“Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you,” Isaiah 47:16. O child of the human world, do you know who you are? Joseph sat abruptly upright. His forehead and palms were sweaty. His eyes darted about the darkened room and his lungs fought for fresh air. Panic was kicking in. “Mary!” he blurted. Mary woke aggressively shaking off the covers and heading straight for baby Jesus. “What happened!? What happened!?” she shouted as she reached for her child. Her hands and eyes studied Him wildly checking for vital signs. Jesus let out a long agitated infant yelp and Mary was immediately satisfied. Joseph, still groggy, stared at the commotion dumbfounded. Mary nuzzled Jesus for a long moment and Joseph realized that when she was done, he was going to be scolded! “Mary,” he whispered. She glared at him. This could have cost her the entire nights sleep! “Mary,” he tried again, “I have to talk to you.” She glared again. This had better be very important, she thought. Miraculously, Jesus settled back into sleepiness and the young couple snuck into the other room. Mary sat on a cushion and waited. She didn’t dare speak for fear she might say something out of anger. After all, this could really be an urgent matter and she had better find out first.
“We have to leave now,” he said. Mary waited for more. “I dreamed of an angel.” Mary came to attention. This was serious. “He told me to take you and Jesus to Egypt for safety.” Now Joseph waited. Mary slunk back into the wall. Life was turning into something of an adventure she had never hoped for or expected. She missed her family in Nazareth and was just getting used to Bethlehem. But Egypt was a foreign place and very far away. Joseph leaned forward, “Herod is going to try to kill Jesus!” he whispered urgently. “I will tear him limb from limb if he lays one uncircumcised hand on my little boy!” Mary threatened with a finger in Joseph’s face. This is good! Joseph thought with a boyish grin. “What are you grinning at!” Joseph sobered his expression and stood to his feet. He wasn’t worried about getting to Egypt. Mother Hen’s feathers were ruffled. Look out Roman army!
Do you know who you are? “If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died – more than that, who was raised – who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? ….No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord,” Romans 8:31-39.
He loves you as much as He loves the Son…
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