MATTHEW 1:19-21 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 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, which means the Lord saves. because he will save his people from their sins.”
Mary reveals to Joseph of her miraculous conception – Joseph finds her story hard to believe to the point he was in colic’s, he was in the midst of a mindset that was full of despairs in his soul. Joseph as knowing the truth of Mary’s pregnancy, whether he believed her story or not, it troubled him that others would definitely not believe it, and he would live with people gossiping about an unfaithful wife for the rest of his life.
Joseph is an Honorable man of God – Joseph was righteous, honorable, just and upright in accordance with high standards of rectitude, fair and a good Godly man, a gracious man. He reflects Godly wisdom and tender consideration for Mary. He was honorable and wanted to do the right thing, and although his heart was breaking, his decision was to break the engagement, because he doubted her word. He was leaning toward quietly terminating the relationship, his mindset was to quickly divorce her to prevent any embarrassment.
Mary troubled by the reaction of Joseph – As Mary troubled and seen she was not having the support from Joseph or having his trust in believing her story. Her decision was to leave her town and travel to her cousin Elizabeth and Zacharias home. Joseph knew of Mary’s pregnancy before she made the decision to depart for Elizabeth’s to seek communion with her, with whom she had been in the annunciations by the angel Gabriel, Mary left to the hill country of Judea.
AN ANGEL OF THE LORD APPEARED TO JOSEPH IN A DREAM
The Angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in his dream
As Mary traveled for the time being to Judea, the Angel Gabriel visited Joseph in a dream, and he revealed to him that Mary’s wound conceived a son and that was from the Holy Spirit who would save the people from their sins.
Joseph may have doubted it at first
Joseph may have doubted at first, but after the visitation of the angel in his dream, Joseph having the assurance of Mary’s conception was from the Holy spirit, he waited patiently for Mary’s return. He began to trust and contemplate in his inner soul the truth, The birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Joseph Did the Greatest Act of Trust and Love
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.
Joseph believed and he arose from His sleep – And did as the angel of the Lord commanded him to do. Joseph faithfully was open to the Lords directions, he prayerfully meditated on the right course of action. And also it was revealed to Joseph the name of the son of the most high God. The angel said:” You are to give him the name (Jesus). Joseph moved in obedience after it was revealed to him “not to be afraid” to take Mary as his wife.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you that you see the human heart, just as you seen Josephs heart, mind, thoughts. You knew he will have faith in action taking himself in obedience to your laws, decrees, and commandments. Joseph was righteous, honorable, just and upright in accordance with high standards of rectitude, fair with good Godly wisdom and tender consideration for Mary.
Lord of Lords, Joseph and Mary’s commitment was established and rooted in love. Thank you, that you knew he was faithful enough to carry the most wonderful, powerful news of our Lord Jesus Christ. Joseph armed himself and obeyed your call to take Mary as his wife, and your beloved son as his earthly parents. Giving him the name that’s above all names – Jesus, as you have commanded him to do. Joseph humbled himself accepting in love and the pureness of his heart to listen to the discerning within himself what was asked of him.
Thank you, Lord Almighty just like Joseph and Mary’s example lead me to always discern the prompting of your Holy spirit that when you ask of me to do something I will do what you ask. Thank you that you have given me the eyes see through those before me, that nothing is impossible though you God. I can be the most insignificant person in the eyes of others, but you Lord see my penitential to do the impossible in your power, authority, strength, departing wisdom, knowledge and understanding through the power of your Holy Spirit that helps me to discern your prompts.
Sovereign Lord, lead each of your men and women in this world to have the bravery that Joseph and Mary had, just as he encountered this news, help us not to run from it, but run to it and not fearing our pursuit. That you have already gone ahead of us, sustaining the path we are to take without limitation. Lord the lesson we learn is to listen and obey you, even when we might encounter trials, tribulations, persecution, struggles, hardships, difficulties, and fears of the unknown, or to what culture or society wants us to do. Remain in us just as Joseph who proved to be worthy of your trust to help with the caring of your son Jesus. Help us to be empowered knowing you have a master plan, purpose, will, and in your perfect timing for each one of our lives. Help us to believe and stay faithful on the various tasks that you have assigned to us, knowing that our name has been written in the book of life and we are walking with the dwelling power of the Holy Spirit. My prayer is this,
“For God be the glory for ever thought our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.” By Elda Sullins.
Matthew 1:18
This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 1:19
“Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
Luke 1:39-45
At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among all women and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”
