> 00:10:35.399
 and identifies with his people

00:10:35.399 --> 00:10:38.939
 that he can now fulfill

00:10:38.939 --> 00:10:40.360
 that text,

00:10:40.519 --> 00:10:42.879
 going down into Egypt himself

00:10:42.879 --> 00:10:45.080
 and coming back again.

00:10:45.080 --> 00:10:51.300
 I wonder when you are hurting,

00:10:51.759 --> 00:10:53.480
 when you are sorrowful,

00:10:54.000 --> 00:10:55.120
 yes, there are times

00:10:55.120 --> 00:10:55.860
 when you call out

00:10:55.860 --> 00:10:57.480
 for answers to the question why,

00:10:57.860 --> 00:10:58.860
 but deep down,

00:10:59.180 --> 00:11:01.020
 isn't what your heart longs for,

00:11:01.080 --> 00:11:02.680
 isn't what we really want,

00:11:03.080 --> 00:11:04.220
 is for someone

00:11:04.220 --> 00:11:07.500
 to be present with us,

00:11:08.100 --> 00:11:11.020
 to walk with us

00:11:11.020 --> 00:11:12.140
 through the valley,

00:11:12.139 --> 00:11:14.799
 to know that we are not alone,

00:11:14.799 --> 00:11:16.639
 to know that perhaps

00:11:16.639 --> 00:11:18.399
 in our own Egypts,

00:11:18.399 --> 00:11:20.299
 when we are running

00:11:20.299 --> 00:11:21.500
 and when we are afraid,

00:11:21.659 --> 00:11:24.419
 someone might be there with us.

00:11:26.179 --> 00:11:27.220
 Be with us

00:11:27.220 --> 00:11:28.960
 and sit by our hospital bed

00:11:28.960 --> 00:11:30.059
 as we battle illness

00:11:30.059 --> 00:11:31.519
 or give us a shoulder

00:11:31.519 --> 00:11:32.340
 to lean on

00:11:32.340 --> 00:11:33.699
 as we miss our loved ones

00:11:33.699 --> 00:11:35.259
 or to hold our hand

00:11:35.259 --> 00:11:36.340
 when we are afraid.

00:11:36.340 --> 00:11:40.639
 This is what Matthew

00:11:40.639 --> 00:11:41.879
 is showing us here, friends.

00:11:42.940 --> 00:11:43.560
 God,

00:11:44.360 --> 00:11:45.960
 incarnate in his son Jesus,

00:11:46.620 --> 00:11:47.820
 is present with us

00:11:47.820 --> 00:11:49.620
 even in suffering,

00:11:50.120 --> 00:11:51.360
 even in shame.

00:11:53.759 --> 00:11:56.360
 And this should open up for us

00:11:56.360 --> 00:11:59.019
 great permission

00:11:59.019 --> 00:12:00.660
 and invitation

00:12:00.660 --> 00:12:02.280
 in our prayer

00:12:02.280 --> 00:12:04.100
 and our communion with God

00:12:04.100 --> 00:12:06.300
 to go to him

00:12:06.300 --> 00:12:07.200
 corporately

00:12:07.200 --> 00:12:08.259
 and personally

00:12:08.259 --> 00:12:09.440
 in our sorrows,

00:12:09.600 --> 00:12:11.759
 knowing that he cares

00:12:11.759 --> 00:12:13.360
 and that he knows.

00:12:18.560 --> 00:12:19.659
 There's an old song

00:12:19.659 --> 00:12:20.860
 that we don't sing a lot

00:12:20.860 --> 00:12:21.440
 here at Trinity,

00:12:21.960 --> 00:12:24.320
 but I think it captures this well.

00:12:24.399 --> 00:12:24.680
 It says,

00:12:24.940 --> 00:12:25.620
 what a friend

00:12:25.620 --> 00:12:27.360
 we have in Jesus,

00:12:27.820 --> 00:12:29.259
 all our sins

00:12:29.259 --> 00:12:30.340
 and griefs to bear.

00:12:30.480 --> 00:12:31.240
 What a privilege

00:12:31.240 --> 00:12:32.040
 to carry

00:12:32.039 --> 00:12:33.639
 everything to God

00:12:33.639 --> 00:12:34.159
 in prayer.

00:12:35.240 --> 00:12:36.319
 Oh, what peace

00:12:36.319 --> 00:12:37.500
 we often forfeit.

00:12:38.259 --> 00:12:39.959
 Oh, what needless pain

00:12:39.959 --> 00:12:40.599
 we bear,

00:12:40.719 --> 00:12:41.599
 all because

00:12:41.599 --> 00:12:42.899
 we do not carry

00:12:42.899 --> 00:12:44.240
 everything to God

00:12:44.240 --> 00:12:44.740
 in prayer.

00:12:45.939 --> 00:12:46.959
 Have we trials

00:12:46.959 --> 00:12:47.759
 and temptations?

00:12:48.459 --> 00:12:49.519
 Is there trouble anywhere?

00:12:50.759 --> 00:12:51.240
 We should never

00:12:51.240 --> 00:12:52.019
 be discouraged.

00:12:53.079 --> 00:12:54.120
 Take it to the Lord

00:12:54.120 --> 00:12:54.679
 in prayer.

00:12:55.759 --> 00:12:56.500
 Can we find

00:12:56.500 --> 00:12:57.019
 a friend

00:12:57.019 --> 00:12:57.779
 so faithful

00:12:57.779 --> 00:12:58.799
 who will all

00:12:58.799 --> 00:13:00.199
 our sorrows share?

00:13:00.200 --> 00:13:01.640
 Jesus knows

00:13:01.640 --> 00:13:03.540
 our every weakness.

00:13:04.540 --> 00:13:04.980
 Take it

00:13:04.980 --> 00:13:05.660
 to the Lord

00:13:05.660 --> 00:13:06.300
 in prayer.

00:13:07.700 --> 00:13:08.780
 Are we weak

00:13:08.780 --> 00:13:10.460
 and heavy laden,

00:13:11.740 --> 00:13:12.379
 encumbered

00:13:12.379 --> 00:13:13.000
 with a load

00:13:13.000 --> 00:13:13.620
 of care?

00:13:14.240 --> 00:13:15.180
 Precious Savior,

00:13:15.400 --> 00:13:16.660
 still our refuge.

00:13:16.800 --> 00:13:17.180
 Take it

00:13:17.180 --> 00:13:17.640
 to the Lord

00:13:17.640 --> 00:13:18.120
 in prayer.

00:13:19.400 --> 00:13:20.540
 Do your friends

00:13:20.540 --> 00:13:21.600
 despise,

00:13:22.000 --> 00:13:22.879
 forsake you?

00:13:24.320 --> 00:13:24.980
 Take it

00:13:24.980 --> 00:13:25.360
 to the Lord

00:13:25.360 --> 00:13:25.840
 in prayer.

00:13:27.060 --> 00:13:27.840
 In his arms,

00:13:27.980 --> 00:13:28.580
 he'll take

00:13:28.580 --> 00:13:29.900
 and shield you.

00:13:30.900 --> 00:13:31.940
 You will find

00:13:31.940 --> 00:13:33.520
 a solace there.

00:13:35.840 --> 00:13:37.080
 Jesus has entered

00:13:37.080 --> 00:13:38.560
 into our suffering

00:13:38.560 --> 00:13:39.360
 and our shame

00:13:39.360 --> 00:13:40.520
 that we might find

00:13:40.520 --> 00:13:41.820
 a solace

00:13:41.820 --> 00:13:42.700
 in him.

00:13:44.980 --> 00:13:45.540
 Christian,

00:13:45.700 --> 00:13:46.420
 take advantage

00:13:46.420 --> 00:13:47.379
 of that solace.

00:13:47.540 --> 00:13:48.259
 Go to him

00:13:48.259 --> 00:13:49.360
 in prayer.

00:13:52.440 --> 00:13:53.500
 But there's more.

00:13:53.500 --> 00:13:55.940
 Jesus hasn't

00:13:55.940 --> 00:13:56.659
 just entered

00:13:56.659 --> 00:13:58.419
 into our suffering

00:13:58.419 --> 00:13:58.919
 and shame.

00:13:59.539 --> 00:14:00.299
 The second thing

00:14:00.299 --> 00:14:00.820
 we see here

00:14:00.820 --> 00:14:01.500
 in Matthew 2

00:14:01.500 --> 00:14:02.539
 is that he will

00:14:02.539 --> 00:14:03.440
 also one day

00:14:03.440 --> 00:14:04.600
 put an end

00:14:04.600 --> 00:14:05.559
 to our suffering

00:14:05.559 --> 00:14:06.100
 and shame.

00:14:07.139 --> 00:14:08.200
 In Matthew 16

00:14:08.200 --> 00:14:08.840
 through 18,

00:14:09.759 --> 00:14:10.580
 we have here

00:14:10.580 --> 00:14:11.360
 recounted

00:14:11.360 --> 00:14:12.639
 perhaps the darkest

00:14:12.639 --> 00:14:13.620
 moment

00:14:13.620 --> 00:14:15.039
 in the Christmas story.

