You can listen to the message here:-
http://www.nec.org.au/listen-to-a-sermon-series/name-above-all-names/
Note - the temperature that day in Brisbane at 9:30am was 36 degrees Celsius (96 Fahrenheit) and 90% humidity - it was hot!
So the service was significantly shortened .... including the message.
It would have been a good day to preach about the fires of hell.
Message
Name Above All Names - God’s Son
Matthew 2:15
Read Matthew 2:13-23
When you read through this section you can see a pattern
A decision is made
- Herod wants to kill the child.
- Herod orders all the boys in Bethlehem killed
- Herod’s son is on the throne.
That is the first part of the pattern
The second part of the pattern is that event takes place.
- Joseph Mary and Jesus flee to Egypt.
- All boys 2 years and under are killed
- Joseph Mary and Jesus withdraw to Galilee.
Actions in response to decisions.
The third part of the pattern is a fulfilment quote.
- He will come out of Egypt.
- Mothers refuse to be comforted.
- He will be a Nazarene.
Decisions are made, but all this does is fulfil what God has known well in advance.
Nothing takes God by surprise.
Nothing is out of God’s control.
God is sovereign over all.
Would you agree.
So if God is so sovereign why is his Son in Egypt?
Because that is the name of Jesus that is in that text.
Out of Egypt I have called my Son.
That is another Name Above All Names - God’s Son.
Which is why I asked the question
If God is so sovereign why is his Son in Egypt?
Because when you are the Son of a God you have power.
The dark angels and demons and evil spiritual forces knew about this power.
Matthew 8:29
Context … when Jesus confront Legion.
“What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?”
The disciples knew about this power
Matthew 14:33
Context … Jesus walks on water, saves Peter and stills the storm.
Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
When Gentiles are confronted by Jesus they know about this power
Matthew 24:54
Context … at the crucifixion
When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”
That is how those who met Jesus understood what it meant when you are called the “Son of God”.
And even though they all stood against Him … and eventually brought Him to his death … there is a part of them that really wanted Jesus to be the Son of God. They even taunt Him to try and make Him react.
Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”
“You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!”
He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’”
They treat Him this way because, in a warped manner, they are looking for hope.
If Jesus is the Son of God … and reveals Himself fully as the Son of God … then that means the end of the Roman tyranny.
It’s a power issue.
The Jewish world, and those who were confronted by Jesus understood this.
But the Roman Culture also understood this.
I have a picture of a Roman Coin. It was found in Thessalonica and was made in 27BC.
There is a Greek word inscribed on the coin.
“Theos” … which means “God”.
That is how the Roman Emperors described themselves.
In official letters Augustus used to describe himself as “Imperator Caesar Augustus, son of divine Julius.
Nero … the Emperor who killed Christians … called himself “the son of divine Claudius … great-great grandson of the divine Augustus.
You rule Rome because you are the son of a god. You have power. You have authority.
You don’t end up in Egypt because some lower ranking official … especially an official who is in charge of the useless province of Judea … wants you dead. You stay and you are in charge. That is what it means to be the Son of God.
Yet here we find Jesus … the Son of God … in Egypt.
In many ways it is a logical choice.
In those days Egypt was a very safe place, especially the city of Alexandria. Philo tells us that there were over 1,000,000 Jews – 1/3rd of the city – living there in the first century AD.
And, as a result of the visit by the Magi the cost of the trip … and the cost to stay in Egypt … are covered. God had organised it so that the family is financially cared for.
But that doesn’t make the trip so easy. Travelling at night at that time was not so safe. There is a tradition that the family got at least as far as the village of Metariyeh, not far from the city of Heliopolis. This would make the journey 700km … which would almost take a month to walk … especially with a small child to carry.
And there the family sits, waiting for God to call them back. By all the accounts and definitions He isn’t being treated like the Son of God.
On the run.
In hiding.
Waiting.
It makes no sense … until Matthew gives it sense.
And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.”
Matthew 2:15
This is a quote from Hosea 11:1
Let’s turn to the section and read it. Hosea 11:1-11 (read)
It is a strange passage to apply to Jesus – because in Hosea the focus is on the whole nation of Israel. Israel as a nation is seen as God’s Son. And the nation is rebellious and they have broken God’s heart. The people wouldn’t listen to God despite how loving and caring God was to them. Which doesn’t seem to fit as a description of Jesus at all.
However, we need to look at the bigger picture.
In the past the people of God came out of Egypt. It was meant to be a new start for the people in a new promised land. But instead of using it as a new start, they wasted their relationship with God and ignored Him.
Thorough history God kept on calling out, but the people just kept on going back to old habits. Rebellion and sin were the norm and the Judea continued to be under the power and control of much mightier nations.
It is not working.
The Exodus, as a means of building a faithful nation in the promised land, has failed because the people could not be faithful.
So now God sends His Son down to Egypt.
The Son who will represent all the people.
And when Jesus comes out … it is as if all the people come out with Him again.
God is pressing the reset button.
God is writing a new chapter in history.
The Son of God is in Egypt because God is starting a New Exodus.
Do you see how it works?
We want to see it because it is really important and really exciting.
I’m sure you have heard the phrase “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree”.
It is a saying that relates to family traits that are passed on … I’m thinking specifically from father to son.
Listen again to the words of the Father.
Hosea 11:8-9 (read)
Now let’s listen to the words of the Son.
Luke 22:66-71 (read)
Jesus gives them enough of a testimony to make it possible for them to condemn him.
Not just for the Jews.
But also for the Romans.
Unless you can prove your power as the Son of God you cannot make this claim.
But here is the wonderful reality. Jesus will prove He is the Son of God.
The Father says, “I will not come against you in wrath”
The Son says, “I will take the wrath for you”
Are you the Son of God. You are right in saying that I am.
Ultimately it is this testimony that brings Jesus to the cross.
The same Jesus, who three decades ago started a New Exodus.
Out of Egypt I have called my Son.
Why is the Son of God in Egypt.
Because all the power in the world cannot bring healing to the broken relationship between Man and God.
And all the power in the world cannot deal with sin and rebellion.
It is not about power, it is about relationship.
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
John 3:16-18
There is a New Exodus. God taking people out of slavery … the slavery of sin.
There is a New Relationship … through grace not the law.
There is a New Promised Land … and eternity with the Father.
I am the Son of God
I have come to make all things New.
Let’s not waste this opportunity.
Prayer
