Real Life Ministries Newport
**DEC 28** Escape to Egypt (Matthew 2:13-23)
  • Morning By Morning
  • Firm Foundation (He Won't)
  • Holy Forever
  • How Great Is Our God

  • Sermon

    Key Passage

    Matthew 2:13–23 NIV
    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.” So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, 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.” 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. Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: “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.” After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt 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.” So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. 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, 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.

    Introduction

    I hope you had a great Christmas!
    Our passage today is a tremendously powerful story that is only accounted for in Matthew’s Gospel account.
    Today, we will see tragedy, obedience, God’s sovereignty and even some History.
    As I have prepared this passage, it opens my eyes to the tragedy in the world around us, our need to obey and trust in a good God.
    In order to develop the context for this set of events, I want to draw a few verses from last weeks sermon into our text today:
    Matthew 2:1–12 NIV
    After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: “ ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
    This is how the story of the Magi ends in their visit to Jesus.
    Last week, we saw them engage this journey over a long distance to find the Messiah.
    When they came to Bethlehem, they aske Herod where the King of the Jews was to be born.
    When Herod asked around, he discovered that this King, this Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem.
    Herod instructed the Magi to go find the child, then return to him
    We see the nefarious intent in Herod. He did not intend to worship Jesus.
    Instead, He intended to kill him and kill the threat to his throne.
    Before we get into our text today, I want to take a journey through the Herodian dynasty.
    This is important for us to understand so we can grasp what is happening around the timeline of Jesus’ birth and life.
    The reason we are doing this is because this is the political context that the life story of Jesus is painted upon.
    As we uncover the political context, we will find that this is important here at the birth of Jesus, the death of John the Baptist, and also the death of Jesus Himself.
    It all went through this political system, so we need to understand this before we fully dive in.
    If you were here with us in March of 2023, I did a similar teaching on the Herodian Dynasty.
    I really had fun teaching that, so hopefully you do too!
    Now we ask the question, “Who was King Herod?”
    Let’s begin with the word “King”
    Herod is mentioned as “King Herod” here in Matthew 2:1.
    Slide Herod Family Tree 1
    Herod the Great
    This will be cause for some confusion as you read the Bible. This line of people that span for 9 generations of history are called the Herodian Dynasty.
    Many of the men in this family tree carried the name of Herod in some way.
    That is why when you see “Herod” it is very wise to ask, “Which Herod from the Herodian Dynasty?”
    Herod the Great became very close friends with Julius Caesar of the Roman Empire.
    This happened because Herod the Great gave assistance to the Romans as they invaded Egypt. Because of his help in that event as well as a few other smaller cases, Julius Caesar granted Herod the Great Roman citizenship and appointed him as the “King of Israel”
    There was no question that Caesar was the supreme leader of the Roman Empire, but this was a position that was granted to Herod within that empire.
    Herod the Great had 15 sons from 10 different wives
    His oldest sons began plotting and battling against each other for the rights to this kingdom.
    Eventually, those plots began to evolve into plots against Herod.
    Herod publically had his sons executed for their treachery.
    At the end of Herod’s reign, a group of astrologers came from the east saying that a king had been born in Israel.
    Herod was king, appointed by Caesar himself. He was literally appointed as “King of Israel” or “King of the Jews”
    When the Magi came asking where the “King of the Jews” was to be born, this would have raised his eyebrows as another threat to his position.
    Herod had plans for his succession through three of his sons.
    Some other prophesied king would uproot his dynasty.
    He asked around with some of the Jewish people about this prophecy and had reason enough to fear that this was legitimate
    He ordered all children under the age of two to be killed in Israel.
    This may seem harsh, but this guy had already killed some of his own children to protect his throne. There is no question that he would be willing to kill other peoples children to protect his throne.
    Do you get the idea of why we call him Herod the Great, but not because he was great?
    He was an evil, power-hungry man.
    Of course, we are talking about Jesus’ birth.
    As we see in the Scriptures, Jesus, Mary and Joseph went to Egypt to flee from Herod the Great.
    Matthew 2:13 NIV
    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.”
    When Herod was about to die, he commanded a number of prominent Jewish men to his fortress.
    His order was to have them all killed after he died, so that all of Israel would be in mourning after his death.
    This order was not carried out.
    Slide Herod Family Tree 2
    Herod’s 3 sons were all step-brothers to one another (one dad—Herod— three moms)
    Three of Herod’s sons were given four parts of the kingdom of Israel.
    Slide Map of Herod Rule
    Herod Archelaus
    Herod Archelaus was given rule over the region around Judea and Jerusalem
    Archelaus was a ruthless leader
    This is where he shows up in the Bible.
    After Mary and Joseph went to Egypt, Herod the Great died.
    When Mary and Joseph returned, they were warned in a dream to avoid Judea because the ruthless Herod Archelaus was reigning there.
    Matthew 2:22 NIV
    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,
    Herod Archelaus imposed a heavy tax burden on the Jewish people. The people began asking for tax relief.
    Archelaus killed 3,000 Jews because of their request.
    The Judeans sent a delegation to Rome asking for relief from Archelaus.
    At first it was denied.
    Then when it was sent again, Caesar sent Archelaus into exile and replaced him with a Roman who was loyal to him over the region of Judea, stationed in Jerusalem, named Pontius Pilate.
    You might hear that name show up again later in the book of Matthew.
    The only other significant fact about Herod Archelaus relating to our story today is that he had a daughter.
    His daughter was named Herodius.
    Slide Herod Family Tree 3
    Herod Philip
    Philip was given the region of Israel on the east side of the Jordan river
    We talked briefly about that region a couple of weeks ago when we mentioned the Decapolis.
    Slide Map of Herod Rule
    His area of control is right next to his brother Herod Antipas, who we will talk about next.
    Herod Philip, strangely, married Archelaus’ daughter.
    Keep in mind that Archelaus was a ruthless and brutal man. I believe that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree in this case.
    Herod Philip and Archelaus’ daughter Herodias have a daughter named Solome.
    Slide Herod Family Tree 4
    Herod Antipas
    This is the Herod most prominently mentioned in the story of Jesus. He is the Herod that is over Galilee (the county where Jesus grew up) as well as the region east of Jerusalem.
    Later we will see Pontius Pilate have some discussion as to who’s jurisdiction it would be to hear the trial of Jesus
    Jesus was arrested in Jerusalem— This would be Pontius Pilate’s issue
    But Jesus was from Galilee— This would be Herod Antipas’ issue
    Herod Antipas had struck up a relationship with Herodias and she left Herod Philip and now became likely one of Herod Antipas’ wives.
    Solome also went with Herodias.
    Solome was the daughter that danced before Antipas, then went to her mother Herodius and then asked for the head of JTB.
    Slide of Herod Family Tree 5
    This is a gross Jerry Springer like situation going on in the ruling class of Israel.
    But this background helps us build an understanding of what happens in this story.
    Is anyone grossed out yet?
    Herod and his family were not Jewish. But they had been given authority over the Jews in Israel.
    They had no reason to lead these people in a representative way.
    All they wanted was people to exert authority over. And they did so, ruthlessly—As we will discover today.

