Typical

I rode my bike early this morning, a short 15 mile loop that I typically ride when I want to be done in an hour or so. Only this morning's ride was not typical. It was faster than usual. Lately, my average speed is typically 14 mph. Today I averaged 16 mph. That's close to my average when I was at my lowest weight and peak of fitness. I hope that kind of pace can become typical again, but it will take some discipline and training on my part for that to become typical again.

Today, as I was reading Matthew 2 I came across something else that was "typical." It was an Old Testament passage that Matthew quoted in connection with the slaughter of the innocents in Bethlehem. In referring to the grief instigated by Herod's heartless attempt to destroy the Christ child, Matthew quoted Jeremiah 31:15. Matthew wrote: "Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: 'A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.'" (Matthew 2:17-18)

Jeremiah's words refer directly to the grief of the Jews whose children were slaughtered when Israel was taken into captivity by the Babylonians -- a consequence of their idolatry against the Lord. Jeremiah's mournful words, however, are actually found in a hopeful context, one in which the prophet is foretelling God's future restoration of his people Israel. This restoration after 70 years of captivity, ultimately resulted in the birth of the Messiah.

When cries of grief arose from Bethlehem as a result of Herod's jealousy against the One born King of the Jews, Matthew recognized that the grief of the Jews whose children were slaughtered by the Babylonians was typical of the grief of the Jews whose children were slaughtered by King Herod in Bethlehem. Thus, the earlier weeping and wailing became a "type" of, or was typical of the later mourning by God's people.

The two events are tied together because the earlier grieving was alleviated by the restoration from captivity which led to the fulfillment of the prophesies of the Messiah. And the later grieving was alleviated because the Messiah himself was spared from Herod's sword, and was able to become the Savior of mankind by his death on the cross and his resurrection from the dead.

This is one of many, many Messianic prophesies that Matthew refers to throughout his Gospel. Some of those prophesies are like this one, "types" of the Christ to come or of events surrounding his coming. Many others are direct prophesies of Jesus Christ, his life, ministry, death and resurrection. We can thank God for these prophesies and their fulfillment. They give us great confidence that Jesus is the promised Messiah, the Son of God who came into the world to save us from our sins. And our response to this Good News should be typical -- praise and thanksgiving.