Sermon: The Danger of Opposing Jesus

The Danger of Opposing Jesus

Sermon preached by Pastor Julius Buelow at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Lincoln, NE on December 28, 2025 for Holy Innocents. More info at mtolivelincoln.org

Text: Matthew 2:13-23

13After the Wise Men were gone, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared to Joseph in a dream. He said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, because Herod will search for the child in order to kill him.” 14Joseph got up, took the child and his mother during the night, and left for Egypt. 15He stayed there until the death of Herod. This happened to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.” Herod Kills the Boys 16When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Wise Men, he was furious. He issued orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and in all the surrounding countryside, from two years old and under. This was in keeping with the exact time he had learned from the Wise Men. 17Then what was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: 18A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and she refused to be comforted, because they are no more. Return to Nazareth 19After Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt. The angel said, 20“Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to kill the child are dead.” 21Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. 22But when he heard that Archelaus, Herod’s son, had succeeded his father as ruler in Judea, he was afraid to go there. Since he had been warned in a dream, he went to the region of Galilee. 23When he arrived there, he settled in a city called Nazareth. So what was spoken through the prophets was fulfilled: “He will be called a Nazarene.”

Holy Bible: Evangelical Heritage Version (Milwaukee, WI: Northwestern Publishing House, 2019), Mt 2:13–23.

AI Summary:

The conversation explores the significance of the Festival of the Holy Innocents, reflecting on the biblical narrative of King Herod's actions and the implications of being a child of God. It emphasizes the dangers faced by those who oppose God and the spirit of sacrifice exemplified by the innocent children who died for their faith. The discussion highlights the true essence of Christmas as a time for self-sacrifice and remembrance of those who have suffered for their beliefs.

Takeaways

• The Festival of the Holy Innocents serves as a reminder of the true spirit of Christmas.
• Herod's actions reflect the dangers of opposing God.
• Being a child of God marks one as an enemy of the devil.
• The sacrifice of the Holy Innocents is honored as a testament to faith.
• Jesus' flight to Egypt fulfills Old Testament prophecies.
• The danger of being a child of God is still relevant today.
• Christians face persecution globally, highlighting the cost of faith.
• The true Christmas spirit involves self-sacrifice and love.
• Those who die in faith are promised eternal life.
• The story of the Holy Innocents encourages believers to embrace their faith courageously.