Joseph Brought Mary As His Wife

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Joseph Brought Mary As His Wife

Date: Dec. 24, 2024

Passage

Matthew 1:18-25 (ESV)

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from 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.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel”

(which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

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Daily Bread

Key Verse: 1:24

When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife,

Mary, the mother of Jesus, had been pledged to be married to Joseph when he found she had conceived. This was done by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:26-38), but Joseph did not know. As a law-abiding man, he could not continue with this marriage as planned. Yet he was also a kind man. He did not want to expose Mary to public disgrace (Dt 22:21). He considered divorcing her quietly to solve the problem.

But an angel of the Lord appeared in his dream and assured him of Mary’s faithfulness. Not only had she been faithful to him, but the child she conceived by the Holy Spirit was the fulfillment of God’s promise—the Messiah who would save his people from their sins (21)!

By believing in the Lord's words and obeying his commands, Joseph’s agony turned into a blessing—probably a blessing different from what he had expected, but something much more. He was to bring Mary home, who was carrying the Messiah, as his wife, and protect her as well as the child. Do you need courage to obey the will of God? Would you turn to his words to be freed from your agony and gain the strength to trust him today?

Prayer: Father, your word is a lamp to my feet. Please guide me in doing your will today.

One Word: Do not be afraid

Plagues of Death and Disease

Exodus 9:1-12

Key Verse: 9:7

Today's Question

What is sin?

See answer and references