Meeting Unexpected Expectations (Matthew 2:13-23)

OUTLINE:

Main Point: Believers embrace Jesus as the one who fulfills unexpected and unknown expectations.

I. The Unearthed Gospel v13-15

II. The Undeterred Gospel v16-18

III. The Unlikely Gospel v19-23

Beyond the Walls (Grace and Growth)

Weekly Reading:

Day 1

Scripture Reading: Matthew 2:13-15, Hosea 11:1, Exodus 4:19

1. How does the irony of Egypt—a place of oppression for Israel—becoming a place of refuge for Jesus challenge your assumptions about where God's safety and provision can be found in your life?

2. Joseph's immediate and dangerous obedience in fleeing to Egypt highlights his trust. What complex or counterintuitive command from God might you be reluctant to obey right now, and how does Joseph's example encourage you?

3. How does understanding Old Testament narratives as "prophetic models" pointing to Jesus deepen your appreciation for the Bible's connections and its focus on His ultimate story, beyond just moral lessons?

Day 2

Scripture Reading: Matthew 2:15b-18, Jeremiah 31

1. How does Herod's ruthless attempt to thwart God's plan, which ultimately fails, strengthen your trust in God's sovereignty even when faced with seemingly overwhelming evil or opposition in the world?

2. The "Rachel weeping" prophecy in Jeremiah came just before a promise of restoration. In moments of profound sorrow or tragedy, how can you cling to the "hope of the Gospel" that God can use even evil for a greater good and ultimate restoration?

3. Where in your life do you need to recognize that "God will not be stopped" by human efforts, and how can resting in that truth free you from anxiety or striving?

Day 3

Scripture Reading: Matthew 2:19-21, Exodus 4:19, Deuteronomy 18:15

1. How does understanding Jesus as the "better Israel"—the faithful Son who does what Israel could not—motivate you to live a life of greater faithfulness and obedience to God's ways?

2. Reflecting on Jesus' escape from Egypt as a "new Exodus," how does the reality of a "new covenant" in Christ transform your daily walk with God and your understanding of forgiveness and relationship with Him?

3. In what ways can you actively embrace and display what it looks like to live faithfully according to God's ways, as modeled by Jesus, in your current sphere of influence?

Day 4

Scripture Reading: Matthew 2:22-23, John 1:46, Isaiah 53:2-3

1. Are there any preconceived notions you hold about where God can or cannot work effectively (e.g., in certain communities, through specific types of people)? How might Jesus' origin from Nazareth expand your perspective?

Day 5

Scripture Reading: Matthew 2:23, Isaiah 11:1, Zechariah 9:9, Acts 24:5, 1 Peter 4:16"

1. How does the irony of "Nazarene" being both a derogatory term and a fulfillment of prophecy deepen your understanding of how God uses humble and unexpected origins to accomplish His grand purposes?

2. If Jesus expected to be mocked and looked down upon, how can you cultivate a resilient spirit that honors Christ when facing scorn or misunderstanding for your Christian "badge"?

3. What is one practical way you can live out the "unlikeliness of the Gospel" this week, embracing your own unexpected role in God's plan and sharing your faith in a way that points to Jesus coming from "nothing" to become "everything"?