Matthew 1:18–21
18Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. 19And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. 20But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21“She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”
Focused Thinking:
What were the unique circumstances surrounding the birth of Jesus?
1:18—Mary was betrothed (engaged) to Joseph.
1:18—Before they came together (sexually) she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit.
How does Mary explain that one?
How does Joseph believe that one?
And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly.
How did Mary tell Joseph?
How did Joseph respond to her?
How much time elapsed between Mary talking to Joseph and the angel talking to Joseph?
What was Joseph planning to do before the angel encountered him?
…not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly.
What does the scripture say about Joseph’s character?
And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man,
What happened when the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph?
Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.
Can you imagine the emotions running through Joseph’s heart?
He wanted to believe Mary, but he couldn’t believe her.
How can you believe that story? But at the same time, how could Mary come up with that story?
How quickly has Joseph’s world gone from devastation to restoration?
…do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife;
She wasn’t unfaithful to you.
In fact, she is so faithful, I trust her to be the mother of My Son.
…for the child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.
Talk about a 180!
- Joseph goes from betrayal to belief.
- Joseph goes from anger to awe.
- Joseph goes from hopeless to hopeful.
How do you comprehend Mary’s story and the Angel’s encounter?
She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.
What was Joseph’s response?
Did the Spirit of God give him the ability to believe?
Did the Spirit of God give him the ability to understand?
What else do you do when the angel of the Lord encounters you?
You believe.
You worship.
You obey.
Did he immediately know that this was the promised Messiah?
I know the angel of the Lord said it, but did he get it?
Did Joseph say the name Jesus in that moment?
Did Joseph mediate upon the statement, “He will save His people from their sins”?
Did Joseph know the scriptures of the promised Messiah?
Did Joseph make all the scriptural connections?
Did Joseph read Isaiah to Mary?
Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.
Isaiah 9:6
For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
How quickly did Joseph go find Mary?
He had to feel relieved and restored at the same time.
- Relieved that Mary didn’t betray him.
- Restored in his marriage and mission.
She had to feel relieved and restored at the same time.
- Relieved that Joseph believed her.
- Restored in her marriage and mission.
Personal Application:
I absolutely love dramatic reading. I love reading the story from the perspective of different characters in the story. I pretend I’m actor and try to get inside each character and imagine the circumstances, imagine what they were thinking, imagine how they were feeling. I truly believe that this type of reading is one of the most devotional and powerful to fully understand and experience the truths of God.
How do I respond when God speaks to me through His Word?
I need to believe.
I need to worship.
I need to obey.
Interactive Prayer:
Father, thank you so much for allowing us to see the fears, flaws and faith of Joseph and Mary as they encountered the angel of the Lord. Father, thank you for not giving us examples of perfect people in the Bible. Thank you for giving us the privilege of seeing righteous people learn how to follow You. Thank you for showing us all the ways You communicated to Joseph and Mary in order to give them the opportunity to trust and obey.
Father, speak to me and get me out of my funk. Give me the ability to go to the next place in my walk. Give me the ability to quit living in fear. I can’t imagine the fears that Joseph and Mary had initially and through their walk with You. Give me the ability to replace my fears with faith. I’m not sure why, but it feels like everybody assumes the pastor’s life doesn’t have any struggles. My struggle right now is changing me in order to go to the next level in my walk. I need to go to the next place in my walk for You, for my wife, for my children, for my church and for my desire to see revival. Father, I must do less in order to do more. Give me the ability to prioritize my time in the Word and prayer. Give me the ability to lead well, to delegate well in order to worry about the church less. Give us the ability to solve repetitive problems and become effective and efficient at worship, connect, equip and serve. Father, increase my faith and improve my leadership.
Give us the ability as a church to truly grow and mature our believers. Give us the ability to truly help people worship, connect, equip and serve. Father, I don’t want a church of attendees; I want a church of followers. Father, give us the ability to truly get people connected. I worry when we can’t get people connected. I feel the burden and pressure of the devil being a roaring lion seeking to devour isolated sheep who aren’t connected. Father, it should be simple, but it is incredibly difficult to get sheep to worship, connect, equip and serve. Give us the wisdom, the leadership, the resources and the cooperation of our people to get people connected. Father, show our people that it is absolutely essential. People can’t do this life alone. Father, help us help our people repent of consumer Christianity. Give us the wisdom and ability to be an amazing vision and mission in front of our people.
Leave a Reply