A Close Call for Baby Jesus?

Some events recorded in the gospels of Matthew and Luke regarding the birth of Jesus might lead us to the conclusion that Baby Jesus had a very close brush with death while just an infant.  You probably think I’m referring to the incident where jealous and conniving King Herod, upon learning from eastern magi that a “king of the Jews” had been born, enlisted these wise men to locate this “king” and report back to him.  Through God’s providence, the wise men returned home by another route.  A wrathful and vengeful Herod was thwarted when an angel directed Joseph to take his family to Egypt.

But even before this, Herod had a missed opportunity to try to destroy the babe.  Luke reports that on the eighth day (after birth), the baby was circumcised and named Jesus, “the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived.”  Following 40 days of purification, also according to Jewish law, Joseph and Mary took Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem to present him and consecrate him to the Lord. (Jerusalem was just five miles from Bethlehem).

Right around the corner from the temple, a mere one-tenth of a mile stroll, was the palace of King Herod.  But the king was oblivious to the momentous event happening right under his nose.  In fact, I’d go as far as to say that Satan was also caught napping.  Because God, in his providence, had already assured the well-being of His beloved Son.

Now the identity of Jesus had not been hidden from all.  Angels had proclaimed His birth to shepherds.  And at the temple itself, a righteous man named Simeon took Jesus in his arms and said, in part, “For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” Immediately after this, Anna, an elderly prophetess, came up and “gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.”

I’m reminded by all of this that there are no accidents with God.  The Holy Spirit revealed truth to those who were ready to receive it.  But all was hidden from Herod, who God knew would later seek to destroy Jesus.  As Paul wrote to the Corinthians (1 Cor. 1:20-25), “. . . For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. . . . For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.”

So what appeared to be a close call for Baby Jesus was nothing of the sort.  Even though Jesus was within the grasp of Herod, the king was blinded to the news that brought joy to many.  And Jesus would not be given up to evil men until He did so freely, yielding His life on the cross for our redemption.  

Luke tells us in Luke 2:51 “But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.”  This reminds me once more of God’s providence.  The apostle John tells in his gospel how Jesus declared a mother-son bond between Mary and John.  I can imagine countless hours Mary would have spent recounting the early days of our Lord.  Tales that would be recorded and passed on to all of God’s people.  And as a modern maxim truly states:

 “Wise men still seek Him.”

Note: You may enjoy reading the full text of Simeon and Anna’s encounters with Mary, Joseph, and Jesus.  The full text is in Luke 2:21-40.  You may notice something you had missed, as I did.