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13 When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” 14 So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, 15 where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.” 16 When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. 17 Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: 18 “A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.” 19 After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt 20 and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.” 21 So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, 23 and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene. (Matthew 2:13-23 NIV)
Dear Friend, may this wonderful day made espeically for you by God bring you closer to your dreams of being faithful and fruitful to the Lord. Do not let despair or depression or fear or doubt, nor any other thing deter you from following Jesus. Look deep into His face and see the love that is there for you. You can overcome whatever negative things you think are headed towards you, with His help.
Friends you make in church can be lifelong friends, and that is usally a great thing. My mother was no exception, when it came to a dear friend she met and made in Kingsville who moved away about two or three years before we moved to Houston. Her friend moved South to Harlingen as her husband worked for Missiour Pacific Railroad. They were active members of the Harlingen church and once a week or more, checked into see how each other was doing, and to shared what was not going right in the churches they now belonged to. On one particular day, she called me after one of those conversations and she was livid. "The new pastor in Harlingen said Jesus was an illegal alien!" This is the text that pastor preached on that particular Sunday.
It was a life or death situation for Jesus. The political climate at the time was this: A ruthless, mad, in the sense of insanity, for Herod was a hated man by all who knew him and were subjects under him. Herod had all of his brothers killed for fear they might challenge him for his throne and knowing that whenever he died he was so hated no one would cry for him, orders were given that the top leaders in Jerusalem be killed at the same hour as his death so there would be weeping and wailing at his death. So, to find out that the Magi double-crossed him, infuriated him! He issues an order to have all male children under the age of two in and around Bethlehem be killed; and guess who fit that description? Our Lord and Savior.
In the early days of His life, Jesus was not only the promised Savior but also an immigrant—fleeing from a tyrant king's wrath and seeking refuge in a foreign land. Matthew's account of Jesus' escape into Egypt emphasizes a profound truth: the King of the universe, who had come to save the world, was also a vulnerable refugee, experiencing the uncertainty, danger, and hardship of forced migration.
Jesus’ immigration to Egypt wasn’t a mere historical event; it was a fulfillment of prophecy and a model of God’s heart for the displaced. In the Old Testament, God had called Israel out of Egypt (Hosea 11:1), but now, in the New Testament, God’s Son, Jesus, was called into Egypt to escape violence and death. The irony is clear—while Israel had once been enslaved in Egypt, now, the Savior of Israel was a refugee in that same land.
This journey teaches us several things. First, God does not stand distant from human suffering. He knows what it’s like to be in a place where you do not belong, to seek refuge, to face the threat of violence, and to live under the instability of foreign rule. Second, it reminds us that God’s kingdom is not confined to one place, one people, or one nationality. Jesus came for all people, and in His own life, He demonstrated solidarity with those who are displaced, marginalized, and oppressed.
As we reflect on Jesus’ life as a refugee, we are called to consider how we respond to those who are fleeing from danger and oppression today. The world continues to be filled with refugees, displaced persons, and immigrants who are seeking safety, freedom, and opportunity. How can we, as followers of Christ, offer the same compassion and refuge that He received when He came to us? What would you be willing to do to save your son or daughter's life?
PRAYER: Awesome God of all people, we thank You for Your willingness to enter into our broken world, not just as a mighty king, but as a refugee, one who understands the pain of displacement, fear, and uncertainty. We are in awe of Your humility and Your compassion for the suffering of others. As You sought safety in Egypt, we ask You to help us open our hearts to those who are fleeing from violence, persecution, and hardship. May Your example inspire us to be a refuge for the weary, a safe haven for those in need, and a voice for the voiceless. Lord, we pray for all who are displaced today—grant them peace, protection, and the hope of Your presence. May we reflect Your love in practical ways. This we pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: As we reflect on Jesus' experience as a refugee, let us commit to being agents of compassion in our communities. Reach out to immigrants, refugees, and those in need of support—whether through prayer, tangible resources, or advocacy. Let us remember that in welcoming the stranger, we welcome Christ Himself.
I love you and I thank God for you!
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
