Devotional Thoughts Based on the Glory to God Hymnal

Matthew 2:13-15

Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” 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.”

Matthew 2:13-15 recounts the story of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph in their flight by night to Egypt. Joseph had been wared that Herod sought Jesus in order to kill him. Heeding the angel’s warning, Joseph, Mary, and Jesus fled to Egypt by night and remained there until Herod had died.

The first stanza of “When Jesus Entered Egypt” is based on Matthew 2:13-15. Verses 2 and 3 of the hymn address contemporary situations that relate to Jesus and his family’s experience while living as aliens in a foreign land.

Jesus was a migrant, living as a guest, with the friends and strangers who could offer rest. Do we hold wealth lightly, so that we can share, shelter with the homeless and abundant care? Jesus crosses borders with the wondering poor, searching for a refuge, for an open door. Do our words and actions, answer Jesus plea: Give the lowly welcome, and you welcome me?

The Glory to God commentator states: Human beings create divisions for many political, social, economic, and military reasons, but God is no respecter of the boundaries we erect. Jesus taught us to look for and respect the image of God that can be found in every human being, and to care for “the least of these.”

Prayer

O God, You care for aliens and refugees, for those who are hungry, and for those who have no shelter. You care for migrants and all who are poor. Help us to care for and share with those who are the least of Christ’s brothers and sisters. In His name, we pray. Amen.