Redemption Amid Tragedy

In Matthew 2:8, Herod instructed the wise men to locate the child who had been born King of Jews so that he may worship Him. When it became obvious to Herod that his wise men were not returning, he became angry. His anger was not due to being unable to worship the newborn King, but rather, he was fearful of the threat that the Christ undoubtedly presented to his reign. His anger was fueled by pride, leading him to order that all male children in Bethlehem and its districts under 2, be put to death. This man’s pride, arrogance, and desire for domination, resulted in the death of several infant males bringing sorrow to countless mothers and fathers. This decision fulfilled what Jeremiah spoke of in Jeremiah 31:15. “A voice was heard in Ramah, Lamentation, weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”  Matthew 2:18

Sin is a powerful disease that takes control of us if we allow it. It can lead us to say and do things with lifelong consequences, not only for us but likewise those around us. It breaks the hearts of the innocent and leaves scars. Jeremiah’s prophecy said, “…these mothers refused to be comforted because their children were no more.” Sometimes, there is no comfort to be found in this life. These mothers would mourn for their children but could not be comforted as far as this life was concerned, because their children were gone.

However, we know that those innocent children went to a place of comfort, rest, and paradise. Despite the horrific actions of Herod and the pain his sin caused, his sin was not bigger than Jesus the Christ! The one thing that would reunite these grieving mothers with their children was preserved. Jesus was not in Bethlehem, because Joseph had taken the difficult journey down to Egypt just as he was commanded. (Matthew 2:13-15) These mothers could not feel comfort in this life because of one man’s decision to commit this horrific sin, but because of one man’s decision to be obedient to what the LORD commanded of him, the opportunity for these mothers to be reunited in a place of comfort with their children in the next life was secured.