WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:27.719 How's your geography? How's your geography? I'm not going to give you a quiz. I was really into geography. He's a geography teacher here. There's someone, I think, Naomi Lafroy is studying geography, some people doing A-level geography. Well, Matthew, the writer of the Gospel, he is really into geography, particularly in chapter 2. Matthew wants you to travel. Matthew wants you to get your map out. Get your sat map. 00:00:27.719 --> 00:00:53.379 And he wants to take you to three places this morning. He wants to take you to Egypt, and to Bethlehem, and to Nazareth. And in each place, he wants to show you something about someone. Something about someone. And in each of these places, he's got history to tell you, like a good tour guide does. He touches an Old Testament prophecy. He wants to teach you theological geography. 00:00:53.380 --> 00:01:10.700 So, first of all, we must visit Egypt. And when we visit Egypt, what Matthew shows us is he shows us the hope of God's people. We visit Egypt to see the hope of God's people. And he tells us about that in verses 13 to 15. 00:01:10.700 --> 00:01:21.159 And especially how he tells us about how Mary, Joseph, and Mary and the child go to Egypt. Let me read them. 00:01:21.520 --> 00:01:28.280 Now when they departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. He said, rise, take the child and his mother. Note the order. It's not normal, is it? 00:01:28.840 --> 00:01:35.579 Note who's got priority. Take the child and his mother and flee to Egypt and remain there until I tell you. 00:01:35.579 --> 00:01:44.980 Herod is about to search for the child to destroy him. And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt. 00:01:45.459 --> 00:01:53.719 And he remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfil what the Lord had spoken by the prophet. Out of Egypt I called my son. 00:01:55.459 --> 00:02:02.739 Now this isn't entirely straightforward, but he is quoting from Hosea, the Old Testament prophet Hosea chapter 11 and verse 1. 00:02:02.739 --> 00:02:07.019 And it's hard to know exactly what it's got to do with Jesus. 00:02:07.159 --> 00:02:12.280 Because if you go back to Hosea chapter 1, the whole verse reads. 00:02:12.319 --> 00:02:15.340 So why don't you just come there? Hosea chapter 1 if you can find it. 00:02:17.259 --> 00:02:19.500 Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah. 00:02:21.659 --> 00:02:22.780 Hosea chapter 11. 00:02:24.459 --> 00:02:27.959 And it says this, when Israel was a child, I loved him. 00:02:27.960 --> 00:02:32.719 And out of Egypt I called my son. 00:02:40.819 --> 00:02:44.040 So when you go to Matthew chapter 2, 00:02:45.640 --> 00:02:46.719 the whole verse reads, 00:02:47.240 --> 00:02:51.760 when Israel was a child, I loved him. 00:02:51.800 --> 00:02:53.500 And out of Egypt I called my son. 00:02:53.500 --> 00:02:58.419 But Hosea chapter 11 refers to Israel, doesn't it? 00:02:58.500 --> 00:02:59.319 Not to Jesus. 00:03:00.759 --> 00:03:02.919 So when Israel was young, 00:03:03.060 --> 00:03:04.819 I called them out of Egypt, I called my son. 00:03:04.900 --> 00:03:08.840 It's picking up on what God says in Exodus chapter 4, verse 22. 00:03:09.340 --> 00:03:10.620 Where God says, 00:03:11.080 --> 00:03:13.020 Paul's Israel his son, his firstborn. 00:03:13.479 --> 00:03:15.259 And again, what has that got to do with Jesus? 00:03:16.340 --> 00:03:17.020 But hold the question. 00:03:17.099 --> 00:03:19.400 Look with me at Hosea chapter 11, verse 2. 00:03:19.920 --> 00:03:20.639 It says this, 00:03:20.639 --> 00:03:22.179 But the more they were called, 00:03:22.679 --> 00:03:24.659 the more they went away from me. 00:03:25.899 --> 00:03:27.639 They kept sacrificing to Baals, 00:03:28.459 --> 00:03:31.579 and burning offerings to idols. 00:03:32.839 --> 00:03:34.319 Again, what's that got to do with Jesus? 00:03:35.239 --> 00:03:36.459 What is that talking about? 00:03:37.279 --> 00:03:40.099 Well, it says the more they called them, 00:03:40.699 --> 00:03:42.399 the more they kept going away from them. 00:03:45.119 --> 00:03:46.619 The they's, God's prophets, 00:03:47.279 --> 00:03:49.199 God's messengers, God's preachers, 00:03:49.199 --> 00:03:49.899 the Lord's prophets, 00:03:49.900 --> 00:03:51.740 they'd address the people of Israel, 00:03:52.060 --> 00:03:53.900 and the more they addressed the people, 00:03:54.000 --> 00:03:54.960 the nation of Israel, 00:03:55.300 --> 00:03:56.060 and preached to them, 00:03:56.240 --> 00:03:58.480 and the more they called them to faithfulness, 00:03:58.560 --> 00:04:00.099 to come to God's ways, 00:04:00.439 --> 00:04:03.560 the further the people of Israel went away from God. 00:04:04.400 --> 00:04:07.000 They kept on sacrificing to Baal. 00:04:07.840 --> 00:04:09.819 They kept on sacrificing to idols. 00:04:11.180 --> 00:04:11.700 In other words, 00:04:11.759 --> 00:04:14.460 what you have in Hosea chapter 11, verses 1 and 2, 00:04:14.540 --> 00:04:16.180 is really a mini history of Israel. 00:04:16.180 --> 00:04:19.600 From the time they were called out of Egypt, 00:04:20.180 --> 00:04:21.079 in the Exodus, 00:04:22.160 --> 00:04:23.620 and then their history, 00:04:24.439 --> 00:04:25.459 was one of sin, 00:04:25.660 --> 00:04:26.300 and failure, 00:04:26.519 --> 00:04:27.560 and rebelliousness, 00:04:28.000 --> 00:04:28.860 and faithlessness, 00:04:29.340 --> 00:04:30.519 to God. 00:04:31.240 --> 00:04:31.620 And again, 00:04:31.699 --> 00:04:32.899 what does all that got to do with Jesus? 00:04:32.899 --> 00:04:37.159 Why does Matthew pick up this one liner from Hosea? 00:04:37.399 --> 00:04:38.199 Out of Egypt, 00:04:38.339 --> 00:04:39.339 I have called my son. 00:04:40.979 --> 00:04:44.939 And it's because I think Matthew wants you and I to see a certain parallel 00:04:44.939 --> 00:04:47.379 between Israel and Jesus. 00:04:49.279 --> 00:04:50.459 So to recap on the history, 00:04:50.579 --> 00:04:51.359 just like Jacob, 00:04:51.500 --> 00:04:52.639 at the end of Genesis, 00:04:53.159 --> 00:04:54.099 in chapter 46, 00:04:54.479 --> 00:04:55.359 he goes down, 00:04:55.459 --> 00:04:55.799 doesn't he, 00:04:56.060 --> 00:04:57.000 into Egypt, 00:04:57.219 --> 00:04:58.319 with all his family, 00:04:58.319 --> 00:05:00.659 to get away from a famine 00:05:00.659 --> 00:05:02.860 that was going to destroy his family. 00:05:03.899 --> 00:05:05.740 And Jacob and his family went to Egypt, 00:05:05.860 --> 00:05:08.259 and they found in Egypt a place of refuge. 00:05:09.639 --> 00:05:10.819 So, in the same way, 00:05:10.899 --> 00:05:13.779 the child Jesus is taken into Egypt. 00:05:14.980 --> 00:05:17.680 Here, he is rescued from the sword of Herod. 00:05:18.519 --> 00:05:20.779 And he finds in Egypt a place of refuge. 00:05:22.539 --> 00:05:24.500 And just as now he is in Egypt, 00:05:24.740 --> 00:05:27.120 he will eventually come out of Egypt, 00:05:27.120 --> 00:05:30.300 in the same way that Israel came out of Egypt, 00:05:30.379 --> 00:05:30.959 in the Exodus. 00:05:31.379 --> 00:05:35.660 So Jesus will have an Exodus from Egypt, 00:05:35.899 --> 00:05:37.660 when he eventually comes back to Palestine. 00:05:38.780 --> 00:05:39.840 And just as Hosea, 00:05:40.160 --> 00:05:41.600 chapter 11, verses 1 and 2, 00:05:41.680 --> 00:05:44.040 speaks of Israel when they were young. 00:05:44.840 --> 00:05:46.660 So in chapter 2 of Matthew, 00:05:47.560 --> 00:05:48.500 Jesus is young. 00:05:48.500 --> 00:05:49.939 And he is as a child. 00:05:51.420 --> 00:05:55.980 And just as Hosea 11 speaks of Israel as God's son, 00:05:55.980 --> 00:05:59.700 so here Jesus is God's son, 00:05:59.780 --> 00:06:00.720 as we'll find out. 00:06:01.939 --> 00:06:02.840 So you see, don't you, 00:06:02.860 --> 00:06:04.800 there's a certain parallel that you can see. 00:06:05.800 --> 00:06:07.800 But Matthew not only wants you to see a parallel, 00:06:08.160 --> 00:06:09.300 but a contrast, 00:06:10.360 --> 00:06:11.420 as it were. 00:06:11.759 --> 00:06:13.860 He is the new Israel. 00:06:15.319 --> 00:06:17.680 He is the one true Israelite. 00:06:17.680 --> 00:06:22.160 Jesus is the one who is retracing Israel's steps. 00:06:22.600 --> 00:06:25.100 And so as he goes down to Egypt, 00:06:25.480 --> 00:06:27.459 as a place in refuge, 00:06:28.040 --> 00:06:30.439 and where he is as a youth, 00:06:30.939 --> 00:06:32.160 as God's son, 00:06:32.480 --> 00:06:33.800 will exit Egypt, 00:06:33.980 --> 00:06:35.800 he will retrace Israel's history. 00:06:37.259 --> 00:06:39.439 But what happened to Israel's history? 00:06:39.439 --> 00:06:43.000 What does the mini Old Testament overview 00:06:43.000 --> 00:06:45.180 of Hosea 11, verses 1 and 2 tell us? 00:06:45.600 --> 00:06:48.000 It tells us that the more they were called, 00:06:48.060 --> 00:06:48.899 the more they went away. 00:06:50.180 --> 00:06:54.120 They kept sacrificing offerings to Baal, 00:06:54.920 --> 00:06:56.659 and burning offerings to idols. 00:06:57.100 --> 00:06:59.019 Israel was a faithless son. 00:07:00.019 --> 00:07:02.379 But Jesus will be a faithful son. 00:07:02.379 --> 00:07:05.659 Jesus will begin a new history. 00:07:06.100 --> 00:07:08.620 He will begin a new history of faithfulness, 00:07:08.740 --> 00:07:09.420 and obedience, 00:07:10.000 --> 00:07:10.759 and righteousness, 00:07:11.199 --> 00:07:12.759 in contrast to Israel. 00:07:14.219 --> 00:07:16.420 And that is why Matthew wants you to visit Egypt. 00:07:17.279 --> 00:07:19.240 Because you will see in Egypt 00:07:19.240 --> 00:07:21.899 the true, faithful Israelite, 00:07:22.399 --> 00:07:24.159 who is the hope of God's people. 00:07:27.579 --> 00:07:29.060 And you might say, so what? 00:07:30.100 --> 00:07:31.819 What, after all, difference does it make 00:07:31.819 --> 00:07:33.079 that Jesus is going to be 00:07:33.079 --> 00:07:35.740 this faithful and obedient Israelite? 