"The Advent: Day 17" for Tuesday 19 December 2017 - goTandem
When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. (Matthew 1:24 NIV)
Today an engagement can be ended simply by returning the ring. For Mary and Joseph, however, the premarital pledge was binding and could be broken only by divorce. Having discovered that Mary was pregnant, Joseph "had in mind to divorce her quietly." That's when an angel came to convince him otherwise. She had not been unfaithful, the angel explained. Her child was "from the Holy Spirit." The son would be named Jesus. He would "save his people from their sins."
The Virgin Birth is an essential doctrine. Jesus was fully man, fully God. As man, he lost none of his deity. As God, he lost none of his humanness. He had to be God to become the sinless sacrifice. He had to be man to die in our place. Two thousand years later, I type those truths so matter-of-factly, but Joseph had to accept it all by faith.
Certainly God did not choose just any woman to be the mother of his Son. Nor did he choose just any man to be his earthly father and mentor. Joseph was a "righteous man" of great faith. Without a modicum of tangible evidence, he accepted God's Word spoken through the angel and took Mary home as his wife. Imagine the ridicule. Imagine the sneers. Imagine the judgment. Imagine the faith of Joseph! God prepared his servant. He still does.
Father, may we learn from the obedience of Joseph. We don't have an angel delivering your message, but we have your Word. May we obey it with the radical faith of Joseph. In Jesus' name. Amen.
The Holy Holidays - goTandem
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"God as the Source"
Everything comes from [the LORD] and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. (Romans 11:36)
How does this make you feel?
"God as the Source"
Everything comes from [the LORD] and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. (Romans 11:36)
How does this make you feel?
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