Christ saves, he saves from their sins; from the guilt of sin by the merit of his death, and from the
power of sin by the Spirit of his grace. In saving them from sin, he saves them from wrath and the
curse, and all misery, here and hereafter. Christ came to save his people, not in their sins, but from
their sins; and so to redeem them from among men, to himself, who is separate from sinners. Joseph
did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, speedily, without delay, and cheerfully, without dispute.
By applying the general rules of the written word, we should in all the steps of our lives, particularly
the great turns of them, take direction from God, and we shall find this safe and comfortable.
Chapter 2
Chapter Outline
The wise men's search after Christ. (1–8)
The wise men worship Jesus. (9–12)
Jesus carried into Egypt. (13–15)
Herod causes the infants of Bethlehem to (16–18)
be massacred.
Death of Herod, Jesus brought to Nazareth. (19–23)Verses 1–8
Those who live at the greatest distance from the means of grace often use most diligence, and
learn to know the most of Christ and his salvation. But no curious arts, or mere human learning,
can direct men unto him. We must learn of Christ by attending to the word of God, as a light that
shineth in a dark place, and by seeking the teaching of the Holy Spirit. And those in whose hearts
the day-star is risen, to give them any thing of the knowledge of Christ, make it their business to
worship him. Though Herod was very old, and never had shown affection for his family, and was
not himself likely to live till a new-born infant had grown up to manhood, he began to be troubled
with the dread of a rival. He understood not the spiritual nature of the Messiah's kingdom. Let us
beware of a dead faith. A man may be persuaded of many truths, and yet may hate them, because
they interfere with his ambition, or sinful indulgences. Such a belief will make him uneasy, and
the more resolved to oppose the truth and the cause of God; and he may be foolish enough to hope
for success therein.
Verses 9–12
What joy these wise men felt upon this sight of the star, none know so well as those who, after
a long and melancholy night of temptation and desertion, under the power of a spirit of bondage,
at length receive the Spirit of adoption, witnessing with their spirits that they are the children of
God. We may well think what a disappointment it was to them, when they found a cottage was his
palace, and his own poor mother the only attendant he had. However, these wise men did not think