00:07:37.079 --> 00:07:38.339 And actually, you need the rest 00:07:38.339 --> 00:07:39.819 of the New Testament for this. 00:07:41.459 --> 00:07:43.339 Because the difference that it makes 00:07:43.339 --> 00:07:46.219 is this faithful and obedient 00:07:46.219 --> 00:07:48.579 and righteous Jesus 00:07:48.579 --> 00:07:52.079 can be credited to your account, 00:07:52.159 --> 00:07:53.980 can be put to your account. 00:07:55.300 --> 00:07:57.139 The New Testament is full 00:07:57.139 --> 00:07:58.639 of a doctrine called 00:07:58.639 --> 00:08:00.500 the doctrine of union with Christ. 00:08:01.819 --> 00:08:03.079 Sometimes, in fact, 00:08:03.120 --> 00:08:04.199 it speaks more often than this 00:08:04.199 --> 00:08:05.899 about believers than any other phrase. 00:08:05.980 --> 00:08:08.159 It speaks about being in Christ. 00:08:08.259 --> 00:08:09.420 That is the way the New Testament 00:08:09.420 --> 00:08:10.899 describes believers. 00:08:11.779 --> 00:08:13.879 That if one is in Christ, 00:08:13.980 --> 00:08:16.079 if one is placed into Christ 00:08:16.079 --> 00:08:17.659 by faith, 00:08:17.740 --> 00:08:19.199 if they trust and rest 00:08:19.199 --> 00:08:20.180 in Christ alone, 00:08:20.680 --> 00:08:23.079 then everything Jesus did, 00:08:23.759 --> 00:08:25.980 and everything that Jesus does, 00:08:26.139 --> 00:08:27.560 becomes yours. 00:08:27.560 --> 00:08:29.939 I'm going to tell you, 00:08:29.939 --> 00:08:30.540 I'm going to tell you, 00:08:30.540 --> 00:08:31.620 the Scottish minister gave this 00:08:31.620 --> 00:08:32.000 illustration, 00:08:32.059 --> 00:08:32.840 I gave it to you before, 00:08:33.120 --> 00:08:34.379 of a Frenchman who wanted 00:08:34.379 --> 00:08:35.580 to become a British citizen. 00:08:37.080 --> 00:08:37.840 This Frenchman, 00:08:37.879 --> 00:08:39.000 he was attracted to the British 00:08:39.000 --> 00:08:39.500 way of life, 00:08:39.559 --> 00:08:40.200 to British food. 00:08:40.899 --> 00:08:42.059 So he took the test, 00:08:43.320 --> 00:08:44.100 he took his kind of 00:08:44.100 --> 00:08:45.200 nationalisation papers, 00:08:45.259 --> 00:08:45.940 whatever they're called, 00:08:46.179 --> 00:08:47.899 and he went through the process 00:08:47.899 --> 00:08:49.940 to become a British citizen. 00:08:51.080 --> 00:08:52.000 And after he became 00:08:52.000 --> 00:08:52.779 a British citizen, 00:08:53.279 --> 00:08:53.740 he was asked, 00:08:53.820 --> 00:08:54.659 how do you feel now? 00:08:54.659 --> 00:08:56.339 What difference does it make 00:08:56.339 --> 00:08:58.480 that you now are an Englishman? 00:08:59.399 --> 00:09:00.259 And he replied, 00:09:00.379 --> 00:09:01.399 well it means that instead 00:09:01.399 --> 00:09:03.259 of losing the Battle of Waterloo, 00:09:03.379 --> 00:09:04.039 I won it. 00:09:05.899 --> 00:09:07.259 Because when he became 00:09:07.259 --> 00:09:08.019 a British citizen, 00:09:08.240 --> 00:09:09.319 all that Britain 00:09:09.319 --> 00:09:11.559 had fought for and achieved, 00:09:11.919 --> 00:09:13.699 and one became his. 00:09:16.059 --> 00:09:16.959 And you see, 00:09:17.279 --> 00:09:19.000 the faithful Jesus, 00:09:19.799 --> 00:09:21.679 who is the faithful Israelite, 00:09:21.860 --> 00:09:23.319 who in place of God's 00:09:23.320 --> 00:09:25.140 faithless son Israel, 00:09:26.080 --> 00:09:27.840 now is the new Israel. 00:09:31.200 --> 00:09:33.480 Who will walk in faithfulness 00:09:33.480 --> 00:09:34.320 and righteousness 00:09:34.320 --> 00:09:35.980 and obedience to his Father. 00:09:36.140 --> 00:09:37.879 And we are in him. 00:09:39.700 --> 00:09:40.680 And that is when you are 00:09:40.680 --> 00:09:42.040 united in my faith, 00:09:42.200 --> 00:09:44.440 all of his righteousness 00:09:44.440 --> 00:09:46.760 and all of his faithfulness 00:09:46.760 --> 00:09:48.420 and all of his obedience 00:09:48.420 --> 00:09:49.380 becomes yours. 00:09:51.140 --> 00:09:51.960 That's why it's worth 00:09:51.960 --> 00:09:52.540 going to Egypt. 00:09:53.320 --> 00:09:54.520 You might ask, 00:09:54.600 --> 00:09:55.520 where does my rebellion 00:09:55.520 --> 00:09:56.720 and my failure go? 00:09:57.520 --> 00:09:58.400 And if you've been in the service, 00:09:58.480 --> 00:09:58.860 you know it, 00:09:58.920 --> 00:09:59.240 don't you? 00:10:00.840 --> 00:10:02.520 It goes onto the shoulders 00:10:02.520 --> 00:10:03.680 of the Lord Jesus. 00:10:05.140 --> 00:10:06.140 On the cross. 00:10:07.379 --> 00:10:08.500 On the cross. 00:10:10.000 --> 00:10:11.820 All my sin is laid on him. 00:10:14.120 --> 00:10:14.660 Matthew says, 00:10:14.720 --> 00:10:15.160 go to Egypt. 00:10:16.280 --> 00:10:16.860 Matthew says, 00:10:16.920 --> 00:10:17.060 come, 00:10:17.520 --> 00:10:18.600 our next stop is Bethlehem. 00:10:19.020 --> 00:10:20.260 We need to go to Bethlehem. 00:10:20.259 --> 00:10:23.059 And you must visit Bethlehem. 00:10:23.139 --> 00:10:24.559 And the reason you must visit Bethlehem 00:10:24.559 --> 00:10:25.600 is because you need to see 00:10:25.600 --> 00:10:26.100 in Bethlehem 00:10:26.100 --> 00:10:27.639 the mystery of God's providence. 00:10:28.399 --> 00:10:29.899 The mystery of 00:10:29.899 --> 00:10:32.000 God's providence. 00:10:33.000 --> 00:10:33.500 What does the word 00:10:33.500 --> 00:10:34.120 providence mean? 00:10:35.120 --> 00:10:36.259 Short Cascism tells us, 00:10:36.340 --> 00:10:36.600 doesn't it? 00:10:37.240 --> 00:10:38.460 What is God's works 00:10:38.460 --> 00:10:39.059 of providence? 00:10:39.919 --> 00:10:41.019 God's works of providence 00:10:41.019 --> 00:10:41.840 are his most 00:10:41.840 --> 00:10:42.500 holy, 00:10:42.819 --> 00:10:43.240 wise, 00:10:43.919 --> 00:10:44.580 powerful, 00:10:44.819 --> 00:10:45.379 preserving 00:10:45.379 --> 00:10:46.439 and governing 00:10:46.439 --> 00:10:48.419 all his creatures 00:10:48.419 --> 00:10:49.480 and all their actions. 00:10:49.720 --> 00:10:50.679 It's that he's in control 00:10:50.679 --> 00:10:51.379 of everything. 00:10:52.539 --> 00:10:53.740 It's that there is nothing 00:10:53.740 --> 00:10:54.620 outside of 00:10:54.620 --> 00:10:55.500 God's control. 00:10:56.139 --> 00:10:57.220 And so we go to Bethlehem 00:10:57.220 --> 00:10:57.840 to see the mystery 00:10:57.840 --> 00:10:58.779 of God's providence. 00:11:00.639 --> 00:11:01.439 It's an amazing chapter 00:11:01.439 --> 00:11:01.720 is that 00:11:01.720 --> 00:11:03.059 we see 00:11:03.059 --> 00:11:03.679 in verses 12 00:11:03.679 --> 00:11:04.340 and 13 00:11:04.340 --> 00:11:05.399 and 14 00:11:05.399 --> 00:11:06.240 that the Lord 00:11:06.240 --> 00:11:07.139 had given the direction 00:11:07.139 --> 00:11:07.679 to major. 00:11:07.919 --> 00:11:09.139 Start of chapter 2, 00:11:09.500 --> 00:11:10.220 wise men. 00:11:10.620 --> 00:11:11.799 Rest of chapter 2, 00:11:12.159 --> 00:11:12.919 evil men. 00:11:13.080 --> 00:11:13.919 Foolish men. 00:11:13.919 --> 00:11:15.519 And the Lord 00:11:15.519 --> 00:11:16.199 had given the direction 00:11:16.199 --> 00:11:16.879 to the Magi, 00:11:16.959 --> 00:11:17.559 the wise men 00:11:17.559 --> 00:11:18.719 and he warned them, 00:11:18.799 --> 00:11:20.059 don't go back to Herod. 00:11:20.719 --> 00:11:21.519 And they go back 00:11:21.519 --> 00:11:22.279 in a different route 00:11:22.279 --> 00:11:23.740 and then the Lord 00:11:23.740 --> 00:11:24.439 warns Joseph 00:11:24.439 --> 00:11:25.379 in a dream again, 00:11:25.500 --> 00:11:26.219 don't hang about 00:11:26.219 --> 00:11:27.559 but take the child 00:11:27.559 --> 00:11:27.979 and his mother 00:11:27.979 --> 00:11:28.740 and go into Egypt 00:11:28.740 --> 00:11:30.279 because Herod 00:11:30.279 --> 00:11:31.339 is seeking to destroy 00:11:31.339 --> 00:11:31.799 the child 00:11:31.799 --> 00:11:32.839 and Joseph 00:11:32.839 --> 00:11:33.819 evidently 00:11:33.819 --> 00:11:35.919 he gets up, 00:11:36.000 --> 00:11:36.759 he doesn't question, 00:11:36.959 --> 00:11:37.839 he escapes 00:11:37.839 --> 00:11:40.240 Bethlehem 00:11:40.240 --> 00:11:41.139 to go to Egypt 00:11:41.139 --> 00:11:42.279 and he leaves 00:11:42.279 --> 00:11:43.500 no forwarding address. 00:11:44.779 --> 00:11:45.360 They become 00:11:45.360 --> 00:11:46.240 a fugitive family. 00:11:46.839 --> 00:11:48.019 They become migrants, 00:11:48.139 --> 00:11:48.879 they become refugees, 00:11:49.120 --> 00:11:49.740 they're on the run. 00:11:51.219 --> 00:11:51.839 And yet Herod 00:11:51.839 --> 00:11:52.839 is outwitted again. 00:11:53.779 --> 00:11:55.539 Herod is outwitted again 00:11:55.539 --> 00:11:57.039 and Jesus is preserved. 00:11:58.159 --> 00:11:59.439 And we look at chapter 2 00:11:59.439 --> 00:11:59.919 and we say 00:11:59.919 --> 00:12:01.299 isn't that amazing? 00:12:03.039 --> 00:12:03.799 Isn't that the 00:12:03.799 --> 00:12:05.039 marvellous providence 00:12:05.039 --> 00:12:05.819 of God 00:12:05.819 --> 00:12:07.519 in preserving 00:12:07.519 --> 00:12:08.079 and governing 00:12:08.079 --> 00:12:08.819 all his creatures 00:12:08.819 --> 00:12:09.759 and all their actions? 00:12:09.759 --> 00:12:10.960 the spectacular 00:12:10.960 --> 00:12:11.899 providence 00:12:11.899 --> 00:12:12.580 of God 00:12:12.580 --> 00:12:13.639 in preserving 00:12:13.639 --> 00:12:14.340 and protecting 00:12:14.340 --> 00:12:14.939 the saviour 00:12:14.939 --> 00:12:15.639 that was born. 00:12:16.000 --> 00:12:16.559 And we say 00:12:16.559 --> 00:12:18.100 isn't this amazing? 00:12:20.819 --> 00:12:21.659 But what about 00:12:21.659 --> 00:12:22.319 the parents? 00:12:24.120 --> 00:12:24.759 What about 00:12:24.759 --> 00:12:25.419 the parents 00:12:25.419 --> 00:12:26.559 of the infant 00:12:26.559 --> 00:12:27.000 toddlers 00:12:27.000 --> 00:12:27.759 in Bethlehem? 00:12:28.399 --> 00:12:29.299 In verse 16. 