Trail of Tears

by Rev. Kirby Williams

Matthew continues to reveal the person and purpose of Jesus Christ with three Old Testament images.

Text: Matthew 2:13-23
Date: 01/31/2010, the Contemporary service.
Series: "Matthew" Part 4

By creating three vivid Old Testament images, based on three separate fulfillment formulas, Matthew completes his nativity story with a profound description of the person and purpose of the Christ. He has previously told us that Jesus' mission was to save His people from their sins. Now the evangelist asks us to "connect the dots" to discover just how He intends to do that. Exploring Scripture from the "Egyptian connection" to the exile, to the tiny town of Nazareth, we will gain a deeper understanding of Christ's necessity as the One who completes and perfects Redemptive History.

1. Introduction
2. Exposition of the text, Matthew 2:13-23.
1. Context
2. The flight to Egypt, vs. 13-15.
1. Joseph's dream, vs. 13.
2. Joseph's obedient response, vs. 14.
3. "Out of Egypt", vs. 15.
1. The source of "false teaching".
2. An ex-patriot community.
3. The "Personification of Israel".
1. Looking at the original text, Hosea 11:1.
2. God's favored "son", Ex. 4:22-23.
3. A "son" with a purpose, Ex. 19:5-6.
4. The failed son, Hosea 11:2,12.
5. The perfect Son.
6. The "Joseph" connection, Gen. 37:25.
3. Herod's Horror, vs. 16-18.
1. Herod protects "his" throne, vs. 16.
2. Birth of a deliverer.
3. A reliable historical document.
4. The tears of Rachel, vs. 17-18.
1. A poignant illustration, vs. 18.
2. The expanded "trail of tears".
3. Hope in tragedy, Jer. 31:31, Rev 21:4.
4. The return of the "Nazarene", vs. 19-23.
1. Joseph's third dream, vs. 19-20.
1. The death of Herod, 19a.
2. The Egyptian connection: the new Moses, vs. 19b-20, Ex. 4:19-20.
2. Joseph's continued obedience, vs. 21.
3. Evil begets evil, vs. 22.
4. Back to Nazareth, vs. 23a.
1. The significance of insignificance, John 1:46.
2. The "lost" prophecy, vs. 23b.
1. A slightly different formula.
2. The Nazirite, Num. 6:2, Mark 1:34, Isa. 4:3.
3. The new "Joseph", Gen. 49:26.
3. Summarizing the return to Nazareth.
1. Jesus is set apart.
2. The Suffering Servant.
3. Application
1. Grounding history in Christ.
2. The end of the "trail of tears".
1. The Egyptian bondage continues.
2. The underlying cause of the "trail of tears".
3. The necessity of the Nazarene.
1. The significance of insignificance.
2. The Holy One of God.
4. Conclusion