J
James248
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18 Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah[a] took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. 20 But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:
23 “Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,”
which means, “God is with us.” 24 When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, 25 but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son;** and he named him Jesus.
Joseph is called just; he exudes two characteristics of righteousness: mercy and faith. Joseph could’ve basically stoned Mary, something he had the legal right to do. But Joseph’s decision to put her away quietly was a selfless decision; Matthew tells he did it not to expose her to shame. However, as soon as Joseph hears the angel’s command, he takes Mary as his wife and her unborn Child as his Son. Joseph responded to the angel’s message in faith, and he was rewarded by becoming Jesus’s foster father.
May we, by God’s grace, do the same.**
23 “Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,”
which means, “God is with us.” 24 When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, 25 but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son;** and he named him Jesus.
Joseph is called just; he exudes two characteristics of righteousness: mercy and faith. Joseph could’ve basically stoned Mary, something he had the legal right to do. But Joseph’s decision to put her away quietly was a selfless decision; Matthew tells he did it not to expose her to shame. However, as soon as Joseph hears the angel’s command, he takes Mary as his wife and her unborn Child as his Son. Joseph responded to the angel’s message in faith, and he was rewarded by becoming Jesus’s foster father.
May we, by God’s grace, do the same.**