00:14:16.419 --> 00:14:16.779
 Herod

00:14:16.779 --> 00:14:18.059
 infuriated

00:14:18.059 --> 00:14:18.919
 that the wise men

00:14:18.919 --> 00:14:20.139
 refused to go back

00:14:20.139 --> 00:14:20.679
 and tell him

00:14:20.679 --> 00:14:21.120
 where he might

00:14:21.120 --> 00:14:21.879
 find the child

00:14:21.879 --> 00:14:22.860
 lashes out

00:14:22.860 --> 00:14:23.620
 in rage.

00:14:24.320 --> 00:14:24.899
 Not willing

00:14:24.899 --> 00:14:25.360
 to risk

00:14:25.360 --> 00:14:26.080
 any threat

00:14:26.080 --> 00:14:26.759
 to his power,

00:14:26.899 --> 00:14:27.379
 he orders

00:14:27.379 --> 00:14:27.860
 the death

00:14:27.860 --> 00:14:28.980
 of every male

00:14:28.980 --> 00:14:30.259
 child two years

00:14:30.259 --> 00:14:31.059
 old and younger

00:14:31.059 --> 00:14:31.840
 in Bethlehem

00:14:31.840 --> 00:14:32.460
 and the surrounding

00:14:32.460 --> 00:14:32.939
 region.

00:14:35.240 --> 00:14:35.779
 Now,

00:14:35.820 --> 00:14:36.439
 it's hard to estimate

00:14:36.439 --> 00:14:37.240
 how many children

00:14:37.240 --> 00:14:38.120
 died in Bethlehem

00:14:38.120 --> 00:14:38.700
 at the hands

00:14:38.700 --> 00:14:39.580
 of this wicked ruler

00:14:39.580 --> 00:14:40.480
 on that night.

00:14:41.679 --> 00:14:42.379
 Some speculate

00:14:42.379 --> 00:14:43.019
 that it could have

00:14:43.019 --> 00:14:43.500
 been a dozen

00:14:43.500 --> 00:14:44.039
 or more

00:14:44.039 --> 00:14:45.019
 given estimates

00:14:45.019 --> 00:14:45.820
 of the population

00:14:45.820 --> 00:14:46.620
 in first century

00:14:46.620 --> 00:14:47.240
 Bethlehem.

00:14:47.240 --> 00:14:50.460
 But what sense

00:14:50.460 --> 00:14:51.580
 are we supposed

00:14:51.580 --> 00:14:52.320
 to make

00:14:52.320 --> 00:14:53.779
 of this account?

00:14:57.700 --> 00:14:58.840
 Psalm 2 says,

00:14:59.060 --> 00:15:00.500
 why do the nations

00:15:00.500 --> 00:15:01.419
 rage

00:15:01.419 --> 00:15:02.399
 and the peoples

00:15:02.399 --> 00:15:03.799
 plot in vain

00:15:03.799 --> 00:15:05.120
 against the Lord

00:15:05.120 --> 00:15:06.279
 and against

00:15:06.279 --> 00:15:06.899
 his anointed?

00:15:09.560 --> 00:15:10.360
 The Bible

00:15:10.360 --> 00:15:11.000
 is honest

00:15:11.000 --> 00:15:11.639
 with the fact

00:15:11.639 --> 00:15:12.360
 that there is

00:15:12.360 --> 00:15:12.899
 evil

00:15:12.899 --> 00:15:14.019
 in the world

00:15:14.019 --> 00:15:15.379
 and that

00:15:15.379 --> 00:15:16.279
 in this fallen

00:15:16.279 --> 00:15:16.740
 world

00:15:16.740 --> 00:15:17.340
 there will be

00:15:17.340 --> 00:15:17.779
 violence

00:15:17.779 --> 00:15:18.600
 and injustice

00:15:18.600 --> 00:15:19.840
 and the church

00:15:19.840 --> 00:15:20.899
 will often

00:15:20.899 --> 00:15:21.579
 be subject

00:15:21.579 --> 00:15:23.059
 to that violence

00:15:23.059 --> 00:15:23.779
 and injustice.

00:15:25.199 --> 00:15:26.299
 The book of Acts

00:15:26.299 --> 00:15:27.240
 shows us time

00:15:27.240 --> 00:15:27.720
 and again

00:15:27.720 --> 00:15:28.539
 how the church

00:15:28.539 --> 00:15:29.740
 faces persecution

00:15:29.740 --> 00:15:31.279
 and even martyrdom

00:15:31.279 --> 00:15:32.199
 for Christ's sake.

00:15:33.220 --> 00:15:34.120
 The last book

00:15:34.120 --> 00:15:34.559
 of the Bible,

00:15:34.679 --> 00:15:35.079
 Revelation,

00:15:35.240 --> 00:15:35.679
 was written

00:15:35.679 --> 00:15:36.559
 to the persecuted

00:15:36.559 --> 00:15:37.379
 churches at the end

00:15:37.379 --> 00:15:38.240
 of the first century

00:15:38.240 --> 00:15:39.539
 to remind them

00:15:39.539 --> 00:15:40.659
 that the powers

00:15:40.659 --> 00:15:41.360
 of this world

00:15:41.360 --> 00:15:42.259
 will revolt

00:15:42.259 --> 00:15:43.079
 against the growth

00:15:43.079 --> 00:15:43.720
 of the gospel

00:15:43.720 --> 00:15:45.700
 the history

00:15:45.700 --> 00:15:46.259
 of the church

00:15:46.259 --> 00:15:47.120
 shows the same

00:15:47.120 --> 00:15:47.639
 whether it be

00:15:47.639 --> 00:15:48.420
 the martyrs

00:15:48.420 --> 00:15:49.300
 of the first,

00:15:49.500 --> 00:15:49.740
 second,

00:15:49.860 --> 00:15:50.639
 and third centuries

00:15:50.639 --> 00:15:51.980
 or the martyrs

00:15:51.980 --> 00:15:52.540
 of the 20

00:15:52.540 --> 00:15:54.040
 and 21st centuries.

00:15:58.139 --> 00:15:59.120
 Let us not be

00:15:59.120 --> 00:16:00.100
 ignorant of the fact

00:16:00.100 --> 00:16:01.540
 that identification

00:16:01.540 --> 00:16:03.019
 with Christ

00:16:03.019 --> 00:16:05.460
 like these first

00:16:05.460 --> 00:16:06.160
 martyrs

00:16:06.160 --> 00:16:07.060
 in Bethlehem

00:16:07.060 --> 00:16:08.720
 will often bring

00:16:08.720 --> 00:16:09.340
 the hatred

00:16:09.340 --> 00:16:10.720
 of the world

00:16:10.720 --> 00:16:11.860
 and its rulers.

00:16:13.720 --> 00:16:18.700
 And yet this hatred

00:16:18.700 --> 00:16:20.080
 is not the last word.

00:16:22.700 --> 00:16:23.800
 Matthew quotes

00:16:23.800 --> 00:16:25.200
 the prophet Jeremiah,

00:16:26.200 --> 00:16:28.019
 Rachel weeping

00:16:28.019 --> 00:16:29.360
 for her children.

00:16:31.440 --> 00:16:32.700
 And while this text

00:16:32.700 --> 00:16:34.019
 from Jeremiah 31

00:16:34.019 --> 00:16:35.980
 written in the heartbreak

00:16:35.980 --> 00:16:37.620
 of the Babylonian exile,

00:16:38.840 --> 00:16:39.639
 while it seems

00:16:39.639 --> 00:16:40.800
 simply to give voice

00:16:40.800 --> 00:16:41.700
 to the tears

00:16:41.700 --> 00:16:42.660
 of God's people

00:16:42.660 --> 00:16:43.980
 throughout the centuries,

00:16:43.980 --> 00:16:45.480
 it does that

00:16:45.480 --> 00:16:46.340
 but there's more.

00:16:48.379 --> 00:16:49.600
 Because if we go back

00:16:49.600 --> 00:16:50.220
 and we read

00:16:50.220 --> 00:16:51.160
 Jeremiah 13,

00:16:51.500 --> 00:16:52.600
 there's also

00:16:52.600 --> 00:16:53.660
 a message of hope.

00:16:56.960 --> 00:16:57.759
 The verses

00:16:57.759 --> 00:16:58.960
 surrounding the one

00:16:58.960 --> 00:17:00.379
 that Matthew quotes here

00:17:00.379 --> 00:17:01.420
 in this chapter

00:17:01.420 --> 00:17:02.360
 of Jeremiah 31

00:17:02.360 --> 00:17:03.740
 tell of how God

00:17:03.740 --> 00:17:04.519
 would bring

00:17:04.519 --> 00:17:05.380
 his people home

00:17:05.380 --> 00:17:06.039
 from exile

00:17:06.039 --> 00:17:07.620
 and how he would

00:17:07.620 --> 00:17:08.500
 make a new covenant

00:17:08.500 --> 00:17:10.019
 and cover all

00:17:10.019 --> 00:17:10.700
 their sins

00:17:10.700 --> 00:17:11.480
 in forgiveness.