00:12:31.100 --> 00:12:32.100 You've read that verse 00:12:32.100 --> 00:12:32.360 of you. 00:12:32.960 --> 00:12:34.320 And then Herod 00:12:34.320 --> 00:12:34.920 when he saw 00:12:34.920 --> 00:12:35.500 that he'd been 00:12:35.500 --> 00:12:36.480 tricked by the wise men 00:12:36.480 --> 00:12:37.759 became furious 00:12:37.759 --> 00:12:39.740 and he sent 00:12:39.740 --> 00:12:40.480 and killed 00:12:40.480 --> 00:12:41.840 all the male children 00:12:41.840 --> 00:12:42.700 in Bethlehem 00:12:42.700 --> 00:12:44.940 and in all that region 00:12:44.940 --> 00:12:45.800 who were two years old 00:12:45.800 --> 00:12:46.300 or under. 00:12:46.299 --> 00:12:48.059 according to the time 00:12:48.059 --> 00:12:48.719 he'd ascertained 00:12:48.719 --> 00:12:49.519 from the wise men. 00:12:52.039 --> 00:12:52.819 What do you say 00:12:52.819 --> 00:12:53.519 to those parents? 00:12:54.740 --> 00:12:55.479 What message 00:12:55.479 --> 00:12:56.039 do you bring them? 00:12:58.139 --> 00:12:59.139 When all of a sudden 00:12:59.139 --> 00:12:59.899 Herod's police 00:12:59.899 --> 00:13:00.559 come bursting 00:13:00.559 --> 00:13:01.399 into their home 00:13:01.399 --> 00:13:03.679 three or four of them 00:13:03.679 --> 00:13:04.500 they push the father 00:13:04.500 --> 00:13:05.079 to the ground 00:13:05.079 --> 00:13:06.019 they fling the mother 00:13:06.019 --> 00:13:06.740 into a corner 00:13:06.740 --> 00:13:08.819 they go into the nursery 00:13:08.819 --> 00:13:11.579 and they turn it 00:13:11.579 --> 00:13:12.419 into a butcher's shop 00:13:12.419 --> 00:13:13.179 with blood everywhere. 00:13:13.179 --> 00:13:16.299 What do you do 00:13:16.299 --> 00:13:17.059 in another home? 00:13:17.859 --> 00:13:18.399 A policeman 00:13:18.399 --> 00:13:19.399 bursts in 00:13:19.399 --> 00:13:19.959 through the door 00:13:19.959 --> 00:13:20.359 this time 00:13:20.359 --> 00:13:21.120 they don't even knock 00:13:21.120 --> 00:13:22.139 he grabs the infant 00:13:22.139 --> 00:13:22.759 from the breast 00:13:22.759 --> 00:13:23.219 of his mother 00:13:23.219 --> 00:13:24.899 and he rams a sword 00:13:24.899 --> 00:13:25.759 right through it. 00:13:29.399 --> 00:13:30.419 We don't know 00:13:30.419 --> 00:13:31.379 how many babies 00:13:31.379 --> 00:13:31.839 it might have been 00:13:31.839 --> 00:13:32.419 it might have been 10 00:13:32.419 --> 00:13:33.219 it might have been 15 00:13:33.219 --> 00:13:34.399 for a child's size 00:13:34.399 --> 00:13:34.959 it's bad for him. 00:13:36.179 --> 00:13:37.179 But what do you say 00:13:37.179 --> 00:13:38.019 to those parents? 00:13:39.319 --> 00:13:40.240 As they simmer 00:13:40.240 --> 00:13:41.000 in 00:13:41.000 --> 00:13:43.120 helpless rage 00:13:43.120 --> 00:13:45.679 and overflowing 00:13:45.679 --> 00:13:46.120 grief 00:13:46.120 --> 00:13:47.139 at what has happened 00:13:47.139 --> 00:13:48.000 to their home? 00:13:50.480 --> 00:13:51.060 Do we preach 00:13:51.060 --> 00:13:51.419 to them 00:13:51.419 --> 00:13:52.399 of the marvellous 00:13:52.399 --> 00:13:53.240 amazing 00:13:53.240 --> 00:13:54.659 providence of God? 00:13:58.659 --> 00:13:59.639 No we don't do we 00:13:59.639 --> 00:14:00.639 we talk about 00:14:00.639 --> 00:14:01.240 the mysterious 00:14:01.240 --> 00:14:02.179 providence of God. 00:14:06.299 --> 00:14:07.060 And I want you 00:14:07.060 --> 00:14:07.840 to see really clearly 00:14:07.840 --> 00:14:08.379 that the Bible 00:14:08.379 --> 00:14:09.620 places both of these 00:14:09.620 --> 00:14:10.519 aspects of the 00:14:10.519 --> 00:14:11.279 providence of God 00:14:11.279 --> 00:14:11.860 the amazing 00:14:11.860 --> 00:14:12.379 providence 00:14:12.379 --> 00:14:13.059 and the mysterious 00:14:13.059 --> 00:14:13.480 providence 00:14:13.480 --> 00:14:14.279 side by side. 00:14:16.279 --> 00:14:17.220 We look at the way 00:14:17.220 --> 00:14:18.360 that Jesus is preserved 00:14:18.360 --> 00:14:19.899 and we say 00:14:19.899 --> 00:14:20.399 look at the 00:14:20.399 --> 00:14:20.840 marvellous 00:14:20.840 --> 00:14:21.639 providence of God. 00:14:22.740 --> 00:14:23.659 Look how faithful 00:14:23.659 --> 00:14:24.360 God is. 00:14:26.840 --> 00:14:27.439 And then we see 00:14:27.439 --> 00:14:28.139 the butchery 00:14:28.139 --> 00:14:30.419 that Herod's men 00:14:30.419 --> 00:14:30.820 do 00:14:30.820 --> 00:14:32.980 and we say 00:14:32.980 --> 00:14:33.500 there is 00:14:33.500 --> 00:14:34.740 mystery here. 00:14:35.679 --> 00:14:36.419 There is a 00:14:36.419 --> 00:14:36.879 mysterious 00:14:36.879 --> 00:14:37.379 providence 00:14:37.379 --> 00:14:37.820 of God. 00:14:37.820 --> 00:14:40.420 we say 00:14:40.420 --> 00:14:41.200 how baffling 00:14:41.200 --> 00:14:41.800 God is. 00:14:44.680 --> 00:14:45.240 And we ask 00:14:45.240 --> 00:14:45.600 the question 00:14:45.600 --> 00:14:46.260 couldn't the 00:14:46.260 --> 00:14:46.740 God who 00:14:46.740 --> 00:14:47.379 preserved 00:14:47.379 --> 00:14:47.920 the Lord 00:14:47.920 --> 00:14:48.560 Jesus Christ 00:14:48.560 --> 00:14:49.120 from Herod's 00:14:49.120 --> 00:14:49.460 clutches 00:14:49.460 --> 00:14:50.840 also kept 00:14:50.840 --> 00:14:52.260 more than a 00:14:52.260 --> 00:14:52.920 dozen children 00:14:52.920 --> 00:14:54.160 from being 00:14:54.160 --> 00:14:54.560 murdered 00:14:54.560 --> 00:14:56.320 from the 00:14:56.320 --> 00:14:56.760 jaws of 00:14:56.760 --> 00:14:57.060 Herod? 00:14:57.160 --> 00:14:57.480 Why? 00:14:57.480 --> 00:14:59.659 Why did 00:14:59.659 --> 00:15:00.120 God not do 00:15:00.120 --> 00:15:00.360 something? 00:15:02.039 --> 00:15:02.580 Why did 00:15:02.580 --> 00:15:03.019 God allow 00:15:03.019 --> 00:15:03.360 this? 00:15:07.320 --> 00:15:07.860 We have to 00:15:07.860 --> 00:15:08.200 say that we 00:15:08.200 --> 00:15:08.700 in one sense 00:15:08.700 --> 00:15:09.019 we have to 00:15:09.019 --> 00:15:09.379 say that it 00:15:09.379 --> 00:15:10.500 wasn't God's 00:15:10.500 --> 00:15:10.740 fault 00:15:10.740 --> 00:15:11.980 that those 00:15:11.980 --> 00:15:12.440 babies were 00:15:12.440 --> 00:15:12.659 killed. 00:15:12.779 --> 00:15:13.519 We have to 00:15:13.519 --> 00:15:14.560 affirm that 00:15:14.560 --> 00:15:15.279 there is evil 00:15:15.279 --> 00:15:15.920 in this world. 00:15:18.420 --> 00:15:18.800 Herod 00:15:18.800 --> 00:15:20.240 was a 00:15:20.240 --> 00:15:20.980 murderous 00:15:20.980 --> 00:15:21.740 vicious 00:15:21.740 --> 00:15:22.440 tyrant. 00:15:22.440 --> 00:15:24.360 he had 00:15:24.360 --> 00:15:24.800 done it. 00:15:26.740 --> 00:15:27.080 When we 00:15:27.080 --> 00:15:27.340 think of 00:15:27.340 --> 00:15:27.680 terrorist 00:15:27.680 --> 00:15:28.100 attacks, 00:15:28.220 --> 00:15:28.420 when we 00:15:28.420 --> 00:15:28.700 think of 00:15:28.700 --> 00:15:29.040 shootings 00:15:29.040 --> 00:15:29.460 that take 00:15:29.460 --> 00:15:29.900 place, 00:15:31.340 --> 00:15:31.740 some of 00:15:31.740 --> 00:15:31.840 the 00:15:31.840 --> 00:15:32.440 disasters 00:15:32.440 --> 00:15:32.760 that 00:15:32.760 --> 00:15:33.080 happen, 00:15:33.360 --> 00:15:33.900 we do 00:15:33.900 --> 00:15:34.200 need to 00:15:34.200 --> 00:15:34.420 look at 00:15:34.420 --> 00:15:34.500 the 00:15:34.500 --> 00:15:34.980 responsibility 00:15:34.980 --> 00:15:35.640 of man. 00:15:37.900 --> 00:15:38.400 The 00:15:38.400 --> 00:15:38.940 fault of 00:15:38.940 --> 00:15:39.280 human 00:15:39.280 --> 00:15:39.920 beings. 00:15:42.880 --> 00:15:43.600 We have 00:15:43.600 --> 00:15:43.960 to say 00:15:43.960 --> 00:15:44.380 that there 00:15:44.380 --> 00:15:45.100 are men 00:15:45.100 --> 00:15:45.800 and women 00:15:45.800 --> 00:15:46.520 who do 00:15:46.520 --> 00:15:47.240 evil. 00:15:50.960 --> 00:15:51.540 And when 00:15:51.540 --> 00:15:51.800 we say 00:15:51.800 --> 00:15:52.100 why are 00:15:52.100 --> 00:15:52.480 these things 00:15:52.480 --> 00:15:52.700 allowed, 00:15:52.779 --> 00:15:53.080 we have 00:15:53.080 --> 00:15:53.560 to realise 00:15:53.560 --> 00:15:54.540 there is 00:15:54.540 --> 00:15:54.820 such a 00:15:54.820 --> 00:15:55.100 thing as 00:15:55.100 --> 00:15:55.279 evil. 00:15:55.399 --> 00:15:55.500 There's 00:15:55.500 --> 00:15:55.740 lots of 00:15:55.740 --> 00:15:55.899 people who 00:15:55.899 --> 00:15:55.980 don't 00:15:55.980 --> 00:15:56.240 believe 00:15:56.240 --> 00:15:56.480 that. 00:15:58.060 --> 00:15:58.600 And there 00:15:58.600 --> 00:15:58.899 are people 00:15:58.899 --> 00:15:59.320 that do 00:15:59.320 --> 00:16:00.440 evil things 00:16:00.440 --> 00:16:00.940 and there 00:16:00.940 --> 00:16:01.460 are evil 00:16:01.460 --> 00:16:02.259 men and 00:16:02.259 --> 00:16:02.860 evil women. 00:16:05.920 --> 00:16:06.500 But with 00:16:06.500 --> 00:16:07.159 all that, 00:16:08.259 --> 00:16:08.639 the Bible 00:16:08.639 --> 00:16:09.360 teaches and 00:16:09.360 --> 00:16:09.779 this church 00:16:09.779 --> 00:16:10.560 believes that 00:16:10.560 --> 00:16:10.940 God is 00:16:10.940 --> 00:16:11.300 sovereign. 00:16:12.759 --> 00:16:13.200 We believe 00:16:13.200 --> 00:16:13.639 that God 00:16:13.639 --> 00:16:14.500 is in 00:16:14.500 --> 00:16:14.899 control. 00:16:16.379 --> 00:16:16.759 What are 00:16:16.759 --> 00:16:17.160 the works 00:16:17.160 --> 00:16:18.120 of God's 00:16:18.120 --> 00:16:18.560 providence? 00:16:20.160 --> 00:16:20.740 The works 00:16:20.740 --> 00:16:21.019 of God's 00:16:21.019 --> 00:16:21.500 providence are 00:16:21.500 --> 00:16:22.840 wise and 00:16:22.840 --> 00:16:23.340 most powerful 00:16:23.340 --> 00:16:24.279 preserving all 00:16:24.279 --> 00:16:24.740 his creatures 00:16:24.740 --> 00:16:25.019 and all 00:16:25.019 --> 00:16:25.580 their actions. 