Herod and the Holy Innocents 301207

Summary of sermon preached at St Mary Abbots, 311207

Herod and the Holy Innocents.

Historicity of this story?
v
Meaning of this story?

Matthew- the centrel theme of this Gospel is Old Testamant fulfillment.

Birth of Jesus - as a result of Old Testament expectation...but the fulfillment of that expectation has only just begun.

Herod- (anger/jealousy) evil of the world in contrast to the love of God

Angel - gives the story God's stamp of authority.

Parallel between Exodus 1.15-2.10
escape from the machinations of the wicked King by flight into Egypt v rescue from the machinations of wicked Pharaoh in Egypt (R Brown. Birth of the Messiah)

Introduce concept of Jesus as the New Moses.

Offering us a New Exodus.

All suffering will be transformed through the death and resurrection of the New Moses.

There is now a clear pathway out of exile to freedom.