Matthew 1:17 – 24 (AMP)
17So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen, from David to the Babylonian exile (deportation) fourteen generations, from the Babylonian exile to the Christ fourteen generations. 18Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place under these circumstances: When His mother Mary had been promised in marriage to Joseph, before they came together, she was found to be pregnant [through the power] of the Holy Spirit.19And her [promised] husband Joseph, being a just and upright man and not willing to expose her publicly and to shame and disgrace her, decided to repudiate and dismiss (divorce) her quietly and secretly.
Those days when a woman or a girl became pregnant without being married she became an object of public ridicule and made to suffer humiliation. It was taboo. So, for Mary to be pregnant without consummating her marriage with her promised husband, it was a great abomination in Israel. Apart from the shame and suffering that went with it, it was a great offence that was punishable by death according to the Law of Moses. She had committed adultery and sacrilege. Her marriage to the love of her life was in jeopardy and shaky. There was no way for her to explain the circumstances of her pregnancy. No sane man would agree or want to listen to the fairy tale that some holy power was responsible for the pregnancy. No explanation she could give would suffice. It would take a special man to bear such a thing. Joseph was a forerunner to the mercy that Jesus demonstrated to the woman caught in adultery. Let us look at John 8:3-8 (AMP)
3When the scribes and Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery. They made her stand in the middle of the court and put the case before Him. 4Teacher, they said, “This woman has been caught in the very act of adultery.” 5Now Moses in the Law commanded us that such [women--offenders] shall be stoned to death. But what do You say [to do with her--what is Your sentence]? 6This they said to try (test) Him, hoping they might find a charge on which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger.7However, when they persisted with their question, He raised Himself up and said, Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.
Like His earthly father [Joseph], Jesus was not willing to disgrace and humiliate this woman. This is the heart of our king. He came to save and set free those bound by the devil. Amen. Let us get back to Joseph.......
20But as he was thinking this over, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, descendant of David, do not be afraid to take Mary [as] your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of (from, out of) the Holy Spirit.21She will bear a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus [the Greek form of the Hebrew Joshua, which means Saviour], for He will save His people from their sins [that is, prevent them from failing and missing the true end and scope of life, which is God]. 22All this took place that it might be fulfilled which the Lord had spoken through the prophet, 23Behold, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel--which, when translated, means, God with us. Matthew 1: 24-25(Message) Then Joseph woke up. He did exactly what God's angel commanded in the dream: He married Mary. But he did not consummate the marriage until she had the baby. He named the baby Jesus.
We never consider this but Joseph could have said, God I don’t believe You are the one talking. He acted in faith and believed the angel of the Lord. There are many people who have said no to the call of God. Joseph was a good man; the Spirit of God used him to protect baby Jesus. He is a picture of what our Heavenly Father has done for us; for we are His children through the spirit of adoption. Jesus was adopted into the family of Joseph and enjoyed all the benefits of a blood son. He was not a slave [in bondage] in his house.
Romans 8:15 AMP
For [the Spirit which] you have now received [is] not a spirit of slavery to put you once more in bondage to fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption [the Spirit producing sonship] in [the bliss of] which we cry, Abba (Father)! Father!
Joseph has taught us a great lesson as believers. Joseph created an environment in which Jesus’ calling and gift was nurtured and groomed by the Spirit of God. If you are part of a blended family take your cue from Joseph and love ‘all’ your children with the unconditional love of God.
Luke 2: 1-20 (AMP) The Birth of Jesus
1-5About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. This was the first census when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for. So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David's town, for the census. As a descendant of David, he had to go there. He went with Mary, his fiancée, who was pregnant. 6-7While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel.
An Event for Everyone
8-12There were sheepherders camping in the neighbourhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Saviour has just been born in David's town, a Saviour who is Messiah and Master.
Hallelujah! Praise God! It is today that our Saviour was born to save us. He is GOD with us, Emmanuel. Jesus was no ordinary child, He was and is the Son of God, the government of God’s kingdom is on His mighty shoulders. God has given Him a name above all names, at His name every knee shall bow. His name is Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father [of Eternity], Prince of Peace.
This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger." 13-14At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises: Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please him. 15-18As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. "Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us." They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed. 19-20Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they'd been told!
Let us join the angels of God and glorify Jesus by making this confession:
He is worthy, my Maker; the LORD of hosts is His name. My Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth. Jesus, You are God My Saviour, Your throne, O God, is forever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of Your kingdom.
God Manifest in the flesh, You are the blessed hope, and the glorious soon coming King. A great God and my Saviour Jesus Christ; the King, the LORD of hosts. King of glory, the LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. the Lord my Righteousness.
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