00:16:27.759 --> 00:16:28.100 And so we 00:16:28.100 --> 00:16:28.500 have to come 00:16:28.500 --> 00:16:28.919 back and we 00:16:28.919 --> 00:16:29.460 have to say, 00:16:29.559 --> 00:16:29.820 don't we, 00:16:29.879 --> 00:16:30.399 why does God 00:16:30.399 --> 00:16:30.919 allow this? 00:16:31.779 --> 00:16:32.220 Why did God 00:16:32.220 --> 00:16:32.720 allow that? 00:16:34.820 --> 00:16:35.460 And here we 00:16:35.460 --> 00:16:36.000 are faced with 00:16:36.000 --> 00:16:36.500 the mysterious 00:16:36.500 --> 00:16:37.200 providence of 00:16:37.200 --> 00:16:37.539 God. 00:16:39.600 --> 00:16:40.240 And you and 00:16:40.240 --> 00:16:40.899 I, we want to 00:16:40.899 --> 00:16:41.259 get it all 00:16:41.259 --> 00:16:41.639 together, 00:16:41.759 --> 00:16:42.460 don't we? 00:16:43.879 --> 00:16:44.519 We want to be 00:16:44.519 --> 00:16:44.940 able to fit 00:16:44.940 --> 00:16:45.799 this into a 00:16:45.799 --> 00:16:47.039 nice, neat 00:16:47.039 --> 00:16:48.399 package that 00:16:48.399 --> 00:16:49.279 can be summarised 00:16:49.279 --> 00:16:49.919 in a couple 00:16:49.919 --> 00:16:50.220 of bullet 00:16:50.220 --> 00:16:50.639 points. 00:16:51.819 --> 00:16:52.419 Something that 00:16:52.419 --> 00:16:53.319 we can handle 00:16:53.319 --> 00:16:53.899 and we can 00:16:53.899 --> 00:16:55.419 explain easily 00:16:55.419 --> 00:16:56.159 to others. 00:17:00.100 --> 00:17:00.699 And something 00:17:00.699 --> 00:17:01.159 like this 00:17:01.159 --> 00:17:01.779 situation is 00:17:01.779 --> 00:17:02.339 very, very 00:17:02.339 --> 00:17:03.059 difficult because 00:17:03.059 --> 00:17:03.639 you have the 00:17:03.639 --> 00:17:04.039 marvellous 00:17:04.039 --> 00:17:04.660 providence of 00:17:04.660 --> 00:17:05.319 God on the 00:17:05.319 --> 00:17:05.759 one hand and 00:17:05.759 --> 00:17:06.119 you have the 00:17:06.119 --> 00:17:06.500 mysterious 00:17:06.500 --> 00:17:07.259 providence of 00:17:07.259 --> 00:17:07.879 God on the 00:17:07.879 --> 00:17:08.019 other. 00:17:11.619 --> 00:17:12.279 And I've 00:17:12.279 --> 00:17:13.359 not got answers 00:17:13.359 --> 00:17:13.759 for you this 00:17:13.759 --> 00:17:13.960 morning. 00:17:13.960 --> 00:17:16.400 But I want 00:17:16.400 --> 00:17:16.740 you to notice 00:17:16.740 --> 00:17:17.240 one thing 00:17:17.240 --> 00:17:17.779 before we go 00:17:17.779 --> 00:17:17.980 on. 00:17:19.160 --> 00:17:19.880 Where is it 00:17:19.880 --> 00:17:20.480 that we find 00:17:20.480 --> 00:17:21.140 this question 00:17:21.140 --> 00:17:23.100 raised about 00:17:23.100 --> 00:17:23.740 why does 00:17:23.740 --> 00:17:24.220 God allow 00:17:24.220 --> 00:17:24.539 this? 00:17:27.460 --> 00:17:27.980 You and 00:17:27.980 --> 00:17:28.360 I need to 00:17:28.360 --> 00:17:29.019 see that this 00:17:29.019 --> 00:17:30.059 question jumps 00:17:30.059 --> 00:17:31.079 off the pages 00:17:31.079 --> 00:17:31.759 of the Bible. 00:17:33.559 --> 00:17:34.279 It is the 00:17:34.279 --> 00:17:34.720 Bible that 00:17:34.720 --> 00:17:35.340 raises this 00:17:35.340 --> 00:17:35.700 question. 00:17:35.819 --> 00:17:36.019 The Bible 00:17:36.019 --> 00:17:36.519 doesn't hide 00:17:36.519 --> 00:17:36.700 it. 00:17:38.180 --> 00:17:38.840 It is the 00:17:38.840 --> 00:17:39.279 Bible that 00:17:39.279 --> 00:17:40.079 presses the 00:17:40.079 --> 00:17:41.100 issue home as 00:17:41.100 --> 00:17:41.559 we carefully 00:17:41.559 --> 00:17:41.980 read the 00:17:41.980 --> 00:17:42.319 text. 00:17:42.720 --> 00:17:43.160 It is the 00:17:43.160 --> 00:17:43.600 Bible that 00:17:43.600 --> 00:17:45.440 brings this 00:17:45.440 --> 00:17:46.040 issue in 00:17:46.040 --> 00:17:46.480 front of 00:17:46.480 --> 00:17:46.980 your nose. 00:17:47.080 --> 00:17:47.540 It is not 00:17:47.540 --> 00:17:48.580 some sceptical 00:17:48.580 --> 00:17:49.740 21st century 00:17:49.740 --> 00:17:50.420 philosopher. 00:17:50.960 --> 00:17:51.380 It is not 00:17:51.380 --> 00:17:52.080 some angry 00:17:52.080 --> 00:17:52.700 atheist that 00:17:52.700 --> 00:17:53.680 suddenly realises 00:17:53.680 --> 00:17:53.980 this as if 00:17:53.980 --> 00:17:54.220 you've never 00:17:54.220 --> 00:17:54.640 thought about 00:17:54.640 --> 00:17:55.080 it before. 00:17:56.040 --> 00:17:56.660 We don't 00:17:56.660 --> 00:17:57.340 have to wait 00:17:57.340 --> 00:17:57.920 for some 00:17:57.920 --> 00:17:59.320 tragedy to 00:17:59.320 --> 00:17:59.900 strike. 00:18:00.420 --> 00:18:00.840 No, it is 00:18:00.840 --> 00:18:01.440 raised in the 00:18:01.440 --> 00:18:01.660 Bible. 00:18:01.759 --> 00:18:02.019 It is raised 00:18:02.019 --> 00:18:02.480 all over the 00:18:02.480 --> 00:18:02.740 Bible. 00:18:04.440 --> 00:18:05.300 The Bible is 00:18:05.300 --> 00:18:06.000 the place where 00:18:06.000 --> 00:18:06.519 this issue is 00:18:06.519 --> 00:18:06.800 raised. 00:18:06.900 --> 00:18:07.580 It spells it 00:18:07.580 --> 00:18:08.300 out plainly. 00:18:08.580 --> 00:18:09.400 The marvellous 00:18:09.400 --> 00:18:09.800 and the 00:18:09.800 --> 00:18:10.200 mysterious 00:18:10.200 --> 00:18:10.960 providence of 00:18:10.960 --> 00:18:11.240 God. 00:18:11.519 --> 00:18:11.800 What an 00:18:11.800 --> 00:18:12.340 honest book 00:18:12.340 --> 00:18:13.040 the Bible is. 00:18:13.160 --> 00:18:16.960 How can we 00:18:16.960 --> 00:18:17.680 get perspective 00:18:17.680 --> 00:18:18.160 on this? 00:18:20.180 --> 00:18:21.019 Matthew says 00:18:21.019 --> 00:18:21.880 that the 00:18:21.880 --> 00:18:23.420 incident is a 00:18:23.420 --> 00:18:24.000 fulfilment of 00:18:24.000 --> 00:18:24.380 prophecy. 00:18:25.279 --> 00:18:26.100 Verse 18, 00:18:26.220 --> 00:18:26.500 can you see 00:18:26.500 --> 00:18:26.960 that verse? 00:18:27.279 --> 00:18:27.800 That comes 00:18:27.800 --> 00:18:28.240 from Jeremiah 00:18:28.240 --> 00:18:29.600 31 verse 15. 00:18:31.519 --> 00:18:32.360 And Matthew 00:18:32.360 --> 00:18:33.180 takes that text 00:18:33.180 --> 00:18:33.640 from Jeremiah 00:18:33.640 --> 00:18:34.720 31 verse 15 00:18:34.720 --> 00:18:35.680 about Rachel, 00:18:35.920 --> 00:18:36.900 Jacob's wife, 00:18:38.180 --> 00:18:39.220 and Jeremiah's 00:18:39.220 --> 00:18:39.660 prophecy in 00:18:39.660 --> 00:18:40.080 verse 31. 00:18:40.079 --> 00:18:41.159 and in verse 00:18:41.159 --> 00:18:42.539 15 he 00:18:42.539 --> 00:18:44.079 pictures Rachel 00:18:44.079 --> 00:18:44.939 personified. 00:18:46.619 --> 00:18:47.500 And Rachel is 00:18:47.500 --> 00:18:48.220 weeping and 00:18:48.220 --> 00:18:48.919 mourning and 00:18:48.919 --> 00:18:50.039 wailing over her 00:18:50.039 --> 00:18:50.299 children. 00:18:50.399 --> 00:18:50.859 Who is her 00:18:50.859 --> 00:18:51.179 children? 00:18:53.539 --> 00:18:53.879 Well, in 00:18:53.879 --> 00:18:54.419 Jeremiah chapter 00:18:54.419 --> 00:18:55.220 31 it's either 00:18:55.220 --> 00:18:55.919 the northern 00:18:55.919 --> 00:18:57.159 kingdom of 00:18:57.159 --> 00:18:58.539 Israel being 00:18:58.539 --> 00:18:59.199 taken into 00:18:59.199 --> 00:18:59.819 captivity to 00:18:59.819 --> 00:19:00.980 Assyria or 00:19:00.980 --> 00:19:01.740 it's the southern 00:19:01.740 --> 00:19:04.079 kingdom going 00:19:04.079 --> 00:19:04.720 into captivity 00:19:04.720 --> 00:19:05.359 in Babylon. 00:19:05.359 --> 00:19:06.559 it's her 00:19:06.559 --> 00:19:07.319 children being 00:19:07.319 --> 00:19:07.979 taken away to 00:19:07.979 --> 00:19:08.439 captivity. 00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:11.159 But Rachel, 00:19:11.299 --> 00:19:12.059 the mother of 00:19:12.059 --> 00:19:13.719 Israel, is 00:19:13.719 --> 00:19:14.419 weeping over 00:19:14.419 --> 00:19:15.359 her sons and 00:19:15.359 --> 00:19:16.099 daughters because 00:19:16.099 --> 00:19:16.659 they're being 00:19:16.659 --> 00:19:17.619 carted off into 00:19:17.619 --> 00:19:18.059 exile. 00:19:19.219 --> 00:19:20.279 And she refuses 00:19:20.279 --> 00:19:21.279 to be consoled. 00:19:22.959 --> 00:19:24.299 She refuses to 00:19:24.299 --> 00:19:24.899 be comforted 00:19:24.899 --> 00:19:25.759 because she says 00:19:25.759 --> 00:19:26.319 at the end of 00:19:26.319 --> 00:19:26.899 verse 18, 00:19:27.000 --> 00:19:27.679 they are no 00:19:27.679 --> 00:19:28.299 more. 00:19:28.500 --> 00:19:29.019 What has that 00:19:29.019 --> 00:19:29.659 got to say? 00:19:29.660 --> 00:19:33.259 It's interesting 00:19:33.259 --> 00:19:33.700 when you look at 00:19:33.700 --> 00:19:34.140 Jeremiah chapter 00:19:34.140 --> 00:19:35.140 31, that 00:19:35.140 --> 00:19:36.180 verse 15 of 00:19:36.180 --> 00:19:37.759 Jeremiah 31 is 00:19:37.759 --> 00:19:38.940 the only negative 00:19:38.940 --> 00:19:39.660 verse in the 00:19:39.660 --> 00:19:40.040 whole of the 00:19:40.040 --> 00:19:40.420 chapter. 00:19:43.100 --> 00:19:44.060 If you break 00:19:44.060 --> 00:19:45.540 Jeremiah 31 up 00:19:45.540 --> 00:19:46.180 into the sections 00:19:46.180 --> 00:19:46.720 that it should be 00:19:46.720 --> 00:19:47.279 broken up into, 00:19:47.580 --> 00:19:48.620 it comes to 10 00:19:48.620 --> 00:19:49.400 sections of 00:19:49.400 --> 00:19:50.120 prophecy, of 00:19:50.120 --> 00:19:51.140 speaking the word 00:19:51.140 --> 00:19:51.500 of the Lord, 00:19:51.580 --> 00:19:52.600 of prediction. 00:19:53.680 --> 00:19:55.060 And every one 00:19:55.060 --> 00:19:56.600 of those sections 00:19:56.600 --> 00:19:57.840 is positive and 00:19:57.840 --> 00:19:58.900 helpful, even 00:19:58.900 --> 00:19:59.640 joyful and 00:19:59.640 --> 00:20:00.240 tone. 00:20:03.840 --> 00:20:04.540 And this is 00:20:04.540 --> 00:20:04.860 the point. 00:20:04.960 --> 00:20:05.460 When the New 00:20:05.460 --> 00:20:06.640 Testament cites 00:20:06.640 --> 00:20:08.480 a verse from 00:20:08.480 --> 00:20:09.200 a chapter in 00:20:09.200 --> 00:20:09.740 the Old 00:20:09.740 --> 00:20:11.900 Testament, which 00:20:11.900 --> 00:20:12.520 they frequently 00:20:12.520 --> 00:20:13.200 do, they 00:20:13.200 --> 00:20:14.240 frequently cite 00:20:14.240 --> 00:20:15.380 one-liners, 00:20:16.100 --> 00:20:17.120 they expect you 00:20:17.120 --> 00:20:18.140 to look at the 00:20:18.140 --> 00:20:19.300 whole of the 00:20:19.300 --> 00:20:19.860 Old Testament 00:20:19.860 --> 00:20:20.380 chapter. 