SLAUGHTER OF INNOCENTS!

SLAUGHTER OF INNOCENTS!

Matt 2:13-18

13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:

15 And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.

17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying,

18 In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

          Yesterday a young mad man entered a school in Newtown, Connecticut and slew an entire class of elementary school children. The waste and horror of this act defies comprehension yet it is reminiscent of Herod’s slaughter of Bethlehem’s innocents.

                Herod was well known for his cruelty. Emperor Augustus reportedly said it was better to be Herod's sow than his son, for his sow had a better chance of surviving in a Jewish community. In the Greek language, as in English, there is only one letter difference between the words "sow" (‎huos‎) and "son" (‎huios‎). (Bible Knowledge Commentary)

          History is clear that if guns are withheld from mad men they will take up swords. If swords are withheld they will take up stones and if stones are removed they will use their bare hands. Murder does not require much cause. The first murder was over a basket of vegetables when Cain slew his brother Able and hid his body in the sand.

          Jesus escaped Bethlehem’s slaughter only to die on Calvary’s hill but His death purchased life for all who will trust Him. Tear away the wrapping of Christmas and unspeakable cruelties still abound but Jesus came to bring life.

Joy To The World

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.

Dear Jesus, unspeakable horrors still define this cruel world. Comfort all those who mourn today and hurry to rescue those in danger. Let the reality of the human condition remind us of the reason for your birth. Make your blessings flow today far as the curse is found. AMEN