00:17:14.799 --> 00:17:15.640
 What Matthew

00:17:15.640 --> 00:17:16.640
 seems to be saying

00:17:16.640 --> 00:17:16.940
 then

00:17:16.940 --> 00:17:19.099
 is that the tears

00:17:19.099 --> 00:17:20.339
 of the mothers

00:17:20.339 --> 00:17:21.319
 and fathers

00:17:21.319 --> 00:17:22.400
 in Bethlehem

00:17:22.400 --> 00:17:24.240
 are the tears

00:17:24.240 --> 00:17:25.099
 of exile.

00:17:28.380 --> 00:17:29.900
 The final tears

00:17:29.900 --> 00:17:32.079
 before

00:17:32.079 --> 00:17:33.240
 the Messiah

00:17:33.240 --> 00:17:33.819
 would come

00:17:33.819 --> 00:17:34.519
 and make for us

00:17:34.519 --> 00:17:35.119
 a new covenant

00:17:35.119 --> 00:17:36.740
 and bring us home.

00:17:38.500 --> 00:17:41.660
 And Jesus

00:17:41.660 --> 00:17:42.579
 did just that.

00:17:44.339 --> 00:17:45.180
 You see,

00:17:45.900 --> 00:17:46.859
 the death of Jesus

00:17:46.859 --> 00:17:47.880
 wasn't completely

00:17:47.880 --> 00:17:48.440
 avoided

00:17:48.440 --> 00:17:49.799
 in Matthew 2.

00:17:51.460 --> 00:17:52.720
 It was simply

00:17:52.720 --> 00:17:53.400
 postponed.

00:17:55.059 --> 00:17:56.180
 At the still

00:17:56.180 --> 00:17:57.079
 young age

00:17:57.079 --> 00:17:58.000
 of 33,

00:17:59.180 --> 00:17:59.880
 Jesus would be

00:17:59.880 --> 00:18:00.700
 killed at the hands

00:18:00.700 --> 00:18:01.140
 of jealous

00:18:01.140 --> 00:18:01.660
 political

00:18:01.660 --> 00:18:02.180
 and religious

00:18:02.180 --> 00:18:02.759
 authorities.

00:18:02.759 --> 00:18:06.400
 the full

00:18:06.400 --> 00:18:07.480
 rage

00:18:07.480 --> 00:18:08.500
 of the world

00:18:08.500 --> 00:18:09.460
 against

00:18:09.460 --> 00:18:10.299
 the Lord

00:18:10.299 --> 00:18:11.099
 and his anointed

00:18:11.099 --> 00:18:11.940
 would come

00:18:11.940 --> 00:18:13.460
 thrashing down

00:18:13.460 --> 00:18:14.680
 on Jesus.

00:18:17.960 --> 00:18:19.319
 But his death

00:18:19.319 --> 00:18:20.099
 would not

00:18:20.099 --> 00:18:21.119
 be that

00:18:21.119 --> 00:18:22.019
 of a mere

00:18:22.019 --> 00:18:22.720
 martyr

00:18:22.720 --> 00:18:24.039
 dying for

00:18:24.039 --> 00:18:24.920
 a good cause.

00:18:27.160 --> 00:18:28.000
 No,

00:18:28.039 --> 00:18:28.379
 the death

00:18:28.379 --> 00:18:28.799
 of Jesus

00:18:28.799 --> 00:18:29.539
 would be utterly

00:18:29.539 --> 00:18:30.319
 and completely

00:18:30.319 --> 00:18:30.980
 unique.

00:18:30.980 --> 00:18:33.319
 his death

00:18:33.319 --> 00:18:33.819
 would be the

00:18:33.819 --> 00:18:34.299
 one

00:18:34.299 --> 00:18:35.460
 true

00:18:35.460 --> 00:18:36.480
 sacrifice

00:18:36.480 --> 00:18:37.380
 of atonement

00:18:37.380 --> 00:18:38.220
 for the sins

00:18:38.220 --> 00:18:38.920
 of the world.

00:18:41.279 --> 00:18:42.539
 Being truly

00:18:42.539 --> 00:18:43.579
 human,

00:18:43.799 --> 00:18:44.420
 Jesus could

00:18:44.420 --> 00:18:45.140
 take our

00:18:45.140 --> 00:18:45.720
 place.

00:18:47.200 --> 00:18:47.900
 Being truly

00:18:47.900 --> 00:18:48.599
 God,

00:18:48.759 --> 00:18:49.259
 Jesus could

00:18:49.259 --> 00:18:50.460
 pay the penalty

00:18:50.460 --> 00:18:51.319
 of our sin

00:18:51.319 --> 00:18:52.380
 in full.

00:18:53.420 --> 00:18:54.200
 Such that

00:18:54.200 --> 00:18:54.799
 when all of

00:18:54.799 --> 00:18:55.539
 our anger

00:18:55.539 --> 00:18:56.440
 and hatred

00:18:56.440 --> 00:18:57.339
 and jealousy

00:18:57.339 --> 00:18:58.819
 came crashing

00:18:58.819 --> 00:19:00.019
 down on Jesus

00:19:00.019 --> 00:19:00.859
 at the cross,

00:19:01.240 --> 00:19:01.779
 Christ was

00:19:01.779 --> 00:19:02.240
 able to

00:19:02.240 --> 00:19:03.440
 swallow up

00:19:03.440 --> 00:19:04.319
 that in

00:19:04.319 --> 00:19:04.900
 himself

00:19:04.900 --> 00:19:06.720
 and extinguish

00:19:06.720 --> 00:19:07.039
 it.

00:19:07.720 --> 00:19:08.460
 But more

00:19:08.460 --> 00:19:08.980
 than that,

00:19:09.259 --> 00:19:09.900
 it was the

00:19:09.900 --> 00:19:10.639
 wrath of God

00:19:10.639 --> 00:19:11.400
 against sin

00:19:11.400 --> 00:19:11.759
 that could

00:19:11.759 --> 00:19:12.279
 come down

00:19:12.279 --> 00:19:12.759
 on him

00:19:12.759 --> 00:19:13.639
 in our

00:19:13.639 --> 00:19:14.279
 place

00:19:14.279 --> 00:19:16.879
 so that

00:19:16.879 --> 00:19:17.220
 we could

00:19:17.220 --> 00:19:17.839
 be forgiven.

00:19:19.920 --> 00:19:20.599
 And to

00:19:20.599 --> 00:19:21.000
 demonstrate

00:19:21.000 --> 00:19:21.480
 that this

00:19:21.480 --> 00:19:22.180
 sacrifice was

00:19:22.180 --> 00:19:22.660
 acceptable,

00:19:22.819 --> 00:19:23.240
 Jesus was

00:19:23.240 --> 00:19:23.960
 raised on the

00:19:23.960 --> 00:19:24.539
 third day,

00:19:25.200 --> 00:19:25.740
 breaking the

00:19:25.740 --> 00:19:26.240
 power of

00:19:26.240 --> 00:19:26.980
 death and

00:19:26.980 --> 00:19:27.299
 offering

00:19:27.299 --> 00:19:27.819
 forgiveness

00:19:27.819 --> 00:19:28.500
 and new

00:19:28.500 --> 00:19:29.240
 life to

00:19:29.240 --> 00:19:29.799
 all who

00:19:29.799 --> 00:19:30.319
 trust in

00:19:30.319 --> 00:19:30.579
 him,

00:19:30.859 --> 00:19:31.879
 that finally

00:19:31.879 --> 00:19:32.679
 the last

00:19:32.679 --> 00:19:33.259
 tears of

00:19:33.259 --> 00:19:33.980
 exile could

00:19:33.980 --> 00:19:34.839
 be shed

00:19:34.839 --> 00:19:35.500
 at the

00:19:35.500 --> 00:19:36.559
 cross and

00:19:36.559 --> 00:19:37.200
 the exile

00:19:37.200 --> 00:19:38.099
 could end.

00:19:39.779 --> 00:19:40.399
 And with

00:19:40.399 --> 00:19:40.759
 his death

00:19:40.759 --> 00:19:41.460
 and resurrection

00:19:41.460 --> 00:19:43.679
 comes the

00:19:43.679 --> 00:19:44.139
 promise

00:19:44.139 --> 00:19:46.579
 that though

00:19:46.579 --> 00:19:47.200
 tears will

00:19:47.200 --> 00:19:47.779
 come in

00:19:47.779 --> 00:19:48.319
 this age,

00:19:48.419 --> 00:19:48.759
 one day

00:19:48.759 --> 00:19:49.399
 all tears

00:19:49.399 --> 00:19:49.720
 will be

00:19:49.720 --> 00:19:50.240
 wiped away

00:19:50.240 --> 00:19:50.819
 for good.

00:19:53.700 --> 00:19:54.299
 You see,

00:19:54.379 --> 00:19:54.759
 God doesn't

00:19:54.759 --> 00:19:55.539
 just know

00:19:55.539 --> 00:19:56.200
 our suffering

00:19:56.200 --> 00:19:56.660
 and shame.

00:19:56.759 --> 00:19:57.160
 He's done

00:19:57.160 --> 00:19:57.900
 something about

00:19:57.900 --> 00:19:58.100
 it.

