When Opposition Rises

“So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.” – Luke 2:39-40

After fulfilling the requirements of the law, Mary and Joseph began their journey back to Nazareth—but it was far from a peaceful return. We often imagine the nativity ending with quiet nights and gentle scenes, but any parent knows bringing a newborn home is never that simple. There are sleepless nights, unexpected challenges, and constant adjustments. For Mary and Joseph, those challenges were multiplied. Matthew 2 tells us that Jesus’ birth shook the world. Wise men arrived. Herod panicked. And in a moment fueled by fear and a thirst for power, he ordered the slaughter of every male child in Bethlehem under two years old. The truth had barely entered the world, and already the world was trying to destroy it. Jesus later described this reality in the parable of the sower: “Then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart” (Matthew 13:19, NKJV). Opposition is not a sign that God is absent—it is often a sign that God is moving.

Yet in the midst of danger, God guided Mary and Joseph step by step. He warned Joseph in a dream. He sent them to Egypt—a place where many Jews lived and where they could blend in safely. And when the danger had passed, He brought them home. God didn’t remove the opposition, but He carried them through it. Luke tells us that Jesus “grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him” (Luke 2:40, NKJV). These were the hidden years—quiet, unseen, ordinary. Jesus grew physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually. He worked with His hands. He lived humbly. He waited for the Father’s timing. And here is the truth we cannot miss: the same Jesus Anna waited for, the same Jesus Simeon held, the same Jesus Mary and Joseph carried—He faced opposition from the moment He entered the world. And so will we.

But just as God watched over Mary and Joseph, He watches over us. He doesn’t always remove the danger, but He always guides us through it. He doesn’t always calm the storm, but He always walks with us in it. Anna waited with anticipation. Simeon recognized Jesus the moment He appeared. Mary and Joseph trusted God step by step. And God protected His plan every time.
Are we anticipating Jesus like Anna? Are we recognizing Him like Simeon? Are we trusting Him like Mary and Joseph? The same God who guided them is guiding us. The same Messiah they held is the Messiah who holds us. And the same Spirit who opened their eyes is the Spirit who opens ours. May we wait with anticipation, walk with expectation, and cling to Jesus even when opposition rises—knowing He will carry us safely home.

“No sooner was Christ born than Satan stirred up opposition against Him. The great enemy of souls is never quiet when he sees the kingdom of God advancing.” – J.C. Ryle