    Preaching Time

    Matthew 2:13 NIV
    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.”
    When the Magi had gone, leaving the home of Mary and Joseph, an angel again appeared to Joseph.
    The angel told Joseph, take your family and go to Egypt right now.
    Herod the Great is going to search for Jesus and try to kill Him.
    Joseph had already had one dream of an angel telling him to marry Mary.
    Now the angel returns and says, “You need to leave right now.”
    Matthew 2:14 NIV
    So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt,
    We have already talked about the quiet faithfulness of Joseph. He doesn’t speak a single word that is recorded in the Bible. He is a silent character, but God uses him mightily.
    First, he is immediately obedient to God and takes Mary to be his wife
    Mary did not have to endure God’s “favor” alone.
    Now, God goes to Joseph and says, “Leave now.’
    It appears that Joseph woke up and packed up the family and left immediately.
    There was no delay. There was no asking God for confirmation.
    God had spoken. Joseph obeyed immediately.
    There is a point that Joseph brings to my heart.

    Delayed obedience is disobedience

    I want to step into our lives today.
    This means that we will fast-forward a couple thousand years.
    What has happened since then is that Jesus died on the cross.
    He ascended into Heaven
    The Holy Spirit has come and indwelt everyone who has placed their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior, Messiah, and Lord (as the angels proclaimed the Gospel two weeks ago).
    One of the things the Holy Spirit does within us is convict us of sin and guide us into the truth.
    John 16:13 NIV
    But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth.
    What does Jesus say the Holy Spirit’s name is? He is the Spirit of Truth.
    What will the Spirit of Truth do? The Spirit of Truth will lead us into all truth.
    Jesus Himself said that He is the Way the TRUTH and the life.
    One of the aspects of the Holy Spirit is the conviction of sin, through the guiding us into the truth.
    If the Holy Spirit only convicted of sin, we would be hopeless. But the Holy Spirit guides us, and lead us, and directs us into the truth. We don’t simply stop sinning. That isn’t the point.
    The point is that we step closer to Jesus, closer to the truth.
    This is discipleship
    We follow Jesus
    We are changed by Jesus
    We replace the lies in our lives with the truth of Jesus Christ
    We become fishers of men and bring other people to Jesus through discipleship.
    This will look unique in every one of our lives. The Holy Spirit will work with you How He wants to work in you for His glory.
    Because of this, we need to get back to the principle of our verse: Obedience delayed is disobedience
    If you asked your kids to clean their room. And they say, “I’ll clean it later”, then plop down on the couch and play video games, would you call that obedience?
    Neither would I
    When we take time in our services to examine our lives and God brings to our attention sin that has plagued us for years (in some cases).
    We have this view in our minds, “I need to get to that one of these days.” We are missing the point the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
    There is no instruction from God that is too small or unimportant that it does not demand immediate obedience like Joseph.
    For those of you, myself included, may Joseph be our reminder this morning to get off of the bus of complacency and take obedience to God seriously.
    God want’s to be glorified in our lives and our disobedience prevents this.
    Matthew 2:14–15 NIV
    So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, 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.”
    Joseph got up and immediately packed and went to Egypt.
    Matthew interjects an important fact for the reader.
    Matthew shows us why this event is important:
    He points to Hosea 11:1 and quotes a prophecy that the Son of God would come out of Egypt.
    We can go into a ton of depth and symbolism about this, and (as always) I encourage you to do deeper study into the Scriptures in your own time.
    But this acknowledges the sovereignty of God.
    God is not limited to our sets of circumstances and events. He doesn’t play with coincidence.
    God knows History before it happens. God is in control in a situation that seems out of control.