00:19:58.519 --> 00:19:58.980
 He's put

00:19:58.980 --> 00:19:59.620
 in motion

00:19:59.620 --> 00:20:00.400
 a plan

00:20:00.400 --> 00:20:01.200
 accomplished

00:20:01.200 --> 00:20:01.920
 through his

00:20:01.920 --> 00:20:02.680
 son that

00:20:02.680 --> 00:20:03.279
 will gather

00:20:03.279 --> 00:20:03.920
 up our

00:20:03.920 --> 00:20:05.019
 broken humanity

00:20:05.019 --> 00:20:06.140
 and raise

00:20:06.140 --> 00:20:07.059
 it to new

00:20:07.059 --> 00:20:08.240
 everlasting life

00:20:08.240 --> 00:20:08.759
 where death

00:20:08.759 --> 00:20:09.340
 and sorrow

00:20:09.340 --> 00:20:10.019
 are no

00:20:10.019 --> 00:20:10.840
 more.

00:20:11.220 --> 00:20:11.700
 When Christ

00:20:11.700 --> 00:20:12.819
 returns in

00:20:12.819 --> 00:20:13.319
 glory,

00:20:13.779 --> 00:20:14.220
 death will

00:20:14.220 --> 00:20:14.980
 be destroyed,

00:20:15.380 --> 00:20:15.880
 injustice

00:20:15.880 --> 00:20:16.319
 will be

00:20:16.319 --> 00:20:16.660
 ended,

00:20:17.059 --> 00:20:17.700
 and creation

00:20:17.700 --> 00:20:18.120
 will be

00:20:18.120 --> 00:20:19.200
 released from

00:20:19.200 --> 00:20:20.019
 its bondage

00:20:20.019 --> 00:20:20.720
 to decay

00:20:20.720 --> 00:20:22.059
 because Christ

00:20:22.059 --> 00:20:22.440
 has gone

00:20:22.440 --> 00:20:23.680
 down into

00:20:23.680 --> 00:20:24.539
 the tears

00:20:24.539 --> 00:20:25.460
 of Rachel

00:20:25.460 --> 00:20:26.000
 weeping

00:20:26.000 --> 00:20:26.420
 for her

00:20:26.420 --> 00:20:26.960
 children.

00:20:26.960 --> 00:20:27.579
 He can

00:20:27.579 --> 00:20:28.220
 come up

00:20:28.220 --> 00:20:28.859
 again

00:20:28.859 --> 00:20:30.099
 and bring

00:20:30.099 --> 00:20:31.039
 life.

00:20:34.960 --> 00:20:35.680
 Now,

00:20:35.759 --> 00:20:36.200
 that doesn't

00:20:36.200 --> 00:20:36.619
 mean,

00:20:37.299 --> 00:20:37.639
 church,

00:20:38.339 --> 00:20:39.859
 that we

00:20:39.859 --> 00:20:40.359
 should not

00:20:40.359 --> 00:20:40.980
 weep now.

00:20:43.659 --> 00:20:44.779
 Most definitely

00:20:44.779 --> 00:20:45.440
 we should.

00:20:45.559 --> 00:20:45.839
 There will

00:20:45.839 --> 00:20:46.399
 still be

00:20:46.399 --> 00:20:47.000
 occasions

00:20:47.000 --> 00:20:48.559
 that are

00:20:48.559 --> 00:20:49.399
 right for

00:20:49.399 --> 00:20:50.220
 tears and

00:20:50.220 --> 00:20:50.619
 weeping

00:20:50.619 --> 00:20:51.220
 in this

00:20:51.220 --> 00:20:51.599
 age.

00:20:51.599 --> 00:20:53.719
 the remnants

00:20:53.719 --> 00:20:54.159
 of death

00:20:54.159 --> 00:20:54.619
 and sin

00:20:54.619 --> 00:20:55.659
 still abound.

00:20:56.439 --> 00:20:57.000
 Rachel is

00:20:57.000 --> 00:20:57.639
 still weeping

00:20:57.639 --> 00:20:58.039
 for her

00:20:58.039 --> 00:20:58.439
 children.

00:21:00.980 --> 00:21:01.599
 But as

00:21:01.599 --> 00:21:02.299
 Paul says

00:21:02.299 --> 00:21:03.679
 in 1 Thessalonians,

00:21:04.000 --> 00:21:05.480
 we do not

00:21:05.480 --> 00:21:06.339
 weep as

00:21:06.339 --> 00:21:06.899
 those who

00:21:06.899 --> 00:21:07.359
 have no

00:21:07.359 --> 00:21:07.740
 hope.

00:21:10.959 --> 00:21:11.639
 I wonder,

00:21:11.799 --> 00:21:11.899
 friend,

00:21:11.959 --> 00:21:12.319
 do you have

00:21:12.319 --> 00:21:12.740
 that kind

00:21:12.740 --> 00:21:13.139
 of hope?

00:21:15.759 --> 00:21:16.379
 Perhaps you're

00:21:16.379 --> 00:21:16.639
 here this

00:21:16.639 --> 00:21:17.059
 morning and

00:21:17.059 --> 00:21:17.319
 you're not

00:21:17.319 --> 00:21:17.759
 a Christian.

00:21:18.439 --> 00:21:19.099
 I wonder,

00:21:19.299 --> 00:21:19.579
 in your

00:21:19.579 --> 00:21:20.119
 spiritual

00:21:20.119 --> 00:21:20.859
 searching,

00:21:22.500 --> 00:21:22.879
 have you

00:21:22.879 --> 00:21:23.799
 found the

00:21:23.799 --> 00:21:24.339
 kind of

00:21:24.339 --> 00:21:25.679
 hope that

00:21:25.679 --> 00:21:26.639
 allows you

00:21:26.639 --> 00:21:27.699
 to neither

00:21:27.699 --> 00:21:29.079
 deny the

00:21:29.079 --> 00:21:30.599
 reality and

00:21:30.599 --> 00:21:31.459
 the awfulness

00:21:31.459 --> 00:21:32.079
 of death,

00:21:32.319 --> 00:21:33.579
 but also not

00:21:33.579 --> 00:21:34.500
 to despair

00:21:34.500 --> 00:21:35.219
 in the face

00:21:35.219 --> 00:21:35.579
 of it?

00:21:40.059 --> 00:21:40.619
 Many

00:21:40.619 --> 00:21:41.099
 spiritual

00:21:41.099 --> 00:21:41.819
 paths will

00:21:41.819 --> 00:21:42.479
 tell you that

00:21:42.479 --> 00:21:42.899
 death is

00:21:42.899 --> 00:21:43.339
 simply an

00:21:43.339 --> 00:21:44.500
 illusion or

00:21:44.500 --> 00:21:44.879
 that death

00:21:44.879 --> 00:21:45.359
 is simply

00:21:45.359 --> 00:21:45.979
 natural,

00:21:46.459 --> 00:21:46.719
 and yet,

00:21:46.899 --> 00:21:47.359
 doesn't our

00:21:47.359 --> 00:21:47.839
 heart sort

00:21:47.839 --> 00:21:48.299
 of revolt

00:21:48.299 --> 00:21:49.079
 against that?

00:21:50.119 --> 00:21:54.619
 have you

00:21:54.619 --> 00:21:55.059
 found a

00:21:55.059 --> 00:21:55.479
 hope that

00:21:55.479 --> 00:21:55.979
 allows you

00:21:55.979 --> 00:21:56.439
 to neither

00:21:56.439 --> 00:21:57.119
 deny the

00:21:57.119 --> 00:21:57.679
 reality of

00:21:57.679 --> 00:21:58.399
 death nor

00:21:58.399 --> 00:21:59.059
 despair in

00:21:59.059 --> 00:21:59.399
 the face

00:21:59.399 --> 00:21:59.639
 of it?

00:22:00.759 --> 00:22:01.359
 Let me

00:22:01.359 --> 00:22:01.899
 suggest to

00:22:01.899 --> 00:22:02.239
 you that

00:22:02.239 --> 00:22:02.679
 only

00:22:02.679 --> 00:22:03.419
 Christianity,

00:22:04.339 --> 00:22:05.619
 only faith

00:22:05.619 --> 00:22:06.439
 in the risen

00:22:06.439 --> 00:22:07.219
 Lord Jesus

00:22:07.219 --> 00:22:07.759
 who went

00:22:07.759 --> 00:22:08.599
 through death

00:22:08.599 --> 00:22:09.379
 and rose

00:22:09.379 --> 00:22:10.299
 bodily in

00:22:10.299 --> 00:22:10.819
 defeat of

00:22:10.819 --> 00:22:11.579
 death can

00:22:11.579 --> 00:22:11.919
 give you

00:22:11.919 --> 00:22:12.419
 that sort

00:22:12.419 --> 00:22:12.859
 of hope.

00:22:12.859 --> 00:22:12.919
 hope.

00:22:17.639 --> 00:22:18.359
 And that

00:22:18.359 --> 00:22:18.699
 sort of

00:22:18.699 --> 00:22:20.259
 hope is

00:22:20.259 --> 00:22:21.240
 yours for

00:22:21.240 --> 00:22:21.779
 the taking

00:22:21.779 --> 00:22:23.019
 if you

00:22:23.019 --> 00:22:23.439
 will take

00:22:23.439 --> 00:22:23.719
 him.

