CMP Review 2026-05-03

When Craig S. Keener reached verse 2:14 in his 1997 IVP commentary on the Gospel of Matthew, he wrote this heading: “Jesus Is a Refugee, a Model for Suffering.” He was referring, of course, to the flight into Egypt.

“If we read 2:13–14 in the context of Matthew’s Gospel,” he explained, “we realize that even in his childhood the Son of Man already lacked a place to lay his head… Jesus and his family survived, but they survived as refugees, abandoning any livelihood Joseph may have developed in Bethlehem and undoubtedly traveling lightly… many Judeans had traditionally regarded refuge in Egypt as a last resort.”

In his commentary on these verses he elaborated: “Of the millions of refugees and other impoverished people throughout the world… some are our brothers and sisters in Christ; many others have never yet heard how much he loves them… Many could resonate with the story of Jesus the refugee who identified with their suffering.”

Charlotte Mason’s poetic reflection entitled “The Flight into Egypt” also gravitates to the theme of suffering, the theme of a Saviour who was “a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.” It is a poem to read when your heart is ready to pray. Or listen to the lovely reading by @antonella.f.greco and let her voice lead you to the shadow of the cross. Find it here.

@artmiddlekauff

🖼️: The Flight into Egypt by Albrecht Dürer