00:20:21.780 --> 00:20:22.380 They expect you 00:20:22.380 --> 00:20:22.940 to look at that 00:20:22.940 --> 00:20:23.600 little verse in 00:20:23.600 --> 00:20:24.000 the Old Testament 00:20:24.000 --> 00:20:25.020 but look at the 00:20:25.020 --> 00:20:25.920 context which it 00:20:25.920 --> 00:20:26.480 comes in. 00:20:28.140 --> 00:20:28.480 And after 00:20:28.480 --> 00:20:29.420 Jeremiah states 00:20:29.420 --> 00:20:29.820 this about 00:20:29.820 --> 00:20:30.300 Rachel and 00:20:30.300 --> 00:20:30.740 weeping for 00:20:30.740 --> 00:20:31.240 her children, 00:20:31.840 --> 00:20:32.620 the answer to 00:20:32.620 --> 00:20:33.360 it comes from 00:20:33.360 --> 00:20:34.120 Yahweh, the 00:20:34.120 --> 00:20:34.740 God of Israel 00:20:34.740 --> 00:20:35.180 in the next 00:20:35.180 --> 00:20:35.400 line. 00:20:35.500 --> 00:20:35.820 So let me 00:20:35.820 --> 00:20:36.300 read it to 00:20:36.300 --> 00:20:36.800 you. 00:20:38.100 --> 00:20:39.060 Jeremiah 31. 00:20:39.059 --> 00:20:43.240 this is what it 00:20:43.240 --> 00:20:43.579 says. 00:20:43.579 --> 00:20:46.019 Thus says the 00:20:46.019 --> 00:20:46.899 Lord, keep your 00:20:46.899 --> 00:20:47.519 voice from 00:20:47.519 --> 00:20:49.419 weeping and 00:20:49.419 --> 00:20:50.259 your eyes from 00:20:50.259 --> 00:20:52.200 tears, for 00:20:52.200 --> 00:20:52.819 there is a 00:20:52.819 --> 00:20:53.839 reward for 00:20:53.839 --> 00:20:54.639 your work, 00:20:55.379 --> 00:20:55.960 declares the 00:20:55.960 --> 00:20:56.240 Lord. 00:20:57.039 --> 00:20:57.700 And they 00:20:57.700 --> 00:20:58.679 shall come back 00:20:58.679 --> 00:20:59.259 from the land 00:20:59.259 --> 00:20:59.839 of the enemy. 00:21:00.259 --> 00:21:01.099 There is hope 00:21:01.099 --> 00:21:02.720 for your 00:21:02.720 --> 00:21:03.139 future. 00:21:03.140 --> 00:21:03.200 future. 00:21:05.200 --> 00:21:05.740 Do you see 00:21:05.740 --> 00:21:06.220 what God is 00:21:06.220 --> 00:21:06.480 saying? 00:21:08.420 --> 00:21:09.000 God is 00:21:09.000 --> 00:21:10.480 saying, and 00:21:10.480 --> 00:21:10.880 it doesn't 00:21:10.880 --> 00:21:11.400 take all the 00:21:11.400 --> 00:21:11.980 pain away, it 00:21:11.980 --> 00:21:12.640 really doesn't. 00:21:13.759 --> 00:21:14.400 It doesn't take 00:21:14.400 --> 00:21:14.780 all the pain 00:21:14.780 --> 00:21:15.140 away on the 00:21:15.140 --> 00:21:15.540 spot, but 00:21:15.540 --> 00:21:15.840 what the 00:21:15.840 --> 00:21:16.120 Lord is 00:21:16.120 --> 00:21:16.680 saying, look, 00:21:17.560 --> 00:21:18.080 you think 00:21:18.080 --> 00:21:18.580 that you can 00:21:18.580 --> 00:21:19.520 write finished 00:21:19.520 --> 00:21:21.040 over, over 00:21:21.040 --> 00:21:22.240 the history of 00:21:22.240 --> 00:21:22.660 Israel. 00:21:23.860 --> 00:21:24.680 But in those 00:21:24.680 --> 00:21:25.600 moments, he 00:21:25.600 --> 00:21:26.060 says, keep 00:21:26.060 --> 00:21:26.540 your eyes 00:21:26.540 --> 00:21:27.120 from tears. 00:21:27.119 --> 00:21:29.019 they will 00:21:29.019 --> 00:21:29.539 come back 00:21:29.539 --> 00:21:29.879 from the 00:21:29.879 --> 00:21:30.339 land of 00:21:30.339 --> 00:21:30.879 your enemy 00:21:30.879 --> 00:21:31.479 and there 00:21:31.479 --> 00:21:32.179 is hope 00:21:32.179 --> 00:21:32.919 for your 00:21:32.919 --> 00:21:33.359 future. 00:21:35.719 --> 00:21:36.219 And Matthew 00:21:36.219 --> 00:21:36.759 takes that 00:21:36.759 --> 00:21:37.099 over. 00:21:38.799 --> 00:21:39.199 And what 00:21:39.199 --> 00:21:39.779 does he want 00:21:39.779 --> 00:21:40.759 us to hear? 00:21:41.699 --> 00:21:42.479 He wants us 00:21:42.479 --> 00:21:43.099 to see that 00:21:43.099 --> 00:21:44.339 just as again 00:21:44.339 --> 00:21:45.179 in Bethlehem, 00:21:45.359 --> 00:21:46.059 Rachel and 00:21:46.059 --> 00:21:46.739 Israel come 00:21:46.739 --> 00:21:47.639 into awful 00:21:47.639 --> 00:21:48.819 suffering, this 00:21:48.819 --> 00:21:49.419 situation. 00:21:53.759 --> 00:21:54.519 Yet there 00:21:54.519 --> 00:21:55.119 is hope. 00:21:57.119 --> 00:21:58.099 There is 00:21:58.099 --> 00:21:59.099 hope for 00:21:59.099 --> 00:22:00.259 the grieving 00:22:00.259 --> 00:22:02.059 parents of 00:22:02.059 --> 00:22:03.059 their sons 00:22:03.059 --> 00:22:06.659 in their 00:22:06.659 --> 00:22:08.659 son, the 00:22:08.659 --> 00:22:09.159 firstborn 00:22:09.159 --> 00:22:09.539 son. 00:22:12.099 --> 00:22:12.559 And even 00:22:12.559 --> 00:22:13.619 afreshly, God's 00:22:13.619 --> 00:22:15.579 people are a 00:22:15.579 --> 00:22:16.299 suffering people, 00:22:16.839 --> 00:22:17.339 aren't we? 00:22:18.419 --> 00:22:18.939 And the 00:22:18.939 --> 00:22:19.399 message of 00:22:19.399 --> 00:22:20.059 Jeremiah still 00:22:20.059 --> 00:22:21.039 holds that even 00:22:21.039 --> 00:22:21.879 though God's 00:22:21.879 --> 00:22:22.419 people are a 00:22:22.419 --> 00:22:23.039 suffering people, 00:22:23.139 --> 00:22:23.779 they are not a 00:22:23.779 --> 00:22:24.579 hopeless people. 00:22:24.579 --> 00:22:27.059 And the 00:22:27.059 --> 00:22:27.839 path of 00:22:27.839 --> 00:22:28.220 God's 00:22:28.220 --> 00:22:29.960 kingdom is 00:22:29.960 --> 00:22:30.579 wet with 00:22:30.579 --> 00:22:31.059 tears. 00:22:33.199 --> 00:22:33.879 There's no 00:22:33.879 --> 00:22:34.559 avoiding that. 00:22:35.879 --> 00:22:36.439 Jesus says, 00:22:36.639 --> 00:22:37.359 marvel, don't 00:22:37.359 --> 00:22:38.599 marvel not if 00:22:38.599 --> 00:22:38.899 the world 00:22:38.899 --> 00:22:39.519 hates you. 00:22:41.199 --> 00:22:41.639 And he's 00:22:41.639 --> 00:22:42.079 saying to you 00:22:42.079 --> 00:22:42.740 very, very 00:22:42.740 --> 00:22:43.480 clearly this 00:22:43.480 --> 00:22:45.759 morning, there 00:22:45.759 --> 00:22:46.159 is this 00:22:46.159 --> 00:22:46.659 mysterious 00:22:46.659 --> 00:22:47.439 providence of 00:22:47.439 --> 00:22:47.740 God. 00:22:47.740 --> 00:22:47.779 God. 00:22:50.099 --> 00:22:50.900 And what we 00:22:50.900 --> 00:22:51.380 do then is 00:22:51.380 --> 00:22:52.220 we live by 00:22:52.220 --> 00:22:54.460 faith beneath 00:22:54.460 --> 00:22:56.400 the mysterious 00:22:56.400 --> 00:22:56.980 providence of 00:22:56.980 --> 00:22:57.220 God. 00:22:58.660 --> 00:22:59.279 And it 00:22:59.279 --> 00:22:59.839 means that we 00:22:59.839 --> 00:23:00.299 don't, we 00:23:00.299 --> 00:23:01.160 refuse to 00:23:01.160 --> 00:23:01.819 bring up 00:23:01.819 --> 00:23:03.400 simple, easy 00:23:03.400 --> 00:23:04.500 answers for 00:23:04.500 --> 00:23:05.779 such issues so 00:23:05.779 --> 00:23:06.319 that they can be 00:23:06.319 --> 00:23:07.380 made rosy and 00:23:07.380 --> 00:23:08.279 cosy again. 00:23:08.279 --> 00:23:17.920 And as God 00:23:17.920 --> 00:23:18.599 preserved the 00:23:18.599 --> 00:23:18.920 infant 00:23:18.920 --> 00:23:19.559 stevia from 00:23:19.559 --> 00:23:20.500 the knives of 00:23:20.500 --> 00:23:25.019 Herod, even 00:23:25.019 --> 00:23:25.660 in our weeping 00:23:25.660 --> 00:23:26.299 and our tears 00:23:26.299 --> 00:23:27.079 and our anguish 00:23:27.079 --> 00:23:27.960 over strange 00:23:27.960 --> 00:23:28.660 providence, he 00:23:28.660 --> 00:23:29.440 still says to 00:23:29.440 --> 00:23:29.879 you and I, 00:23:30.000 --> 00:23:30.660 there is hope. 00:23:31.180 --> 00:23:31.759 There is hope. 00:23:32.700 --> 00:23:33.359 There's hope for 00:23:33.359 --> 00:23:33.819 your future. 00:23:36.440 --> 00:23:37.119 Matthew wants 00:23:37.119 --> 00:23:37.700 to take you to 00:23:37.700 --> 00:23:38.259 Bethlehem. 00:23:39.460 --> 00:23:39.880 And then he 00:23:39.880 --> 00:23:40.340 wants to take 00:23:40.340 --> 00:23:40.539 you to 00:23:40.539 --> 00:23:41.019 Nazareth. 00:23:41.980 --> 00:23:42.720 He wants to 00:23:42.720 --> 00:23:43.059 take you to 00:23:43.059 --> 00:23:43.740 Nazareth to 00:23:43.740 --> 00:23:44.080 see the 00:23:44.080 --> 00:23:45.980 humiliation of 00:23:45.980 --> 00:23:46.600 God's son. 00:23:47.940 --> 00:23:48.580 Nazareth is 00:23:48.580 --> 00:23:49.160 his third 00:23:49.160 --> 00:23:50.039 stop in 00:23:50.039 --> 00:23:50.660 verses 19 00:23:50.660 --> 00:23:51.299 to 23. 00:23:53.319 --> 00:23:53.940 Joseph wants 00:23:53.940 --> 00:23:54.279 to go back 00:23:54.279 --> 00:23:54.680 to Judah, 00:23:54.819 --> 00:23:55.200 probably to 00:23:55.200 --> 00:23:55.779 Bethlehem again, 00:23:55.840 --> 00:23:56.360 but he finds 00:23:56.360 --> 00:23:56.920 out that, 00:23:57.299 --> 00:23:59.000 what's he 00:23:59.000 --> 00:23:59.200 called, 00:23:59.279 --> 00:23:59.940 Alcalaus or 00:23:59.940 --> 00:24:00.660 whatever, is 00:24:00.660 --> 00:24:01.220 ruling in the 00:24:01.220 --> 00:24:01.640 place of his 00:24:01.640 --> 00:24:02.400 father Herod, 00:24:02.740 --> 00:24:03.360 and like 00:24:03.360 --> 00:24:04.140 father, like 00:24:04.140 --> 00:24:04.500 son. 00:24:05.980 --> 00:24:06.299 And he 00:24:06.299 --> 00:24:06.620 doesn't want 00:24:06.620 --> 00:24:07.019 to go back 00:24:07.019 --> 00:24:07.279 there, so 00:24:07.279 --> 00:24:07.759 being warned 00:24:07.759 --> 00:24:08.200 in a dream, 00:24:08.299 --> 00:24:08.759 he goes up 00:24:08.759 --> 00:24:09.379 north to 00:24:09.379 --> 00:24:10.599 Galilee, and 00:24:10.599 --> 00:24:11.180 it says he 00:24:11.180 --> 00:24:12.019 settled there, 00:24:12.079 --> 00:24:12.539 doesn't it? 00:24:13.359 --> 00:24:14.160 He settled 00:24:14.160 --> 00:24:14.799 there in a 00:24:14.799 --> 00:24:16.099 city called 00:24:16.099 --> 00:24:16.859 Nazareth, so 00:24:16.859 --> 00:24:17.220 that what was 00:24:17.220 --> 00:24:17.779 spoken by the 00:24:17.779 --> 00:24:18.240 prophets might 00:24:18.240 --> 00:24:18.779 be fulfilled, 00:24:18.879 --> 00:24:19.180 and he would 00:24:19.180 --> 00:24:19.619 be called a 00:24:19.619 --> 00:24:20.079 Nazarene. 