00:22:26.079 --> 00:22:26.839
 You can

00:22:26.839 --> 00:22:27.419
 have the

00:22:27.419 --> 00:22:27.759
 kind of

00:22:27.759 --> 00:22:30.039
 hope that

00:22:30.039 --> 00:22:30.479
 gives you

00:22:30.479 --> 00:22:31.659
 courage in

00:22:31.659 --> 00:22:32.240
 the face of

00:22:32.240 --> 00:22:33.059
 death and

00:22:33.059 --> 00:22:33.719
 also allows

00:22:33.719 --> 00:22:34.579
 you to say

00:22:34.579 --> 00:22:35.679
 that it is

00:22:35.679 --> 00:22:36.199
 wrong and

00:22:36.199 --> 00:22:36.599
 it is an

00:22:36.599 --> 00:22:37.039
 enemy that

00:22:37.039 --> 00:22:37.419
 will one

00:22:37.419 --> 00:22:37.719
 day be

00:22:37.719 --> 00:22:38.099
 defeated.

00:22:38.099 --> 00:22:42.740
 Now

00:22:42.740 --> 00:22:43.079
 Christians,

00:22:43.199 --> 00:22:43.559
 I know many

00:22:43.559 --> 00:22:43.959
 of us are

00:22:43.959 --> 00:22:44.740
 facing sorrows

00:22:44.740 --> 00:22:45.039
 of many

00:22:45.039 --> 00:22:45.539
 kinds.

00:22:47.819 --> 00:22:48.519
 Don't lose

00:22:48.519 --> 00:22:48.879
 heart.

00:22:50.699 --> 00:22:51.439
 Remember that

00:22:51.439 --> 00:22:52.259
 your Savior has

00:22:52.259 --> 00:22:52.740
 entered into

00:22:52.740 --> 00:22:53.259
 your deepest

00:22:53.259 --> 00:22:54.379
 sorrows and

00:22:54.379 --> 00:22:55.179
 promises one

00:22:55.179 --> 00:22:55.779
 day to bring

00:22:55.779 --> 00:22:56.319
 them to an

00:22:56.319 --> 00:22:56.639
 end.

00:22:57.679 --> 00:22:58.159
 Though

00:22:58.159 --> 00:22:59.179
 weeping may

00:22:59.179 --> 00:23:00.079
 last for the

00:23:00.079 --> 00:23:00.599
 night, the

00:23:00.599 --> 00:23:01.339
 psalmist says,

00:23:01.919 --> 00:23:03.399
 joy comes in

00:23:03.399 --> 00:23:03.839
 the morning.

00:23:05.219 --> 00:23:05.959
 How can it

00:23:05.959 --> 00:23:07.019
 not be so

00:23:07.019 --> 00:23:08.019
 for us who

00:23:08.019 --> 00:23:08.539
 know the

00:23:08.539 --> 00:23:09.379
 risen Jesus

00:23:09.379 --> 00:23:11.119
 that joy

00:23:11.119 --> 00:23:12.180
 will come

00:23:12.180 --> 00:23:13.779
 in the

00:23:13.779 --> 00:23:14.079
 morning?

00:23:17.940 --> 00:23:18.639
 And so

00:23:18.639 --> 00:23:19.299
 Matthew shows

00:23:19.299 --> 00:23:19.980
 us that Christ

00:23:19.980 --> 00:23:20.920
 enters into

00:23:20.920 --> 00:23:21.440
 our suffering

00:23:21.440 --> 00:23:21.960
 and shame

00:23:21.960 --> 00:23:22.720
 and will

00:23:22.720 --> 00:23:23.519
 one day end

00:23:23.519 --> 00:23:24.119
 our suffering

00:23:24.119 --> 00:23:24.700
 and shame.

00:23:25.400 --> 00:23:25.920
 But third,

00:23:26.000 --> 00:23:26.579
 he shows us

00:23:26.579 --> 00:23:27.039
 that Jesus

00:23:27.039 --> 00:23:27.859
 can even

00:23:27.859 --> 00:23:28.779
 redeem

00:23:28.779 --> 00:23:30.379
 our suffering

00:23:30.379 --> 00:23:31.240
 and shame.

00:23:32.240 --> 00:23:33.019
 In verses

00:23:33.019 --> 00:23:34.180
 19 through

00:23:34.180 --> 00:23:34.779
 23,

00:23:35.319 --> 00:23:36.019
 Matthew tells

00:23:36.019 --> 00:23:36.940
 us how God

00:23:36.940 --> 00:23:37.859
 led Joseph

00:23:37.859 --> 00:23:39.000
 to settle

00:23:39.000 --> 00:23:40.099
 in Nazareth.

00:23:42.099 --> 00:23:43.039
 Now, in

00:23:43.039 --> 00:23:43.379
 the first

00:23:43.379 --> 00:23:43.919
 century,

00:23:44.559 --> 00:23:45.000
 Nazareth

00:23:45.000 --> 00:23:45.959
 wasn't known

00:23:45.959 --> 00:23:46.740
 for anything.

00:23:49.019 --> 00:23:49.939
 It was

00:23:49.939 --> 00:23:50.500
 insignificant.

00:23:51.299 --> 00:23:51.939
 It was

00:23:51.939 --> 00:23:52.419
 marginal.

00:23:52.959 --> 00:23:53.539
 It was

00:23:53.539 --> 00:23:54.000
 obscure.

00:23:55.539 --> 00:23:56.599
 In fact,

00:23:56.639 --> 00:23:57.219
 it was so

00:23:57.219 --> 00:23:58.199
 insignificant that

00:23:58.199 --> 00:23:59.159
 it was ridiculed.

00:24:00.439 --> 00:24:00.899
 In the

00:24:00.899 --> 00:24:01.419
 Gospel of

00:24:01.419 --> 00:24:02.159
 John, when

00:24:02.159 --> 00:24:02.939
 Nathaniel, who

00:24:02.939 --> 00:24:03.719
 eventually comes

00:24:03.719 --> 00:24:04.099
 to follow

00:24:04.099 --> 00:24:05.079
 Jesus, first

00:24:05.079 --> 00:24:05.719
 hears that

00:24:05.720 --> 00:24:06.220
 Jesus is

00:24:06.220 --> 00:24:07.079
 from Nazareth,

00:24:07.460 --> 00:24:08.180
 he responds,

00:24:08.319 --> 00:24:08.880
 can anything

00:24:08.880 --> 00:24:09.980
 good come

00:24:09.980 --> 00:24:10.779
 from Nazareth?

00:24:12.600 --> 00:24:13.339
 Fill in the

00:24:13.339 --> 00:24:13.839
 blank from

00:24:13.839 --> 00:24:14.259
 your own

00:24:14.259 --> 00:24:15.120
 experience of

00:24:15.120 --> 00:24:15.779
 nowhere's

00:24:15.779 --> 00:24:16.240
 bills that

00:24:16.240 --> 00:24:16.559
 you have

00:24:16.559 --> 00:24:17.039
 either come

00:24:17.039 --> 00:24:17.720
 from or

00:24:17.720 --> 00:24:18.240
 been familiar

00:24:18.240 --> 00:24:18.600
 with.

00:24:19.000 --> 00:24:19.660
 I won't

00:24:19.660 --> 00:24:19.940
 say them

00:24:19.940 --> 00:24:20.220
 from the

00:24:20.220 --> 00:24:20.779
 pulpit because

00:24:20.779 --> 00:24:21.180
 I'll get in

00:24:21.180 --> 00:24:21.940
 trouble afterwards.

00:24:22.180 --> 00:24:22.960
 You can fill

00:24:22.960 --> 00:24:23.460
 them in, in

00:24:23.460 --> 00:24:23.819
 your own

00:24:23.819 --> 00:24:24.200
 mind.

00:24:25.279 --> 00:24:26.220
 Can anything

00:24:26.220 --> 00:24:26.740
 good come

00:24:26.740 --> 00:24:27.279
 from that

00:24:27.279 --> 00:24:27.839
 place?

00:24:27.839 --> 00:24:30.679
 And when

00:24:30.679 --> 00:24:31.039
 the early

00:24:31.039 --> 00:24:31.720
 Christians were

00:24:31.720 --> 00:24:32.779
 called that

00:24:32.779 --> 00:24:34.559
 Nazarene sect,

00:24:35.240 --> 00:24:36.779
 it was not a

00:24:36.779 --> 00:24:37.159
 compliment.

00:24:40.159 --> 00:24:41.139
 So you see,

00:24:41.220 --> 00:24:42.339
 Jesus grew up

00:24:42.339 --> 00:24:43.459
 in a forgotten

00:24:43.459 --> 00:24:45.419
 town, far

00:24:45.419 --> 00:24:46.639
 away from

00:24:46.639 --> 00:24:47.539
 the halls of

00:24:47.539 --> 00:24:48.720
 power and

00:24:48.720 --> 00:24:50.079
 prestige and

00:24:50.079 --> 00:24:51.419
 success in a

00:24:51.419 --> 00:24:52.899
 place despised in

00:24:52.899 --> 00:24:53.559
 the eyes of the

00:24:53.559 --> 00:24:53.939
 world.

00:24:53.940 --> 00:24:54.039
 God.

00:24:56.140 --> 00:24:57.019
 But friends,

00:24:57.100 --> 00:24:59.220
 that was God's

00:24:59.220 --> 00:24:59.600
 plan.

