Have you ever considered the early years of Mary and Joseph’s marriage and Jesus’s life? Have you thought about the travails and travels they had to overcome? Can you imagine running for your life or the life of your baby? Would you be willing to follow God’s plan to that extent?
Though we all know the story, we may not have thought through the details. Consider that while Mary was pregnant, they went to Bethlehem by Roman order. After the birth of Jesus, they are given a warning that King Herod was seeking to kill their newborn son.
We are not given the specific timeline for the events. Though we are given some hints. They were in Bethlehem for less than two years because Herod commanded all two-year-olds and younger be killed. Herod didn’t live much beyond his commanded massacre. Mary, Joseph, and Jesus likely only lived in Egypt for a year or so. Jesus would have been at least a year old and less than four years old when they returned to Israel.
Having traveled to a faraway country with an infant who was just three months old, I can state it is no simple task. Returning when he was three years old wasn’t much easier. We had all the conveniences of modern day, so I cannot imagine the struggles Mary and Joseph went through. Yet, we do know the precious gifts they received from the three wise men would have provided the means for them to travel and live.
There are a couple quick lessons we can learn in this story. First, when we follow God’s plan, he provides for us along the way. Second, we can overcome far more than we give ourselves credit for, if we will simply take it one day at a time. Too often, we are overcome with the weight of a long-term task because we focus on its enormity. Rather than focusing on the enormity and unknown of it, focus on the next step and trust God will guide you.
I pray we all seek to follow God’s plan for our lives. I pray we trust that God is always with us. I pray each one of us decide to take the next step rather than focusing on the enormous task ahead of us. Follow God’s plan for you. Trust God is with you. Take it one step at a time.
Matthew 2:14-15 Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, “Out of Egypt I have called my son.”
Marty Pressey 