Sharing (Christmas A1)

Matthew evokes exodus imagery, when God takes his son Israel from the land of slavery. He identifies Jesus, the Son, with his Jewish audience in experience. This fits with the strain of shared suffering. Jesus shares in the suffering of the historic Israel, he escapes an infant massacre reminiscent of the time of Moses. He is called out of Egypt a Son of God like Israel of old. Isaiah picks up the refrain. "He lifted them up and carried them all the days of old."

Hebrews tells us that he learned suffering and can share in any trial we have. "Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people." This sharing is at the heart of the incarnation.

All the praise called for in Psalm 148 are because God has raised up a horn. Let us praise him for he has given us a big brother who has shared in our sufferings. Let us praise him, he became flesh and shared our form, our emotions, our pains. Let us praise him!