00:25:03.100 --> 00:25:04.019
 Matthew says

00:25:04.019 --> 00:25:04.400
 that Jesus

00:25:04.400 --> 00:25:05.200
 lived in

00:25:05.200 --> 00:25:06.500
 Nazareth so

00:25:06.500 --> 00:25:06.980
 that what was

00:25:06.980 --> 00:25:07.960
 spoken by the

00:25:07.960 --> 00:25:09.180
 prophets might

00:25:09.180 --> 00:25:10.160
 be fulfilled,

00:25:10.380 --> 00:25:11.840
 that he would

00:25:11.840 --> 00:25:13.460
 be called a

00:25:13.460 --> 00:25:14.180
 Nazarene.

00:25:15.420 --> 00:25:16.480
 Now you can

00:25:16.480 --> 00:25:17.320
 scour the Old

00:25:17.320 --> 00:25:17.980
 Testament and

00:25:17.980 --> 00:25:18.460
 you will never

00:25:18.460 --> 00:25:19.200
 find a verse

00:25:19.200 --> 00:25:21.440
 that says he

00:25:21.440 --> 00:25:22.120
 will be called

00:25:22.120 --> 00:25:22.940
 a Nazarene.

00:25:22.940 --> 00:25:24.480
 But it's

00:25:24.480 --> 00:25:25.080
 clear, isn't

00:25:25.080 --> 00:25:25.500
 it, when you

00:25:25.500 --> 00:25:26.920
 compare this

00:25:26.920 --> 00:25:27.519
 verse to the

00:25:27.519 --> 00:25:28.259
 other verses in

00:25:28.259 --> 00:25:29.140
 chapter 2 where

00:25:29.140 --> 00:25:30.160
 Matthew's quoting

00:25:30.160 --> 00:25:31.400
 a prophet, that

00:25:31.400 --> 00:25:32.039
 Matthew isn't

00:25:32.039 --> 00:25:32.980
 trying to quote a

00:25:32.980 --> 00:25:33.960
 particular prophet.

00:25:34.600 --> 00:25:35.080
 Rather, it's

00:25:35.080 --> 00:25:35.720
 pretty clear he's

00:25:35.720 --> 00:25:36.440
 giving a summary

00:25:36.440 --> 00:25:37.519
 statement of what,

00:25:37.580 --> 00:25:38.299
 as you see there,

00:25:38.460 --> 00:25:39.400
 the prophets,

00:25:39.779 --> 00:25:40.140
 plural,

00:25:41.600 --> 00:25:42.180
 foretold.

00:25:43.700 --> 00:25:44.400
 Matthew's giving

00:25:44.400 --> 00:25:45.080
 a synthesis

00:25:45.080 --> 00:25:46.299
 statement of a

00:25:46.299 --> 00:25:47.799
 theme that runs

00:25:47.799 --> 00:25:48.600
 throughout the

00:25:48.600 --> 00:25:49.100
 Old Testament,

00:25:49.240 --> 00:25:49.799
 throughout the

00:25:49.799 --> 00:25:50.420
 Psalms and the

00:25:50.420 --> 00:25:50.799
 prophets.

00:25:51.680 --> 00:25:52.480
 What is this

00:25:52.480 --> 00:25:54.000
 thing that the

00:25:54.000 --> 00:25:55.860
 prophets foretold

00:25:55.860 --> 00:25:56.680
 about the

00:25:56.680 --> 00:25:57.140
 Messiah?

00:26:00.039 --> 00:26:00.779
 Well, the

00:26:00.779 --> 00:26:01.360
 theme that

00:26:01.360 --> 00:26:01.920
 Matthew is

00:26:01.920 --> 00:26:02.599
 pulling on

00:26:02.599 --> 00:26:04.700
 here is that

00:26:04.700 --> 00:26:05.339
 the Messiah,

00:26:06.339 --> 00:26:07.099
 despite the

00:26:07.099 --> 00:26:08.339
 expectations of

00:26:08.339 --> 00:26:10.099
 many, would be

00:26:10.099 --> 00:26:10.599
 a man of

00:26:10.599 --> 00:26:11.160
 sorrows,

00:26:12.039 --> 00:26:12.759
 acquainted with

00:26:12.759 --> 00:26:13.339
 our grief,

00:26:13.920 --> 00:26:14.839
 that he would

00:26:14.839 --> 00:26:15.839
 be despised and

00:26:15.839 --> 00:26:17.240
 rejected, that he

00:26:17.240 --> 00:26:18.180
 would be forsaken,

00:26:18.559 --> 00:26:20.240
 that he would be a

00:26:20.240 --> 00:26:21.940
 servant, even a

00:26:21.940 --> 00:26:22.940
 suffering servant.

00:26:25.660 --> 00:26:26.580
 The passage that

00:26:26.580 --> 00:26:27.259
 we read early in

00:26:27.259 --> 00:26:28.380
 our service, Isaiah

00:26:28.380 --> 00:26:29.440
 53, is perhaps the

00:26:29.440 --> 00:26:30.460
 best-known example

00:26:30.460 --> 00:26:32.380
 of this, where the

00:26:32.380 --> 00:26:33.380
 one who would come

00:26:33.380 --> 00:26:34.299
 to be our king

00:26:34.299 --> 00:26:37.180
 would also know our

00:26:37.180 --> 00:26:37.920
 griefs and be

00:26:37.920 --> 00:26:38.980
 rejected by men.

00:26:40.559 --> 00:26:41.519
 Or in the language

00:26:41.519 --> 00:26:42.539
 of the first century,

00:26:43.880 --> 00:26:44.460
 he would be a

00:26:44.460 --> 00:26:46.960
 Nazarene, forgotten

00:26:46.960 --> 00:26:48.960
 and despised.

00:26:52.279 --> 00:26:53.579
 But here is the

00:26:53.579 --> 00:26:54.039
 mystery.

00:26:55.779 --> 00:26:57.740
 The mystery is

00:26:57.740 --> 00:26:58.420
 that the kingdom

00:26:58.420 --> 00:27:00.279
 of God is like a

00:27:00.279 --> 00:27:01.120
 mustard seed.

00:27:01.920 --> 00:27:04.220
 At first, small

00:27:04.220 --> 00:27:05.279
 and seemingly

00:27:05.279 --> 00:27:06.600
 insignificant.

00:27:07.900 --> 00:27:08.340
 You see,

00:27:08.400 --> 00:27:09.059
 friends, God

00:27:09.059 --> 00:27:10.960
 delights to use

00:27:11.480 --> 00:27:12.500
 the marginal

00:27:12.500 --> 00:27:13.240
 places.

00:27:13.640 --> 00:27:14.880
 He delights to use

00:27:14.880 --> 00:27:15.580
 the places that

00:27:15.580 --> 00:27:16.700
 are despised in

00:27:16.700 --> 00:27:17.520
 the eyes of the

00:27:17.520 --> 00:27:18.520
 world to make

00:27:18.520 --> 00:27:20.040
 his glory known.

00:27:20.760 --> 00:27:21.820
 It's not the

00:27:21.820 --> 00:27:23.000
 strong or the

00:27:23.000 --> 00:27:24.240
 powerful or the

00:27:24.240 --> 00:27:25.360
 wise or the

00:27:25.360 --> 00:27:26.620
 successful that God

00:27:26.620 --> 00:27:27.860
 needs to advance

00:27:27.860 --> 00:27:28.620
 his kingdom.

00:27:28.880 --> 00:27:30.240
 Just the opposite.

00:27:32.140 --> 00:27:32.860
 Paul says to the

00:27:32.860 --> 00:27:33.440
 church in Corinth,

00:27:33.860 --> 00:27:34.520
 you know, not many

00:27:34.520 --> 00:27:35.500
 of you were wise

00:27:35.500 --> 00:27:36.680
 according to worldly

00:27:36.680 --> 00:27:38.700
 standards, and not

00:27:38.700 --> 00:27:39.560
 many were powerful,

00:27:39.880 --> 00:27:40.960
 and not many were of

00:27:40.960 --> 00:27:42.440
 noble birth, but God

00:27:42.440 --> 00:27:44.440
 chose what is foolish

00:27:44.440 --> 00:27:45.320
 in the world to

00:27:45.320 --> 00:27:46.200
 shame the wise.

00:27:46.600 --> 00:27:47.380
 And God chose what

00:27:47.380 --> 00:27:48.380
 is weak in the world

00:27:48.380 --> 00:27:49.380
 to shame the strong.

00:27:49.660 --> 00:27:50.539
 And God chose what

00:27:50.539 --> 00:27:52.059
 is low and despised

00:27:52.059 --> 00:27:52.759
 in the world, even

00:27:52.759 --> 00:27:53.279
 the things that are

00:27:53.279 --> 00:27:54.720
 not, to bring to

00:27:54.720 --> 00:27:55.880
 nothing the things

00:27:55.880 --> 00:27:56.380
 that are.

00:27:57.080 --> 00:27:59.500
 So that no human

00:27:59.500 --> 00:28:01.400
 being might boast

00:28:01.400 --> 00:28:02.960
 in the presence of

00:28:02.960 --> 00:28:03.420
 God.

