In some ways,  the last paragraph of Matthew Chapter Two seems superfluous.  After all, the child has been protected and those who wanted to kill him are dead, but that’s not the end of the story. In fact, the story is only beginning.

This passage of Scripture seems very important to me for two reasons.

First, this passage shows that God is in control. Just as He protected the child from Herod the Great, He continues to show His love and protection. Joseph is not “going it alone.” God is with him and will be with him in the future.

Second, this points  to what God is going to do through the child in the future. There is a whole life to be lived, and there is a work to be done. This child is destined to do for the world what it cannot do for itself. This passage points to that great work.

God is showing us that the story is not finished.

We all have a story to finish. My life and yours is not yet complete. God has work for us to do. While our work may seem rather mundane, all of God’s work is important work. We need to make sure we finish our story and that we finish well.

Sometimes, finishing the story is the hardest part.

Let me encourage you to finish your story. Let me encourage you to look for what God wants to do in your life. You may be very young or very old. Don’t forget to finish your story.