00:24:20.160 --> 00:24:21.039 Now, why 00:24:21.039 --> 00:24:22.240 this place? 00:24:23.519 --> 00:24:24.019 Why all this 00:24:24.019 --> 00:24:24.500 festival of 00:24:24.500 --> 00:24:24.980 Nazareth? 00:24:26.500 --> 00:24:27.639 Notice he 00:24:27.639 --> 00:24:29.539 says, so what 00:24:29.539 --> 00:24:30.200 was spoken by 00:24:30.200 --> 00:24:30.579 the prophets, 00:24:30.680 --> 00:24:31.079 he doesn't 00:24:31.079 --> 00:24:32.019 just cite one 00:24:32.019 --> 00:24:32.819 particular one, 00:24:33.759 --> 00:24:34.259 so you don't 00:24:34.259 --> 00:24:34.799 have an exact 00:24:34.799 --> 00:24:35.599 quote to find, 00:24:35.599 --> 00:24:39.000 but he 00:24:39.000 --> 00:24:39.219 will be 00:24:39.219 --> 00:24:39.539 called a 00:24:39.539 --> 00:24:40.259 Nazarene. 00:24:42.039 --> 00:24:42.819 Matthew says, 00:24:42.899 --> 00:24:43.359 why all the 00:24:43.359 --> 00:24:43.740 fuss, why 00:24:43.740 --> 00:24:44.139 worry about 00:24:44.139 --> 00:24:44.339 that? 00:24:44.679 --> 00:24:45.059 The word 00:24:45.059 --> 00:24:46.199 Nazar means 00:24:46.199 --> 00:24:47.619 branch, there's 00:24:47.619 --> 00:24:48.339 an illusion I 00:24:48.339 --> 00:24:48.619 think to 00:24:48.619 --> 00:24:49.399 Hebrews 11, 00:24:49.619 --> 00:24:50.039 you know Hebrews 00:24:50.039 --> 00:24:50.459 11, do you 00:24:50.459 --> 00:24:50.779 remember that? 00:24:51.079 --> 00:24:51.799 The tree that 00:24:51.799 --> 00:24:53.399 is cut down 00:24:53.399 --> 00:24:54.919 on a stump, 00:24:55.219 --> 00:24:55.639 there's a 00:24:55.639 --> 00:24:56.179 stump in the 00:24:56.179 --> 00:24:56.679 field and a 00:24:56.679 --> 00:24:57.179 root will come 00:24:57.179 --> 00:24:57.839 out of 00:24:57.839 --> 00:25:01.019 Jesse, and 00:25:01.019 --> 00:25:01.519 that is a 00:25:01.519 --> 00:25:02.199 fulfillment of 00:25:02.199 --> 00:25:02.699 this, he will 00:25:02.699 --> 00:25:03.139 be called a 00:25:03.139 --> 00:25:03.779 Nazarene, but 00:25:03.779 --> 00:25:04.579 what is all 00:25:04.579 --> 00:25:05.079 this fuss 00:25:05.079 --> 00:25:05.500 about it? 00:25:07.759 --> 00:25:08.339 Nazareth had a 00:25:08.339 --> 00:25:09.099 bad reputation, 00:25:09.619 --> 00:25:10.039 as did 00:25:10.039 --> 00:25:10.639 Galilee in 00:25:10.639 --> 00:25:11.039 general. 00:25:12.500 --> 00:25:12.899 The folk 00:25:12.899 --> 00:25:13.579 down south 00:25:13.579 --> 00:25:15.119 around Jerusalem, 00:25:15.539 --> 00:25:15.819 the kind of 00:25:15.819 --> 00:25:16.500 more true 00:25:16.500 --> 00:25:17.460 blue Jews, 00:25:17.939 --> 00:25:18.199 who had a 00:25:18.199 --> 00:25:18.759 more straight 00:25:18.759 --> 00:25:19.419 base Judaism, 00:25:19.619 --> 00:25:20.159 they always 00:25:20.159 --> 00:25:21.279 looked with a 00:25:21.279 --> 00:25:22.039 sceptical eye 00:25:22.039 --> 00:25:23.460 on Galilee. 00:25:24.139 --> 00:25:24.619 Galilee was 00:25:24.619 --> 00:25:25.819 regarded with 00:25:25.819 --> 00:25:26.439 contempt. 00:25:28.000 --> 00:25:28.419 There was a 00:25:28.419 --> 00:25:28.879 saying, if you 00:25:28.879 --> 00:25:29.199 want to get 00:25:29.199 --> 00:25:29.779 rich, go 00:25:29.779 --> 00:25:30.339 north, and 00:25:30.339 --> 00:25:30.619 if you want 00:25:30.619 --> 00:25:31.199 to get wise, 00:25:31.339 --> 00:25:31.939 go south. 00:25:31.940 --> 00:25:34.140 north around 00:25:34.140 --> 00:25:34.660 Galilee, that 00:25:34.660 --> 00:25:35.019 was where the 00:25:35.019 --> 00:25:35.640 trade was. 00:25:36.240 --> 00:25:36.660 The south 00:25:36.660 --> 00:25:37.000 was the 00:25:37.000 --> 00:25:37.420 study of 00:25:37.420 --> 00:25:37.700 the law 00:25:37.700 --> 00:25:38.259 of God. 00:25:42.080 --> 00:25:42.620 And they 00:25:42.620 --> 00:25:42.920 were saying 00:25:42.920 --> 00:25:43.259 you can't 00:25:43.259 --> 00:25:43.779 be prosperous 00:25:43.779 --> 00:25:45.140 and pious. 00:25:46.400 --> 00:25:46.820 Galilee was 00:25:46.820 --> 00:25:47.660 more open to 00:25:47.660 --> 00:25:48.880 outside influences, 00:25:49.080 --> 00:25:49.660 more interaction 00:25:49.660 --> 00:25:50.240 with pagans, 00:25:50.299 --> 00:25:50.759 they were less 00:25:50.759 --> 00:25:51.380 strict in their 00:25:51.380 --> 00:25:51.700 religious 00:25:51.700 --> 00:25:52.360 observances. 00:25:53.580 --> 00:25:54.220 True Jews 00:25:54.220 --> 00:25:55.440 regarded Galilee, 00:25:55.539 --> 00:25:56.259 that area, with a 00:25:56.259 --> 00:25:56.840 kind of quizzical 00:25:56.840 --> 00:25:57.140 look. 00:25:58.500 --> 00:25:59.320 And Nazareth in 00:25:59.320 --> 00:25:59.640 particular. 00:25:59.640 --> 00:26:01.840 even other 00:26:01.840 --> 00:26:02.900 Galileans seem 00:26:02.900 --> 00:26:03.580 to regard 00:26:03.580 --> 00:26:04.420 Nazareth with 00:26:04.420 --> 00:26:04.820 repose. 00:26:04.880 --> 00:26:05.120 So in 00:26:05.120 --> 00:26:05.740 John's Gospel, 00:26:06.100 --> 00:26:06.920 Nathaniel from 00:26:06.920 --> 00:26:07.860 Cana in 00:26:07.860 --> 00:26:08.820 Galilee, when 00:26:08.820 --> 00:26:09.380 he was told 00:26:09.380 --> 00:26:09.720 that the 00:26:09.720 --> 00:26:10.340 Messiah was 00:26:10.340 --> 00:26:11.160 from Nazareth, 00:26:11.259 --> 00:26:11.520 he said, 00:26:11.600 --> 00:26:12.020 what are you 00:26:12.020 --> 00:26:12.580 kidding me? 00:26:12.860 --> 00:26:13.500 Can anything 00:26:13.500 --> 00:26:14.140 good come out 00:26:14.140 --> 00:26:14.540 of Nazareth? 00:26:16.980 --> 00:26:17.600 And that's 00:26:17.600 --> 00:26:17.980 why Matthew 00:26:17.980 --> 00:26:18.640 has to explain 00:26:18.640 --> 00:26:19.040 this. 00:26:20.500 --> 00:26:21.200 How can you 00:26:21.200 --> 00:26:21.560 have someone 00:26:21.560 --> 00:26:22.320 who is really 00:26:22.320 --> 00:26:23.040 the Messiah 00:26:23.040 --> 00:26:23.740 coming from 00:26:23.740 --> 00:26:24.400 such a rotten 00:26:24.400 --> 00:26:25.240 place like 00:26:25.240 --> 00:26:25.880 Nazareth? 00:26:25.880 --> 00:26:29.300 I'm trying 00:26:29.300 --> 00:26:29.520 to think 00:26:29.520 --> 00:26:29.640 the 00:26:29.640 --> 00:26:31.680 first one's 00:26:31.680 --> 00:26:32.120 ridiculous. 00:26:32.780 --> 00:26:34.340 But when I 00:26:34.340 --> 00:26:34.860 was growing up, 00:26:34.940 --> 00:26:35.740 two years before 00:26:35.740 --> 00:26:36.320 I went to 00:26:36.320 --> 00:26:37.080 my high school, 00:26:37.840 --> 00:26:39.440 the Welsh 00:26:39.440 --> 00:26:39.900 school, 00:26:40.060 --> 00:26:40.440 Astrol 00:26:40.440 --> 00:26:40.860 Goven 00:26:40.860 --> 00:26:41.420 Goir, 00:26:41.700 --> 00:26:43.180 took and 00:26:43.180 --> 00:26:43.660 were given 00:26:43.660 --> 00:26:44.440 our lower 00:26:44.440 --> 00:26:44.780 school. 00:26:45.720 --> 00:26:45.960 And I 00:26:45.960 --> 00:26:46.220 think it's 00:26:46.220 --> 00:26:46.500 fair to 00:26:46.500 --> 00:26:47.380 say the 00:26:47.380 --> 00:26:47.660 school I 00:26:47.660 --> 00:26:47.920 went to, 00:26:47.980 --> 00:26:48.220 Gowden 00:26:48.220 --> 00:26:49.580 Comprehensive, 00:26:49.740 --> 00:26:50.540 hated Astrol 00:26:50.540 --> 00:26:50.780 Goven 00:26:50.780 --> 00:26:51.140 Goir. 00:26:51.900 --> 00:26:52.680 As far as I 00:26:52.680 --> 00:26:52.980 was aware, 00:26:53.080 --> 00:26:53.900 we had never 00:26:53.900 --> 00:26:54.600 lost a rugby 00:26:54.600 --> 00:26:55.200 game to them. 00:26:55.200 --> 00:26:55.480 It was 00:26:55.480 --> 00:26:56.080 unthinkable. 00:26:56.940 --> 00:26:57.380 We treated 00:26:57.380 --> 00:26:57.759 them with 00:26:57.759 --> 00:26:58.420 absolute 00:26:58.420 --> 00:26:59.319 disgust. 00:27:00.640 --> 00:27:00.960 And you 00:27:00.960 --> 00:27:01.440 always knew 00:27:01.440 --> 00:27:01.779 that no 00:27:01.779 --> 00:27:02.380 matter who 00:27:02.380 --> 00:27:02.700 you played 00:27:02.700 --> 00:27:03.000 in rugby 00:27:03.000 --> 00:27:03.340 during the 00:27:03.340 --> 00:27:03.440 year, 00:27:03.500 --> 00:27:03.640 there was 00:27:03.640 --> 00:27:04.039 always one 00:27:04.039 --> 00:27:04.299 game you 00:27:04.299 --> 00:27:04.680 would win, 00:27:05.039 --> 00:27:05.660 Astrol Goven 00:27:05.660 --> 00:27:06.100 Goir. 00:27:08.019 --> 00:27:08.779 I can't 00:27:08.779 --> 00:27:09.120 stand them 00:27:09.120 --> 00:27:09.580 even now, 00:27:09.700 --> 00:27:09.840 really. 00:27:11.340 --> 00:27:11.860 We looked 00:27:11.860 --> 00:27:12.360 down on 00:27:12.360 --> 00:27:12.539 them. 00:27:13.380 --> 00:27:13.640 John 00:27:13.640 --> 00:27:14.259 Hartson 00:27:14.259 --> 00:27:14.779 went to 00:27:14.779 --> 00:27:15.299 Astrol Goven 00:27:15.299 --> 00:27:15.519 Goir, 00:27:15.600 --> 00:27:15.980 that kind 00:27:15.980 --> 00:27:16.340 of person. 00:27:18.319 --> 00:27:18.620 And what 00:27:18.620 --> 00:27:19.019 Matthew is 00:27:19.019 --> 00:27:19.400 saying is 00:27:19.400 --> 00:27:20.279 Jesus grew 00:27:20.279 --> 00:27:20.720 up in 00:27:20.720 --> 00:27:21.660 Astrol Goven 00:27:21.660 --> 00:27:22.000 Goir. 00:27:22.000 --> 00:27:25.240 And the 00:27:25.240 --> 00:27:25.799 reaction that 00:27:25.799 --> 00:27:26.359 I had as 00:27:26.359 --> 00:27:26.819 a teenager 00:27:26.819 --> 00:27:27.200 to that 00:27:27.200 --> 00:27:27.500 school, 00:27:27.599 --> 00:27:27.980 that is the 00:27:27.980 --> 00:27:28.599 reaction people 00:27:28.599 --> 00:27:29.339 had towards 00:27:29.339 --> 00:27:29.839 somebody in 00:27:29.839 --> 00:27:30.319 Nazareth. 