Matthew 1:18-25
Mary and Joseph’s response to her pregnancy reveal the true colors of their hearts. Both ultimately chose to to see their calling as the privilege that it truly was. However, the impending shame and ridicule they would face would require an inner strength that only their faith and commitment to God’s plan could supply.
Joseph’s response. Joseph did not want to disgrace Mary publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly. Scripture describes him as a righteous man.
God’s comforting instructions to Joseph. Joseph was told in a dream that he was not be afraid. He was to take Mary as his wife anyway, because the child she was pregnant with was conceived by the Holy Spirit. Joseph could have easily concluded that the child was of another man. That thought must have crossed his mind: Had Mary been unfaithful? Unfortunately, society would accuse her of such. But God sent the angel in his dream to foretell that Mary would have a son and that Joseph was to name Him Jesus. Joseph is also given the knowledge that Jesus would save people from their sins.
The meaning of the two names. Jesus was one of the names God gave to the Son Mary was pregnant with. The name Jesus means “the Lord saves.” The other name God gave for Jesus to be called was Immanuel, which means, “God is with us.”
IMMANUEL. Jesus was God in human form. He would walk, talk, eat, and live as a human among us through the body of Jesus. God would literally be with humanity in physical form.
JESUS. Jesus would restore what had been lost in the Garden. He would defeat death and Satan who had been running Earth. Jesus would save people by breaking them of their bondage of sin. He would restore us to holiness. Thus, He would connect us back with a holy God.
“The Lord saves.” The world was under the control of Satan. It was destined for destruction. God intervened. It appeared worse before getting better, but when Jesus showed up on the scene, Satan knew now that he was going to lose.
Joseph’s demonstration of faith. Joseph acted in obedience to God’s message in more than one way. He took Mary as his wife. He chose not have sex with her until after Jesus was born–almost out of respect for God’s child being within her. Joseph followed through and name Jesus the name the angel had given him in the dream.
Just A Girl With a Journal 