    Matthew 2:16
    This massive tragedy in Israel takes place.
    Herod is psychotically power-hungry and wants no threat to his throne.
    He hears that the Magi went home without returning to tell him what they found.
    The Greek text here gives us insight into what Herod felt had happened:
    The phrase “outwitted” translates into a big Greek word:
    Empaizo— ridiculed, mocked, made fun of
    Herod felt that the Magi had made fun of his kingship. This was a massive hit to his pride.
    In fury, he responds by ordering all of the children in Bethlehem to be killed.
    This ruthless leader had killed his own children and now killed the children of Bethlehem.
    God in His sovereignty knew these events as well.
    Matthew again gives the editorial comment that even this deep tragedy was known by God before it happened.
    Matthew 2:17–18 NIV
    Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: “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.”
    The act of King Herod brought the death of numerous children in Israel.
    This is a horrific act by an equally horrific man.
    I want to open our eyes up to this.
    We all know we live in a broken world.
    Ever since sin entered the world in Genesis 3, we see that sin doesn’t just impact humanity, but it also impacts all of creation.
    On one hand, we may see that God protected Jesus from the sin and injustice of this world, but didn’t choose to protect the other kids.
    At a cursory level, this seems legit.
    But, ultimately did God protect Jesus from the destructive consequences of sin in this world.
    No. Jesus did die by the hands of Herod. Just a different Herod at a different time.
    He didn’t give Jesus any special treatment.
    But I did probe a question this week.
    Why couldn’t Jesus have died right here?
    He was as sinless as He was when He went to the cross later.
    Couldn’t this have counted as Jesus paying the penalty of death in our place?

    Jesus did not only come to die

    This may be an odd thing for us to hear. When we listen to the Gospel, it seems that the death of Jesus is the only reason for His arrival.
    I ask, what did the life of Jesus provide for us other than His death?
    He is our saviour and we see that in His death. We would not have life if not for His death.
    Jesus revealed the Father
    John 14:9 NIV
    Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
    Jesus was God in the flesh. His life showed us who God is.
    If we want to know God, we look at Jesus.
    Jesus revealed the Father
    Jesus showed us how to live
    John 13:13–15 NIV
    “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.
    Jesus provided a living example of what it looks like to live a life of righteousness.
    He provided a model of living that we can follow
    Jesus revealed the Father
    Jesus showed us how to live
    Jesus showed us how to love
    Jesus showed us what relationship with the Father looks like.
    Not some empty religious practice.
    Rather, He showed us what a genuine love relationship with the Father looks like.
    Matthew 3:17 NIV
    And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
    Jesus experienced the love of the Father and He showed us how to live in the love of the Father.
    Five times in the Gospel accounts, Jesus identifies that He is loved by the Father.
    Jesus models His life in a way that we see a life that is committed to the Father and a life that lives out of a love for the Father
    He modeled prayer, living and truth.
    Also, Jesus showed us what love of one another looks like.
    John 13:34–35 NIV
    “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
    Jesus revealed the Father
    Jesus showed us how to live
    Jesus showed us how to love
    Jesus introduced us to the Kingdom
    Jesus introduces the Kingdom. He has been announced as the Messiah or King.
    As we progress through this book, we will find that Matthew’s view of the Kingdom is synonymous with his view of discipleship.
    Those who are surrendered to Jesus in discipleship are the ones who are identified as the Kingdom of God.
    We have to engage into discipleship in order to mature in a light of hope to the world and alignment with Jesus.
    We surrender to the King through discipleship.
    There are a bunch more reasons. In fact, we are reading the Gospel account of Matthew because we see that Jesus lived and showed us the heart of God in His lifetime.

