Saturday, December 17, 2011

Verse for Today - Matthew 1:20-21 (click to read)

Matthew 1:20-21

"But after he had considered 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 home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”"

Read all of Matthew 1

Joseph was not so different that us.  He was going to be discreet, he was minded to put Mary away secretly.  One would think that Mary had told Joseph about the angel Gabriel's visit... and even recounted to him the word he had spoken.  But you know what?  In all likelihood, it all sounded too improbable... even impossible.  Mary was already pregnant, probably just starting to show. 

[Intervening]... an angel from of heaven visit Joseph in a vision and tells Joseph what he should do.  Amazing drama, really.  What Mary going to do?  How can she persuade Joseph that what she's saying is true?  She had to wait on the Lord and trust that He would work our the details.  Sound familiar?

The Angel's words could hardly be more significant.  Yes, Mary is pregnant by an especial work of the Holy Spirit.  You shall name her baby boy Jesus, "for He will save his people from their sins."  Who can save anyone but God alone?  Indeed.

Matthew (the author) then connects the dots.  Listen to verses 22 and 23:

22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”  

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