00:28:05.900 --> 00:28:08.620
 God delights to

00:28:08.620 --> 00:28:09.840
 take those places

00:28:09.839 --> 00:28:11.879
 in our life that

00:28:11.879 --> 00:28:13.399
 are weak and

00:28:13.399 --> 00:28:14.319
 that are shameful

00:28:14.319 --> 00:28:15.399
 and that are

00:28:15.399 --> 00:28:16.839
 broken and

00:28:16.839 --> 00:28:18.139
 through those

00:28:18.139 --> 00:28:19.699
 things to bring

00:28:19.699 --> 00:28:20.659
 about his

00:28:20.659 --> 00:28:22.399
 greatest work.

00:28:24.079 --> 00:28:25.439
 The Messiah

00:28:25.439 --> 00:28:27.240
 lived in Nazareth

00:28:27.240 --> 00:28:28.240
 in forgotten

00:28:28.240 --> 00:28:29.559
 obscurity for

00:28:29.559 --> 00:28:31.480
 30 years

00:28:31.480 --> 00:28:34.559
 so that we

00:28:34.559 --> 00:28:35.279
 might know

00:28:35.279 --> 00:28:37.319
 that when we

00:28:37.319 --> 00:28:37.939
 are weak,

00:28:37.940 --> 00:28:39.180
 weak, then

00:28:39.180 --> 00:28:40.059
 we are strong.

00:28:42.299 --> 00:28:43.779
 Those things

00:28:43.779 --> 00:28:45.640
 that we consider

00:28:45.640 --> 00:28:46.500
 our greatest

00:28:46.500 --> 00:28:47.240
 liability,

00:28:47.920 --> 00:28:49.039
 our greatest

00:28:49.039 --> 00:28:50.180
 weakness,

00:28:51.440 --> 00:28:52.059
 the things that

00:28:52.059 --> 00:28:52.600
 we would never

00:28:52.600 --> 00:28:53.559
 dream to put

00:28:53.559 --> 00:28:54.240
 on a resume,

00:28:55.080 --> 00:28:55.860
 the things in

00:28:55.860 --> 00:28:56.640
 our lives that

00:28:56.640 --> 00:28:57.259
 we don't put

00:28:57.259 --> 00:28:58.120
 on social media,

00:28:58.480 --> 00:28:59.279
 all of our

00:28:59.279 --> 00:29:00.299
 Nazareth's,

00:29:00.460 --> 00:29:01.120
 so to say,

00:29:01.880 --> 00:29:02.759
 so often

00:29:02.759 --> 00:29:03.759
 those are

00:29:03.759 --> 00:29:04.460
 the things

00:29:04.460 --> 00:29:05.420
 that God

00:29:05.420 --> 00:29:06.480
 will use

00:29:06.480 --> 00:29:07.279
 and those

00:29:07.279 --> 00:29:07.640
 are the

00:29:07.640 --> 00:29:08.140
 places

00:29:08.140 --> 00:29:08.920
 where his

00:29:08.920 --> 00:29:09.480
 grace

00:29:09.480 --> 00:29:10.259
 will pour

00:29:10.259 --> 00:29:10.799
 forth.

00:29:15.299 --> 00:29:15.940
 Friends,

00:29:16.019 --> 00:29:16.539
 let us not

00:29:16.539 --> 00:29:17.640
 judge with

00:29:17.640 --> 00:29:18.120
 earthly

00:29:18.120 --> 00:29:18.960
 judgment.

00:29:20.640 --> 00:29:21.079
 Nazareth

00:29:21.079 --> 00:29:22.240
 was politically

00:29:22.240 --> 00:29:23.400
 insignificant,

00:29:24.200 --> 00:29:25.220
 but it was

00:29:25.220 --> 00:29:26.019
 theologically

00:29:26.019 --> 00:29:27.660
 very significant.

00:29:30.120 --> 00:29:31.259
 You wonder,

00:29:32.019 --> 00:29:32.880
 don't you,

00:29:32.880 --> 00:29:35.300
 can God

00:29:35.300 --> 00:29:35.880
 use me?

00:29:37.160 --> 00:29:37.880
 Can he

00:29:37.880 --> 00:29:38.480
 work through

00:29:38.480 --> 00:29:38.820
 me?

00:29:39.920 --> 00:29:40.380
 But I'm

00:29:40.380 --> 00:29:40.940
 too broken

00:29:40.940 --> 00:29:41.380
 and I'm

00:29:41.380 --> 00:29:42.140
 too insignificant

00:29:42.140 --> 00:29:42.620
 and I'm

00:29:42.620 --> 00:29:43.780
 too weak,

00:29:44.000 --> 00:29:44.900
 but here

00:29:44.900 --> 00:29:45.880
 God says,

00:29:46.640 --> 00:29:47.680
 my grace

00:29:47.680 --> 00:29:48.320
 is sufficient

00:29:48.320 --> 00:29:49.100
 for you

00:29:49.100 --> 00:29:50.320
 and my

00:29:50.320 --> 00:29:50.920
 power is

00:29:50.920 --> 00:29:51.460
 made perfect

00:29:51.460 --> 00:29:52.260
 in your

00:29:52.260 --> 00:29:53.100
 weakness.

00:29:53.700 --> 00:29:53.980
 God

00:29:53.980 --> 00:29:54.480
 didn't

00:29:54.480 --> 00:29:55.120
 launch

00:29:55.120 --> 00:29:56.000
 his kingdom

00:29:56.000 --> 00:29:57.160
 from Jerusalem

00:29:57.160 --> 00:29:58.080
 or from

00:29:58.080 --> 00:29:58.560
 Rome,

00:29:58.880 --> 00:30:00.500
 but from

00:30:00.500 --> 00:30:01.020
 Nazareth.

00:30:01.019 --> 00:30:07.460
 perhaps

00:30:07.460 --> 00:30:07.740
 you're in

00:30:07.740 --> 00:30:08.039
 a season

00:30:08.039 --> 00:30:08.440
 of trial

00:30:08.440 --> 00:30:09.059
 right now,

00:30:09.379 --> 00:30:11.160
 a particularly

00:30:11.160 --> 00:30:12.200
 trying moment

00:30:12.200 --> 00:30:12.559
 in your

00:30:12.559 --> 00:30:13.059
 marriage

00:30:13.059 --> 00:30:14.119
 or in

00:30:14.119 --> 00:30:14.559
 your work

00:30:14.559 --> 00:30:14.759
 or in

00:30:14.759 --> 00:30:15.400
 your family

00:30:15.400 --> 00:30:16.480
 or in

00:30:16.480 --> 00:30:17.039
 your health

00:30:17.039 --> 00:30:18.160
 or just

00:30:18.160 --> 00:30:18.500
 in your

00:30:18.500 --> 00:30:18.799
 inner

00:30:18.799 --> 00:30:19.379
 emotional

00:30:19.379 --> 00:30:19.900
 state

00:30:19.900 --> 00:30:22.440
 and you

00:30:22.440 --> 00:30:22.599
 think,

00:30:22.759 --> 00:30:23.619
 what good

00:30:23.619 --> 00:30:24.440
 could come

00:30:24.440 --> 00:30:25.000
 of this?

00:30:25.000 --> 00:30:29.500
 and yet

00:30:29.500 --> 00:30:30.019
 there,

00:30:31.019 --> 00:30:32.460
 in your

00:30:32.460 --> 00:30:33.599
 weakness,

00:30:34.519 --> 00:30:36.359
 God is

00:30:36.359 --> 00:30:37.059
 present,

00:30:38.000 --> 00:30:39.599
 caring for

00:30:39.599 --> 00:30:39.920
 you,

00:30:41.240 --> 00:30:41.720
 knowing

00:30:41.720 --> 00:30:42.299
 you,

00:30:43.740 --> 00:30:44.299
 drawing

00:30:44.299 --> 00:30:45.339
 himself to

00:30:45.339 --> 00:30:45.720
 you,

00:30:47.059 --> 00:30:47.519
 revealing

00:30:47.519 --> 00:30:48.299
 himself to

00:30:48.299 --> 00:30:48.619
 you.

00:30:48.619 --> 00:30:51.199
 He is

00:30:51.199 --> 00:30:51.619
 present

00:30:51.619 --> 00:30:52.599
 redeeming

00:30:52.599 --> 00:30:53.479
 this

00:30:53.479 --> 00:30:54.419
 time,

00:30:54.619 --> 00:30:55.279
 redeeming

00:30:55.279 --> 00:30:55.559
 this

00:30:55.559 --> 00:30:56.039
 period

00:30:56.039 --> 00:30:56.359
 of

00:30:56.359 --> 00:30:56.959
 suffering,

00:30:56.959 --> 00:30:57.459
 of

00:30:57.459 --> 00:30:58.000
 shame,

00:30:58.199 --> 00:30:58.579
 of

00:30:58.579 --> 00:30:59.179
 trial

00:30:59.179 --> 00:31:01.039
 for

00:31:01.039 --> 00:31:01.219
 your

00:31:01.219 --> 00:31:01.639
 good

00:31:01.639 --> 00:31:03.259
 and

00:31:03.259 --> 00:31:03.399
 for

00:31:03.399 --> 00:31:03.579
 your

00:31:03.579 --> 00:31:03.959
 glory

00:31:03.959 --> 00:31:04.199
 so

00:31:04.199 --> 00:31:04.379
 that

00:31:04.379 --> 00:31:04.579
 you

00:31:04.579 --> 00:31:04.859
 can

00:31:04.859 --> 00:31:05.299
 know

00:31:05.299 --> 00:31:05.619
 him.