    Our lives mean more than death

    I want to bridge this quickly for us this morning.
    Just like Jesus life meant more than just His death. Our lives mean more than just our death and going to Heaven.
    We are called to a life of knowing Jesus, growing closer to Him in intimacy.
    Philippians 1:3–6 (NIV) I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
    We are in process with God
    God is glorified in our lives as we live for Him.
    The day of completion is coming, but until then, the work He does within us is good.
    Matthew 2:19–20 NIV
    After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt 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.”
    They stay in Egypt until Herod the Great dies.
    It is during this time that the kingdom of Israel is divided up into the four regions and the three sons of Herod take their respective roles of authority.
    Matthew 2:21–23 NIV
    So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. 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, 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.
    This concludes our passage.

    Conclusion – Key Takeaways

    God is sovereign, even when the world is chaotic
    Herod’s rage, political corruption, and unspeakable tragedy were not surprises to God.
    God was not absent—He was actively at work, fulfilling His purposes even through human evil.
    God often works through quiet, obedient faithfulness
    Joseph never speaks, yet he obeys immediately, repeatedly, and sacrificially.
    God entrusted the safety of His Son to a man who simply listened and obeyed.
    Delayed obedience is disobedience
    Joseph didn’t wait for clarity, comfort, or convenience—he moved when God spoke.
    The Holy Spirit still speaks today, and obedience still requires urgency.
    Jesus came for more than just the cross
    His life revealed the Father, modeled righteousness, demonstrated love, and introduced the Kingdom.
    Salvation includes transformation, discipleship, and surrender—not just a future destination.
    Our lives matter now, not just after death
    God is actively shaping us, forming Christ in us, and using us for His glory.
    We are participants in His Kingdom work today.
    God guides His people step by step
    Egypt, Israel, Galilee, Nazareth—each move was directed by God.
    Faithfulness often looks like taking the next right step, even when the whole picture isn’t clear.

    Narrative Conclusion

    Matthew closes this chapter not with triumph, but with movement.
    A family on the run. A tyrant exposed. A child spared. And a future quietly unfolding in an overlooked town called Nazareth.
    This is not how we would write the story of the Messiah.
    There is no palace. No army. No political victory. Just a carpenter, a young mother, and a child carried through danger by obedience and trust.
    And yet—every step is exactly where God intended them to be.
    Joseph obeyed when it didn’t make sense. God ruled when evil seemed to win. Jesus lived—not just to die, but to show us who God is, how to live, how to love, and how to belong to His Kingdom.
    And now, that same call reaches us.
    Not just to believe in Jesus’ death—but to follow Him in life. Not to delay obedience—but to respond when God speaks. Not to wait for heaven—but to live faithfully now.
    So the question Matthew quietly leaves us with is this:
    Will we, like Joseph, trust God enough to obey Him immediately— even when the road is uncertain, even when the cost is high, even when the world feels out of control?
    Because the same God who guided His Son through danger is still guiding His children today.
    And He is not finished with us yet.
    Gospel Presentation
    Directed Prayer
    Communion

      • Matthew 2:13–23NIV2011

      • Matthew 2:1–12NIV2011

      • Matthew 2:13NIV2011

      • Matthew 2:22ESV

      • Matthew 2:13NIV2011

      • Matthew 2:14NIV2011

      • John 16:13NIV2011

      • Matthew 2:14–15NIV2011

      • Matthew 2:16NIV2011

      • Matthew 2:17–18NIV2011

      • John 14:9NIV2011

      • John 13:13–15NIV2011

      • Matthew 3:17NIV2011

      • John 13:34–35NIV2011

      • Matthew 2:19–20NIV2011

      • Matthew 2:21–23NIV2011

  • My King Forever
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