BibleProject | Discovering the Exodus Way Theme in ScriptureSýnishorn

Jesus’ Own Exodus Experience

In today’s reading, the gospel writers creatively weave details from previous exodus experiences into Jesus’ own story. In doing so, they reveal that Jesus is not simply a new Moses but a new Israel with an exodus experience of his own.

After Mary gives birth to Jesus, King Herod commands the murder of all baby boys in the region (Matt. 2:16-18), echoing Pharaoh’s decree to kill the Israelite baby boys in Exodus (Exod. 1:15-22).

To protect Jesus’ from Herod’s commands, Mary and Joseph flee to Egypt, continuing an exodus pattern that should be familiar to us now. Remember that Abraham and Sarah fled to Egypt to escape certain death. And later, Joseph and his family did the same. Now Mary and Joseph flee with Jesus, and they remain in Egypt until an angel assures them safe return. Matthew 2:15 describes Jesus’ time in Egypt as the fulfillment of Hosea 11:1: “Out of Egypt I called my son” (NASB). So Jesus reenacts Israel’s story through his own exodus out of Egypt.

Years later, we see Jesus passing through the waters of baptism in the Jordan River and being called God’s Son (Matthew 3:17). This event reminds us of how Israel is called God’s son (Exod. 4:22) and how the Israelites pass through the waters of the Red Sea during their own exodus (Exod. 14:21-29).

And later, when the Spirit leads Jesus into the wilderness to be provided for and tested for 40 days, we’re meant to remember how God provided for and tested the Israelites in the wilderness for 40 years (Exod. 16:1-7; Deut. 8:2). Although the Israelites reveal their unfaithfulness by testing God with their grumbling (Exod. 17:1-7), Jesus demonstrates unwavering faithfulness (see Matt. 4:1-11).

As the new Israel, Jesus announces that the new promised land, God’s Kingdom (or the “Kingdom of the skies”), is arriving on Earth as it is in Heaven. On the Exodus way, Jesus himself is delivered out of death, through the wilderness, and into the promised Kingdom. The rest of the New Testament suggests that he continues inviting all people to join him in this way of life.

Reflection Questions:
What do the similarities between Israel’s exodus from Egypt and Jesus’ exodus teach us about Jesus’ mission on Earth?

What other connections to previous exodus stories do you observe in today’s reading? (Think settings, characters, symbols and images, key words and phrases, etc.)