Popular subjects for many Renaissance painters were Jesus' birth and early life – the Virgin birth was the emphasis for many. Included were often scenes from Jesus’ family’s flee to Egypt, from Matthew 2:13-23. Many of those scenes are not Biblical but are taken from other manuscripts drafted in the first few centuries after His life.
One of my favorites is Virgin of the Rocks (or Madonna of the Rocks) by Leonardo da Vinci. One hangs in the Louvre and another in the National Gallery, London. The painting depicts Virgin Mary, child Jesus, child John the Baptist, and an angel. A common and popular story at the time was how they met in the wilderness along the family’s way (not included in the Bible). It’s fitting that one of my favorite historical figures chose one of my favorite Biblical passages (sort of).
Matthew’s passage recounts the journey of Jesus' family as they flee to Egypt to escape Herod's wrath (killing all male children 2 years old and under in and around Bethlehem) and their later return to Nazareth. It offers profound lessons for our faith and daily lives.
Vulnerability
Jesus' early life reveals His humanity and vulnerability. Despite being the Son of God, He experienced the fragility of human existence. It sets the stage for His death to be real and thus His resurrection to have meaning. This reminds us that we are vulnerable—our struggles are part of being human, and through them, we can relate to Jesus' own experiences and He can relate to ours. Our vulnerability makes our need for God and His grace through Jesus Christ that much more important. While we may not be insulated from all pain and suffering (our humanness), our relationship with God puts that suffering in perspective (there is more to eternal life than this life) and makes it tolerable, survivable, and less debilitating.
Using Our Minds
God directs Joseph in a dream to protect Jesus, showing us that faith involves action and discernment. We are called to use the minds God has given us, not passively float through life like a leaf on a stream but actively seek wisdom and make purposeful decisions. We must choose to follow God’s will. Life does not have to be a pinball machine. While it may feel like it many times, God wants us to choose a path and wants us to choose Him. Of course, having an active prayer life and a relationship with Him helps us to make the right decisions.
The Power of Pausing
Sometimes, like Joseph and Mary waiting in Egypt, we must pause and trust God's timing. Life does not follow our schedules, and God’s plans often require patience and trust rather than immediate answers. That is hard for us to accept. But our faith demands it and it requires our faith.
Submission to God’s Will
Joseph’s obedience to God's direction exemplifies the importance of surrendering to His will. Even when the path is unclear or difficult, faith calls us to trust that God’s plan is greater than our understanding. We must submit to it rather than substituting our own logic. We may never understand why. That is faith.
Unstoppable Influence
Despite Herod's attempts to eliminate Jesus, the power and influence of Christ could not and cannot be stopped. We should be comforted by the undeniable truth that despite Jesus' vulnerability and that of His followers, His influence has survived and given meaning to lives for over 2,000 years and spread worldwide. This reminds us that the strength of Jesus' mission lies not in earthly might but in divine purpose and the transformative power of His life and teachings.
Among the many messages to be derived from this passage, we learn to embrace vulnerability, engage our minds and hearts in faith, patiently wait on God’s timing, submit to His will, and trust in the unstoppable power of Christ’s love and purpose in our lives. What a great way to start the new year!
Readings:
Matthew 2:13-23
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