In Matthew’s Gospel, just after the birth of Jesus, there is a horrific scene. Herod decrees the murder of all the male children in Bethlehem in an attempt to kill the new King of the Jews. Matthew tells the story to mirror the death of the innocent children in Exodus (chapter 1). He makes Jesus into the “Prophet Greater than Moses”. It is a portion of Scripture I quickly pass over because of the horror. I’ve never been able to bring myself to preach about it either.
My mind went directly to that Scripture after news broke of the terrible tragedy in Texas yesterday. Both are painful reminders that evil not only exists but continues to reign in the hearts of humankind. This is the way of our broken and wretched world. In Matthew’s Gospel, he quotes Jeremiah: “A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more” (Matthew 2:18; Jeremiah 31:15). While we wait for the coming of Christ’s kingdom in all of its fullness: Raise up your voice with weeping, grief, and lament. Raise up your voice for justice and safety. Raise up your voice to God who comforts us in all our sorrows so that we can comfort others in their sorrows.
Raising up my voice with you,
Pastor Culynn
To prepare for worship on Sunday
(May 29), you are invited to read:
Philippians 2:1-13