00:31:10.059 --> 00:31:10.779
 And so

00:31:10.779 --> 00:31:11.139
 we ask

00:31:11.139 --> 00:31:11.619
 the question,

00:31:11.739 --> 00:31:12.119
 does God

00:31:12.119 --> 00:31:12.579
 care for

00:31:12.579 --> 00:31:12.919
 us

00:31:12.919 --> 00:31:14.199
 in our

00:31:14.199 --> 00:31:14.679
 suffering,

00:31:15.299 --> 00:31:15.719
 in our

00:31:15.719 --> 00:31:16.039
 shame,

00:31:16.099 --> 00:31:16.439
 is God

00:31:16.439 --> 00:31:16.799
 there?

00:31:18.619 --> 00:31:19.379
 Oh,

00:31:19.419 --> 00:31:19.599
 friends,

00:31:19.699 --> 00:31:20.059
 what good

00:31:20.059 --> 00:31:20.479
 news we

00:31:20.479 --> 00:31:20.819
 have.

00:31:22.099 --> 00:31:22.899
 That Jesus

00:31:22.899 --> 00:31:23.399
 has borne

00:31:23.399 --> 00:31:24.139
 our sorrows,

00:31:24.579 --> 00:31:24.919
 he's

00:31:24.919 --> 00:31:25.339
 acquainted

00:31:25.339 --> 00:31:25.779
 with our

00:31:25.779 --> 00:31:26.219
 griefs and

00:31:26.219 --> 00:31:26.539
 losses,

00:31:26.879 --> 00:31:27.500
 he knows

00:31:27.500 --> 00:31:28.039
 our every

00:31:28.039 --> 00:31:28.459
 weakness,

00:31:28.459 --> 00:31:28.919
 but more

00:31:28.919 --> 00:31:29.259
 than that,

00:31:29.319 --> 00:31:29.479
 he's

00:31:29.479 --> 00:31:30.079
 redeeming

00:31:30.079 --> 00:31:30.339
 them,

00:31:30.519 --> 00:31:30.879
 and he's

00:31:30.879 --> 00:31:31.339
 bringing

00:31:31.339 --> 00:31:31.739
 us to

00:31:31.739 --> 00:31:32.119
 the day

00:31:32.119 --> 00:31:32.779
 when our

00:31:32.779 --> 00:31:33.079
 tears

00:31:33.079 --> 00:31:33.439
 will be

00:31:33.439 --> 00:31:34.019
 no more.

00:31:36.699 --> 00:31:37.199
 Let's

00:31:37.199 --> 00:31:37.459
 pray.

00:31:48.619 --> 00:31:49.259
 Oh,

00:31:49.339 --> 00:31:49.559
 Jesus,

00:31:49.699 --> 00:31:50.019
 we think

00:31:50.019 --> 00:31:50.339
 about

00:31:50.339 --> 00:31:51.279
 this

00:31:51.279 --> 00:31:51.559
 morning,

00:31:51.639 --> 00:31:51.859
 all the

00:31:51.859 --> 00:31:52.319
 places in

00:31:52.319 --> 00:31:52.839
 our lives

00:31:52.839 --> 00:31:53.699
 where we

00:31:53.699 --> 00:31:54.219
 feel weak,

00:31:54.659 --> 00:31:55.099
 where we

00:31:55.099 --> 00:31:55.839
 feel embarrassed,

00:31:56.679 --> 00:31:58.379
 and Lord,

00:31:58.419 --> 00:31:58.699
 in these

00:31:58.699 --> 00:31:59.459
 silent moments

00:31:59.459 --> 00:32:00.179
 before you,

00:32:01.259 --> 00:32:02.759
 we confess

00:32:02.759 --> 00:32:05.779
 that it is

00:32:05.779 --> 00:32:06.179
 ultimately

00:32:06.179 --> 00:32:06.859
 our sin

00:32:06.859 --> 00:32:09.539
 that brings

00:32:09.539 --> 00:32:09.899
 us our

00:32:09.899 --> 00:32:10.259
 deepest

00:32:10.259 --> 00:32:10.819
 sense

00:32:10.819 --> 00:32:13.019
 of shame

00:32:13.019 --> 00:32:13.719
 before you,

00:32:13.720 --> 00:32:16.440
 that we've

00:32:16.440 --> 00:32:17.339
 willingly sought

00:32:17.339 --> 00:32:18.100
 other gods

00:32:18.100 --> 00:32:18.440
 and other

00:32:18.440 --> 00:32:18.940
 goods

00:32:18.940 --> 00:32:20.880
 in your

00:32:20.880 --> 00:32:21.400
 place,

00:32:23.400 --> 00:32:24.500
 and yet,

00:32:24.620 --> 00:32:24.740
 Lord,

00:32:24.880 --> 00:32:25.400
 mystery of

00:32:25.400 --> 00:32:25.819
 mysteries,

00:32:26.079 --> 00:32:26.400
 you,

00:32:27.120 --> 00:32:27.759
 the perfect

00:32:27.759 --> 00:32:28.160
 one,

00:32:28.620 --> 00:32:29.339
 would come

00:32:29.339 --> 00:32:31.880
 and take

00:32:31.880 --> 00:32:32.620
 on our

00:32:32.620 --> 00:32:34.059
 imperfection

00:32:34.059 --> 00:32:36.039
 and be

00:32:36.039 --> 00:32:36.559
 crushed

00:32:36.559 --> 00:32:40.380
 so that

00:32:40.380 --> 00:32:40.819
 we might

00:32:40.819 --> 00:32:41.420
 be healed.

00:32:43.720 --> 00:32:44.600
 Lord,

00:32:44.660 --> 00:32:44.900
 that you

00:32:44.900 --> 00:32:45.160
 would be

00:32:45.160 --> 00:32:46.000
 willing to

00:32:46.000 --> 00:32:46.360
 have the

00:32:46.360 --> 00:32:46.940
 iniquity of

00:32:46.940 --> 00:32:47.360
 us all

00:32:47.360 --> 00:32:47.980
 laid upon

00:32:47.980 --> 00:32:50.440
 you so

00:32:50.440 --> 00:32:50.839
 that we

00:32:50.839 --> 00:32:51.220
 could know

00:32:51.220 --> 00:32:52.079
 the lightness

00:32:52.079 --> 00:32:52.740
 of your

00:32:52.740 --> 00:32:53.319
 righteousness

00:32:53.319 --> 00:32:54.160
 and light

00:32:54.160 --> 00:32:54.779
 and life.

00:32:56.259 --> 00:32:56.740
 Oh,

00:32:56.839 --> 00:32:57.079
 Lord,

00:32:57.140 --> 00:32:57.700
 if you

00:32:57.700 --> 00:32:59.079
 can take

00:32:59.079 --> 00:32:59.660
 care of

00:32:59.660 --> 00:33:00.220
 our sin,

00:33:00.480 --> 00:33:00.839
 if you

00:33:00.839 --> 00:33:01.380
 can redeem

00:33:01.380 --> 00:33:01.900
 us even

00:33:01.900 --> 00:33:02.120
 there,

00:33:02.220 --> 00:33:02.600
 what can

00:33:02.600 --> 00:33:03.100
 you not

00:33:03.100 --> 00:33:03.500
 redeem?

00:33:04.019 --> 00:33:04.519
 What can

00:33:04.519 --> 00:33:05.120
 you not

00:33:05.120 --> 00:33:05.940
 know,

00:33:06.019 --> 00:33:06.319
 and what

00:33:06.319 --> 00:33:06.660
 can you

00:33:06.660 --> 00:33:07.779
 not handle?

00:33:10.079 --> 00:33:10.519
 So,

00:33:10.640 --> 00:33:10.799
 Lord,

00:33:10.860 --> 00:33:11.380
 we entrust

00:33:11.380 --> 00:33:11.839
 all these

00:33:11.839 --> 00:33:12.259
 things into

00:33:12.259 --> 00:33:12.819
 your hands

00:33:12.819 --> 00:33:13.299
 praying

00:33:13.299 --> 00:33:15.339
 that you

00:33:15.339 --> 00:33:15.680
 would grant

00:33:15.680 --> 00:33:16.359
 us courage

00:33:16.359 --> 00:33:18.339
 and that you

00:33:18.339 --> 00:33:18.700
 would grant

00:33:18.700 --> 00:33:19.000
 us your

00:33:19.000 --> 00:33:19.599
 dignity for

00:33:19.599 --> 00:33:20.079
 the facing

00:33:20.079 --> 00:33:20.500
 of these

00:33:20.500 --> 00:33:20.940
 hours.

00:33:23.359 --> 00:33:23.899
 In your

00:33:23.899 --> 00:33:24.319
 mighty name

00:33:24.319 --> 00:33:24.759
 we pray.

00:33:25.700 --> 00:33:26.039
 Amen.