00:27:32.019 --> 00:27:32.420 Can't you 00:27:32.420 --> 00:27:32.660 have a 00:27:32.660 --> 00:27:33.240 Messiah who 00:27:33.240 --> 00:27:33.500 was a 00:27:33.500 --> 00:27:33.759 little bit 00:27:33.759 --> 00:27:34.480 more class 00:27:34.480 --> 00:27:36.000 than to 00:27:36.000 --> 00:27:36.420 grow up and 00:27:36.420 --> 00:27:36.880 live in a 00:27:36.880 --> 00:27:37.380 place like 00:27:37.380 --> 00:27:37.779 that? 00:27:39.779 --> 00:27:40.099 And he 00:27:40.099 --> 00:27:40.279 had to 00:27:40.279 --> 00:27:40.779 explain to 00:27:40.779 --> 00:27:41.119 Jews who 00:27:41.119 --> 00:27:41.319 would be 00:27:41.319 --> 00:27:41.920 offended and 00:27:41.920 --> 00:27:42.079 have a 00:27:42.079 --> 00:27:42.519 problem with 00:27:42.519 --> 00:27:42.720 that. 00:27:43.079 --> 00:27:43.420 And that 00:27:43.420 --> 00:27:43.680 is why 00:27:43.680 --> 00:27:44.039 Matthew 00:27:44.039 --> 00:27:44.579 goes to 00:27:44.579 --> 00:27:44.940 the problem 00:27:44.940 --> 00:27:45.180 and he 00:27:45.180 --> 00:27:45.380 says, 00:27:45.440 --> 00:27:45.680 wait a 00:27:45.680 --> 00:27:45.799 minute, 00:27:45.920 --> 00:27:46.500 there was a 00:27:46.500 --> 00:27:46.880 line in 00:27:46.880 --> 00:27:47.259 prophecy, 00:27:47.259 --> 00:27:48.140 people saw 00:27:48.140 --> 00:27:49.279 those things 00:27:49.279 --> 00:27:49.779 as mutually 00:27:49.779 --> 00:27:50.339 exclusive. 00:27:51.700 --> 00:27:52.039 They thought 00:27:52.039 --> 00:27:52.480 you can't 00:27:52.480 --> 00:27:52.819 have a 00:27:52.819 --> 00:27:53.519 Messiah, 00:27:53.740 --> 00:27:54.099 God's 00:27:54.099 --> 00:27:54.599 chosen king 00:27:54.599 --> 00:27:55.039 who comes 00:27:55.039 --> 00:27:56.000 from Nazareth. 00:27:56.240 --> 00:27:56.539 It would be 00:27:56.539 --> 00:27:56.940 like saying 00:27:56.940 --> 00:27:57.319 the Pope 00:27:57.319 --> 00:27:57.559 is a 00:27:57.559 --> 00:27:58.119 Presbyterian, 00:27:58.220 --> 00:27:58.879 you can't 00:27:58.879 --> 00:27:59.359 have those 00:27:59.359 --> 00:27:59.660 things, 00:27:59.740 --> 00:28:00.119 it can't 00:28:00.119 --> 00:28:00.420 be. 00:28:02.000 --> 00:28:02.480 And Matthew 00:28:02.480 --> 00:28:02.779 says, 00:28:02.859 --> 00:28:03.200 but that's 00:28:03.200 --> 00:28:03.400 what's 00:28:03.400 --> 00:28:03.819 prophesied 00:28:03.819 --> 00:28:04.460 in God's 00:28:04.460 --> 00:28:04.839 word. 00:28:05.839 --> 00:28:06.160 That the 00:28:06.160 --> 00:28:06.920 Messiah would 00:28:06.920 --> 00:28:07.720 really have 00:28:07.720 --> 00:28:08.200 humble 00:28:08.200 --> 00:28:09.000 associations. 00:28:11.099 --> 00:28:11.740 Do you 00:28:11.740 --> 00:28:12.200 see God's 00:28:12.200 --> 00:28:12.539 humility? 00:28:12.539 --> 00:28:17.119 Let me 00:28:17.119 --> 00:28:17.460 read to 00:28:17.460 --> 00:28:17.700 you from 00:28:17.700 --> 00:28:18.000 J.C. 00:28:18.039 --> 00:28:18.240 Ryle. 00:28:18.299 --> 00:28:18.440 In 00:28:18.440 --> 00:28:18.920 Nazareth, 00:28:19.119 --> 00:28:19.399 the Lord 00:28:19.399 --> 00:28:20.119 Jesus lived 00:28:20.119 --> 00:28:21.000 thirty years. 00:28:21.819 --> 00:28:22.139 It was 00:28:22.139 --> 00:28:22.500 there he 00:28:22.500 --> 00:28:22.899 grew up, 00:28:23.019 --> 00:28:23.500 from infancy 00:28:23.500 --> 00:28:24.159 to childhood, 00:28:24.339 --> 00:28:24.839 from childhood 00:28:24.839 --> 00:28:25.519 to boyhood, 00:28:25.879 --> 00:28:26.159 and from 00:28:26.159 --> 00:28:26.659 boyhood to 00:28:26.659 --> 00:28:26.960 youth, 00:28:27.000 --> 00:28:27.220 and from 00:28:27.220 --> 00:28:27.659 youth to 00:28:27.659 --> 00:28:27.980 man's 00:28:27.980 --> 00:28:28.359 estate. 00:28:28.720 --> 00:28:29.059 We know 00:28:29.059 --> 00:28:29.519 little of 00:28:29.519 --> 00:28:29.920 the manner 00:28:29.920 --> 00:28:30.299 in which 00:28:30.299 --> 00:28:30.839 those thirty 00:28:30.839 --> 00:28:31.299 years are 00:28:31.299 --> 00:28:31.700 spent. 00:28:32.200 --> 00:28:32.519 That he 00:28:32.519 --> 00:28:33.039 was subject 00:28:33.039 --> 00:28:33.539 to Mary 00:28:33.539 --> 00:28:34.079 and Joseph 00:28:34.079 --> 00:28:34.819 were expressly 00:28:34.819 --> 00:28:35.159 told. 00:28:35.420 --> 00:28:35.680 That he 00:28:35.680 --> 00:28:36.119 worked in 00:28:36.119 --> 00:28:36.599 the carpenter 00:28:36.599 --> 00:28:37.099 shop with 00:28:37.099 --> 00:28:37.619 Joseph is 00:28:37.619 --> 00:28:37.839 highly 00:28:37.839 --> 00:28:38.299 probable. 00:28:38.759 --> 00:28:39.119 We only 00:28:39.119 --> 00:28:39.639 know that 00:28:39.639 --> 00:28:40.920 almost five 00:28:40.920 --> 00:28:41.619 sixth of 00:28:41.619 --> 00:28:42.119 the time 00:28:42.119 --> 00:28:42.519 that the 00:28:42.519 --> 00:28:43.019 saviour of 00:28:43.019 --> 00:28:43.359 the world 00:28:43.359 --> 00:28:43.700 was on 00:28:43.700 --> 00:28:43.980 earth, 00:28:44.059 --> 00:28:44.619 was passed 00:28:44.619 --> 00:28:45.119 among the 00:28:45.119 --> 00:28:45.500 poor of 00:28:45.500 --> 00:28:46.099 this world, 00:28:46.519 --> 00:28:47.160 and passed 00:28:47.160 --> 00:28:47.779 in complete 00:28:47.779 --> 00:28:48.339 retirement. 00:28:48.859 --> 00:28:49.400 Truly this 00:28:49.400 --> 00:28:50.000 was humility. 00:28:51.359 --> 00:28:51.900 Let us learn 00:28:51.900 --> 00:28:52.440 wisdom from 00:28:52.440 --> 00:28:53.000 our saviour's 00:28:53.000 --> 00:28:53.460 example. 00:28:53.940 --> 00:28:54.200 We are, 00:28:54.279 --> 00:28:54.799 most of us, 00:28:54.879 --> 00:28:55.240 far too 00:28:55.240 --> 00:28:55.700 ready to 00:28:55.700 --> 00:28:56.160 seek great 00:28:56.160 --> 00:28:56.579 things in 00:28:56.579 --> 00:28:56.940 this world. 00:28:57.019 --> 00:28:57.259 Let us 00:28:57.259 --> 00:28:57.579 seek them 00:28:57.579 --> 00:28:57.900 not. 00:28:58.879 --> 00:28:59.160 To have a 00:28:59.160 --> 00:28:59.460 place, 00:28:59.519 --> 00:29:00.019 a title, 00:29:00.099 --> 00:29:00.579 a position 00:29:00.579 --> 00:29:01.319 in society 00:29:01.319 --> 00:29:01.720 is not 00:29:01.720 --> 00:29:02.279 nearly so 00:29:02.279 --> 00:29:02.720 important as 00:29:02.720 --> 00:29:03.299 people think. 00:29:04.279 --> 00:29:04.720 It is a 00:29:04.720 --> 00:29:05.220 great sin 00:29:05.220 --> 00:29:05.480 to be 00:29:05.480 --> 00:29:05.940 covetous, 00:29:06.079 --> 00:29:06.599 and worldly 00:29:06.599 --> 00:29:07.220 and proud, 00:29:07.579 --> 00:29:08.139 but it is 00:29:08.139 --> 00:29:08.720 no sin to 00:29:08.720 --> 00:29:09.099 be poor. 00:29:10.019 --> 00:29:10.599 It matters 00:29:10.599 --> 00:29:11.200 not so much 00:29:11.200 --> 00:29:12.000 what money we 00:29:12.000 --> 00:29:12.519 have and 00:29:12.519 --> 00:29:12.900 where we 00:29:12.900 --> 00:29:13.460 live as 00:29:13.460 --> 00:29:13.759 what we 00:29:13.759 --> 00:29:14.119 are in 00:29:14.119 --> 00:29:14.480 the sight 00:29:14.480 --> 00:29:14.980 of God. 00:29:15.940 --> 00:29:16.440 Where are 00:29:16.440 --> 00:29:16.819 we going 00:29:16.819 --> 00:29:17.180 when we 00:29:17.180 --> 00:29:17.559 die? 00:29:18.920 --> 00:29:19.319 Shall we 00:29:19.319 --> 00:29:19.960 live forever 00:29:19.960 --> 00:29:20.339 in heaven? 00:29:20.460 --> 00:29:20.839 These are the 00:29:20.839 --> 00:29:21.359 main things 00:29:21.359 --> 00:29:21.759 to which we 00:29:21.759 --> 00:29:22.279 should attend. 00:29:22.279 --> 00:29:25.519 I was in 00:29:25.519 --> 00:29:26.259 McDonald's on 00:29:26.259 --> 00:29:27.000 Friday, 00:29:27.079 --> 00:29:27.339 I know it 00:29:27.339 --> 00:29:27.480 was the 00:29:27.480 --> 00:29:27.720 day of 00:29:27.720 --> 00:29:28.059 fasting, 00:29:28.839 --> 00:29:29.139 but I 00:29:29.139 --> 00:29:29.379 ended up 00:29:29.379 --> 00:29:29.799 studying at 00:29:29.799 --> 00:29:29.960 the moment 00:29:29.960 --> 00:29:30.220 so I'm 00:29:30.220 --> 00:29:30.599 working in 00:29:30.599 --> 00:29:30.799 different 00:29:30.799 --> 00:29:31.359 coffee shops 00:29:31.359 --> 00:29:32.299 and you 00:29:32.299 --> 00:29:32.500 tend to 00:29:32.500 --> 00:29:32.720 get to 00:29:32.720 --> 00:29:33.420 mid-afternoon 00:29:33.420 --> 00:29:34.480 and even 00:29:34.480 --> 00:29:34.980 McDonald's 00:29:34.980 --> 00:29:35.660 coffee tastes 00:29:35.660 --> 00:29:35.899 good. 00:29:36.299 --> 00:29:36.680 So I was 00:29:36.680 --> 00:29:37.079 in there, 00:29:37.879 --> 00:29:38.619 working away 00:29:38.619 --> 00:29:38.920 and not 00:29:38.920 --> 00:29:39.139 eating, 00:29:39.240 --> 00:29:39.559 I promise 00:29:39.559 --> 00:29:39.819 you. 00:29:41.799 --> 00:29:42.819 It was a 00:29:42.819 --> 00:29:43.099 remarkable 00:29:43.099 --> 00:29:43.480 afternoon 00:29:43.480 --> 00:29:43.759 really, 00:29:43.960 --> 00:29:44.920 in that I 00:29:44.920 --> 00:29:45.200 don't know 00:29:45.200 --> 00:29:45.480 how it 00:29:45.480 --> 00:29:45.639 happened, 00:29:45.700 --> 00:29:45.940 but a 00:29:45.940 --> 00:29:46.579 fight broke 00:29:46.579 --> 00:29:47.019 out between 00:29:47.019 --> 00:29:47.879 two girls. 00:29:48.920 --> 00:29:49.700 One was a 00:29:49.700 --> 00:29:50.339 Polish girl 00:29:50.339 --> 00:29:50.740 and one 00:29:50.740 --> 00:29:51.459 was a 00:29:51.459 --> 00:29:51.919 Somali 00:29:51.919 --> 00:29:52.279 girl. 00:29:53.720 --> 00:29:54.339 I don't 00:29:54.339 --> 00:29:54.599 know what 00:29:54.599 --> 00:29:55.220 was said, 00:29:55.639 --> 00:29:56.339 but it 00:29:56.339 --> 00:29:56.819 erupted 00:29:56.819 --> 00:29:57.579 very, 00:29:57.699 --> 00:29:58.159 very quickly. 00:29:59.559 --> 00:29:59.839 And the 00:29:59.839 --> 00:30:00.119 words, 00:30:00.220 --> 00:30:00.459 if I can 00:30:00.459 --> 00:30:01.259 omit the 00:30:01.259 --> 00:30:01.939 expletives, 00:30:02.079 --> 00:30:02.279 are, 00:30:02.399 --> 00:30:02.639 what are 00:30:02.639 --> 00:30:02.959 you looking 00:30:02.959 --> 00:30:03.359 at me, 00:30:03.439 --> 00:30:04.459 you Polish? 00:30:05.659 --> 00:30:06.179 To which 00:30:06.179 --> 00:30:06.779 the response 00:30:06.779 --> 00:30:07.199 was, 00:30:07.679 --> 00:30:08.259 off you, 00:30:08.519 --> 00:30:08.980 Somali 00:30:08.980 --> 00:30:10.619 girl. 00:30:13.139 --> 00:30:13.359 It's 00:30:13.359 --> 00:30:13.659 quite weird, 00:30:13.740 --> 00:30:13.919 I looked 00:30:13.919 --> 00:30:14.399 around and 00:30:14.399 --> 00:30:14.619 kind of 00:30:14.619 --> 00:30:15.099 everybody was 00:30:15.099 --> 00:30:15.959 just working, 00:30:16.439 --> 00:30:17.179 well not working 00:30:17.179 --> 00:30:17.480 normally, 00:30:17.599 --> 00:30:17.879 but eating 00:30:17.879 --> 00:30:18.079 there, 00:30:18.240 --> 00:30:18.699 whatever it 00:30:18.699 --> 00:30:18.919 is. 00:30:20.339 --> 00:30:20.919 And it 00:30:20.919 --> 00:30:21.339 struck me 00:30:21.339 --> 00:30:21.659 doesn't it, 00:30:21.699 --> 00:30:22.279 that both 00:30:22.279 --> 00:30:23.039 immediately 00:30:23.039 --> 00:30:23.519 went to 00:30:23.519 --> 00:30:23.879 where they're 00:30:23.879 --> 00:30:24.220 from, 00:30:25.619 --> 00:30:26.299 and addressed 00:30:26.299 --> 00:30:27.319 each other's 00:30:27.319 --> 00:30:28.799 home country 00:30:28.799 --> 00:30:31.399 with hate 00:30:31.399 --> 00:30:33.119 and shame. 00:30:36.139 --> 00:30:37.220 And both 00:30:37.220 --> 00:30:37.959 were alleging 00:30:37.959 --> 00:30:38.359 they are 00:30:38.359 --> 00:30:39.359 outsiders who 00:30:39.359 --> 00:30:40.259 don't belong. 00:30:43.579 --> 00:30:44.299 And here 00:30:44.299 --> 00:30:44.639 you have 00:30:44.639 --> 00:30:45.000 Jesus, 00:30:45.139 --> 00:30:45.419 don't you? 00:30:47.379 --> 00:30:47.899 The 00:30:47.899 --> 00:30:48.539 Messiah, 00:30:48.740 --> 00:30:49.299 the Son 00:30:49.299 --> 00:30:49.839 of God, 00:30:49.839 --> 00:30:50.859 with humble, 00:30:51.240 --> 00:30:51.879 shameful, 00:30:52.539 --> 00:30:53.399 hated roots. 00:30:55.259 --> 00:30:55.559 Do you 00:30:55.559 --> 00:30:55.879 see how 00:30:55.879 --> 00:30:56.480 Jesus is 00:30:56.480 --> 00:30:57.359 willing to 00:30:57.359 --> 00:30:58.439 stoop and 00:30:58.439 --> 00:30:58.919 take the 00:30:58.919 --> 00:30:59.699 lowest place? 00:31:00.759 --> 00:31:01.359 I don't 00:31:01.359 --> 00:31:01.579 know where 00:31:01.579 --> 00:31:02.059 you're from. 00:31:03.679 --> 00:31:04.299 I don't 00:31:04.299 --> 00:31:04.799 know what 00:31:04.799 --> 00:31:05.259 your background 00:31:05.259 --> 00:31:05.599 is, 00:31:05.699 --> 00:31:06.539 maybe you're 00:31:06.539 --> 00:31:06.939 ashamed. 00:31:09.099 --> 00:31:09.779 Maybe you 00:31:09.779 --> 00:31:10.240 feel an 00:31:10.240 --> 00:31:10.899 outsider, 00:31:11.179 --> 00:31:11.539 even the 00:31:11.539 --> 00:31:11.839 church. 00:31:14.039 --> 00:31:14.699 But do you 00:31:14.699 --> 00:31:15.199 see how 00:31:15.199 --> 00:31:16.159 your saviour 00:31:16.159 --> 00:31:16.519 is not 00:31:16.519 --> 00:31:17.159 ashamed to 00:31:17.159 --> 00:31:17.939 be smeared 00:31:17.939 --> 00:31:18.539 with the 00:31:18.539 --> 00:31:19.139 scummy name 00:31:19.140 --> 00:31:19.759 of Nazareth. 00:31:21.160 --> 00:31:21.480 And this 00:31:21.480 --> 00:31:21.640 is our 00:31:21.640 --> 00:31:22.040 encouragement 00:31:22.040 --> 00:31:22.420 there. 00:31:25.160 --> 00:31:25.740 That if 00:31:25.740 --> 00:31:26.120 you have 00:31:26.120 --> 00:31:26.420 in your 00:31:26.420 --> 00:31:27.140 saviour a 00:31:27.140 --> 00:31:27.759 fugitive, 00:31:27.880 --> 00:31:28.600 a migrant, 00:31:28.860 --> 00:31:29.620 a refugee, 00:31:29.620 --> 00:31:31.680 who grew 00:31:31.680 --> 00:31:32.020 up in a 00:31:32.020 --> 00:31:32.660 despised 00:31:32.660 --> 00:31:33.040 village, 00:31:33.120 --> 00:31:33.340 do you 00:31:33.340 --> 00:31:33.740 think that 00:31:33.740 --> 00:31:34.220 maybe, 00:31:34.360 --> 00:31:35.220 just maybe, 00:31:35.840 --> 00:31:36.540 he might 00:31:36.540 --> 00:31:36.960 be able to 00:31:36.960 --> 00:31:37.780 understand you? 00:31:37.779 --> 00:31:40.259 because the 00:31:40.259 --> 00:31:41.299 centre of 00:31:41.299 --> 00:31:42.259 this passage, 00:31:43.399 --> 00:31:45.039 the centre 00:31:45.039 --> 00:31:45.639 of Luke 00:31:45.639 --> 00:31:46.599 chapter 3, 00:31:47.579 --> 00:31:47.960 is a 00:31:47.960 --> 00:31:48.420 child. 00:31:50.359 --> 00:31:51.279 And amidst 00:31:51.279 --> 00:31:51.779 all the 00:31:51.779 --> 00:31:52.259 geography, 00:31:52.859 --> 00:31:53.359 what Matthew 00:31:53.359 --> 00:31:53.779 wants to 00:31:53.779 --> 00:31:54.119 show you 00:31:54.119 --> 00:31:54.440 is a 00:31:54.440 --> 00:31:54.839 child. 00:31:55.119 --> 00:31:55.500 And don't 00:31:55.500 --> 00:31:55.920 take your 00:31:55.920 --> 00:31:56.440 eyes on 00:31:56.440 --> 00:31:56.740 him. 00:31:58.240 --> 00:31:58.940 And Matthew 00:31:58.940 --> 00:31:59.879 says everywhere 00:31:59.879 --> 00:32:00.480 he went, 00:32:00.599 --> 00:32:01.019 he was a 00:32:01.019 --> 00:32:01.720 fulfilment of 00:32:01.720 --> 00:32:02.099 scripture. 00:32:03.759 --> 00:32:04.279 Spurgeon 00:32:04.279 --> 00:32:04.559 wrote, 00:32:04.680 --> 00:32:05.339 our prince 00:32:05.339 --> 00:32:06.500 steps along 00:32:06.500 --> 00:32:07.319 a pathway 00:32:07.319 --> 00:32:09.019 paved with 00:32:09.019 --> 00:32:09.740 prophecies. 00:32:12.019 --> 00:32:12.680 And he 00:32:12.680 --> 00:32:14.700 is one 00:32:14.700 --> 00:32:14.980 who is 00:32:14.980 --> 00:32:15.359 humble. 00:32:16.819 --> 00:32:17.240 And he 00:32:17.240 --> 00:32:17.539 is one 00:32:17.539 --> 00:32:17.759 who is 00:32:17.759 --> 00:32:18.079 able to 00:32:18.079 --> 00:32:18.420 take the 00:32:18.420 --> 00:32:18.619 lowest 00:32:18.619 --> 00:32:19.039 place. 00:32:19.819 --> 00:32:20.059 Go to 00:32:20.059 --> 00:32:20.440 Egypt. 00:32:21.779 --> 00:32:22.279 Go to 00:32:22.279 --> 00:32:22.859 Bethlehem. 00:32:23.980 --> 00:32:24.500 Go to 00:32:24.500 --> 00:32:24.940 Nazareth. 00:32:25.920 --> 00:32:26.240 Let's 00:32:26.240 --> 00:32:26.480 pray. 00:32:29.579 --> 00:32:30.099 Heavenly 00:32:30.099 --> 00:32:30.359 Father, 00:32:30.440 --> 00:32:30.799 we thank 00:32:30.799 --> 00:32:31.380 you for 00:32:31.380 --> 00:32:32.119 your 00:32:32.119 --> 00:32:32.559 word. 00:32:34.380 --> 00:32:35.119 We thank 00:32:35.119 --> 00:32:35.500 you that 00:32:35.500 --> 00:32:36.740 though there 00:32:36.740 --> 00:32:37.240 were many 00:32:37.240 --> 00:32:37.599 human 00:32:37.599 --> 00:32:37.940 writers, 00:32:38.119 --> 00:32:38.579 there is 00:32:38.579 --> 00:32:39.079 one 00:32:39.079 --> 00:32:39.500 writer. 00:32:40.980 --> 00:32:41.380 The 00:32:41.380 --> 00:32:41.599 Holy 00:32:41.599 --> 00:32:41.920 Spirit 00:32:41.920 --> 00:32:42.880 inspires 00:32:42.880 --> 00:32:44.680 men 00:32:44.680 --> 00:32:45.539 who 00:32:45.539 --> 00:32:45.759 wrote 00:32:45.759 --> 00:32:45.960 your 00:32:45.960 --> 00:32:46.200 word. 00:32:46.279 --> 00:32:46.579 We thank 00:32:46.579 --> 00:32:46.940 you that 00:32:46.940 --> 00:32:47.299 the 00:32:47.299 --> 00:32:47.599 author 00:32:47.599 --> 00:32:47.819 of 00:32:47.819 --> 00:32:48.119 scripture 00:32:48.119 --> 00:32:48.339 is 00:32:48.339 --> 00:32:48.539 God. 00:32:48.640 --> 00:32:48.819 And as 00:32:48.819 --> 00:32:49.200 we see 00:32:49.200 --> 00:32:49.359 the 00:32:49.359 --> 00:32:49.539 Old 00:32:49.539 --> 00:32:49.819 Testament 00:32:49.819 --> 00:32:50.180 and how 00:32:50.180 --> 00:32:50.339 it 00:32:50.339 --> 00:32:50.839 connects, 00:32:51.019 --> 00:32:51.160 Lord, 00:32:51.680 --> 00:32:52.039 and is 00:32:52.039 --> 00:32:52.759 fulfilled in 00:32:52.759 --> 00:32:53.200 your Son, 00:32:53.259 --> 00:32:53.460 the Lord 00:32:53.460 --> 00:32:54.000 Jesus Christ, 00:32:54.059 --> 00:32:54.720 we marvel at 00:32:54.720 --> 00:32:55.180 your wisdom. 00:32:56.000 --> 00:32:56.539 We marvel at 00:32:56.539 --> 00:32:57.099 your grace 00:32:57.099 --> 00:32:57.460 and your 00:32:57.460 --> 00:32:57.819 power. 00:32:59.299 --> 00:32:59.640 We thank 00:32:59.640 --> 00:32:59.900 you that 00:32:59.900 --> 00:33:00.180 there is 00:33:00.180 --> 00:33:00.480 hope. 00:33:00.579 --> 00:33:00.839 There is 00:33:00.839 --> 00:33:01.359 hope for 00:33:01.359 --> 00:33:01.799 the grieving. 00:33:02.299 --> 00:33:02.579 There is 00:33:02.579 --> 00:33:03.099 hope for 00:33:03.099 --> 00:33:03.539 the mourning. 00:33:03.539 --> 00:33:07.180 we thank 00:33:07.180 --> 00:33:07.440 you that 00:33:07.440 --> 00:33:07.740 the Lord 00:33:07.740 --> 00:33:08.420 Jesus is 00:33:08.420 --> 00:33:08.619 your 00:33:08.619 --> 00:33:09.099 firstborn 00:33:09.099 --> 00:33:09.359 son, 00:33:09.420 --> 00:33:09.700 that where 00:33:09.700 --> 00:33:10.139 we have 00:33:10.139 --> 00:33:10.440 failed, 00:33:10.539 --> 00:33:10.779 he has 00:33:10.779 --> 00:33:11.259 succeeded, 00:33:11.480 --> 00:33:12.460 where Israel 00:33:12.460 --> 00:33:13.319 was disobedient, 00:33:13.420 --> 00:33:13.839 he was 00:33:13.839 --> 00:33:14.339 obedient, 00:33:14.539 --> 00:33:15.079 he is 00:33:15.079 --> 00:33:15.319 your 00:33:15.319 --> 00:33:15.779 faithful 00:33:15.779 --> 00:33:16.240 son. 00:33:18.779 --> 00:33:19.180 And we 00:33:19.180 --> 00:33:19.519 thank you 00:33:19.519 --> 00:33:20.879 that Christ 00:33:20.879 --> 00:33:21.359 is not 00:33:21.359 --> 00:33:22.039 ashamed to 00:33:22.039 --> 00:33:22.420 call us 00:33:22.420 --> 00:33:22.700 brothers. 00:33:24.480 --> 00:33:25.159 We thank 00:33:25.159 --> 00:33:25.480 you that 00:33:25.480 --> 00:33:29.059 he came 00:33:29.059 --> 00:33:29.440 from the 00:33:29.440 --> 00:33:30.220 highest to 00:33:30.220 --> 00:33:31.180 live amongst 00:33:31.180 --> 00:33:32.039 the despised. 00:33:32.039 --> 00:33:33.779 may we 00:33:33.779 --> 00:33:34.259 never think 00:33:34.259 --> 00:33:34.639 more of 00:33:34.639 --> 00:33:35.119 ourselves 00:33:35.119 --> 00:33:35.539 than we 00:33:35.539 --> 00:33:35.720 are 00:33:35.720 --> 00:33:36.039 Lord. 00:33:37.220 --> 00:33:37.619 May we 00:33:37.619 --> 00:33:38.359 rejoice that 00:33:38.359 --> 00:33:38.720 there is a 00:33:38.720 --> 00:33:39.299 welcome even 00:33:39.299 --> 00:33:39.839 for us, 00:33:39.960 --> 00:33:40.240 for people 00:33:40.240 --> 00:33:40.779 like us. 00:33:41.759 --> 00:33:42.200 For we 00:33:42.200 --> 00:33:42.659 pray this in 00:33:42.659 --> 00:33:43.180 Jesus' name. 00:33:43.940 --> 00:33:44.279 Amen.