Matthew 1:18-25 “When the said, ‘I’ve got news for you, Joseph’” Page 1 of 7

“(24) When Joseph woke up, he did what the “When the angel said, ‘I’ve got news for you, Joseph’” angel of the Lord had commanded him and Matthew 1:18-25 NIV took Mary home as his wife. (25) But he had no “This is how the birth of Christ came union with her until she gave birth to a son. about: His mother Mary was pledged to be And he gave him the name Jesus. married to Joseph, but before they came We connect with joyful, merry together, she was found to be with child things like: through the Holy Spirit. (19) Because Joseph her  festively decorated trees; husband was a righteous man and did not want o scenes; to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.  singing “Peace on earth;” o shepherds quietly watching flocks on a “(20) But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and starry night; said, ‘Joseph son of , do not be afraid to . caroling; o take Mary home as your wife, because what is going to grandmother’s house;  savoring cookies and gingerbread; conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. (21) She will give birth to a son, and you are to give o Giving and receiving carefully him the name Jesus, because he will save his wrapped presents; people from their sins.’ . Kids not so carefully unwrapping those gifts. “(22) All this took place to fulfill what the We cherish this season’s images. Lord had said through the prophet: (23) ‘The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him " --which means, "God with us."’ Matthew 1:18-25 “When the angel said, ‘I’ve got news for you, Joseph’” Page 2 of 7

Another part of this story needs telling. o Admiring shepherds and wise men One not often told. worship the child and congratulate the Have you heard Joseph’s moral dilemma? parents. We all grapple with painful, gut If you could “run the tape back” six months wrenching decisions. before Jesus’ birth, the scene wouldn’t seem Times when from our perspective, so heavenly. it’s hard to make the right choices. You’d witness strong tension in the so- You’re possibly dealing with someone acting called “. in a manner you feel isn’t deserving— Maybe some bickering. someone you have a hard time loving. The kind of talk heard in ordinary households You struggle to do the right thing. Manger scenes and nativity pictures impart A son, a daughter, a long-time friend, a unrealistic images. neighbor, a coworker, an in-law or Mary was likely of junior high age— spouse causes you fits. possibly 13 or 14. That person does not act loveably. Joseph, probably a little older. You’re ready to give up—call it quits. Joseph and Mary were betrothed. A similar situation is part of the Christmas For Jewish couples, that meant engaged, story, but hardly anyone mentions it. but with a stronger commitment than o Instead we see nativity scenes depicting modern engagements intimate. loving, doting saintly parents tending the Christ-child. o A star of peace beams overhead.

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“When the minister of Bay Shore Community A: ‘I think you're supposed to be shot with an Church introduced his midweek arrow or something, but the rest isn't supposed study on marriage, he asked the to be so painful.’ younger Sunday school kids to Q: ‘What is falling in love like?’ answer a series of questions A: ‘Like an avalanche where you have to run about the great institution. for your life.’ “Q: ‘What is the proper age to marry?’ A: Q: ‘Why do lovers hold hands?’ ‘Eighty-four. Because at that age you don't A: ‘They want to make sure their rings have to work anymore, and you can spend all don't fall off, because they paid good your time loving each other.’ money for them.’ Q: ‘When is it okay to kiss someone?’ Q: ‘How does a person learn to kiss?’ A: ‘Never kiss in front of other people. It's a A: ‘You learn right on the spot, when the big embarrassing thing if anyone sees you. But “gooshy” feelings get the best of you.’ if nobody sees you, I might be willing to try it with a handsome boy, but just for a few hours.’ Q: ‘How do you make love endure?’ ‘Don't forget your wife's name—that Q: ‘Is it better to be single or married?’ A: ‘It's will mess up the love.’ better for girls to be single, but not for boys. ‘Be a good kisser. It might make your wife Boys need somebody to clean up after them.’ 1 forget that you never take the trash out.’" Q: ‘How does love happen between two In times, parents often arranged people?’ the marriages.

1 THE WORLD'S GREATEST COLLECTION Of CHURCH JOKES, p - 237

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When the bride-to-be was about twelve, “How can this be, because I the couple made a commitment and haven’t slept with a man?” then they’d get married a year later. Mary knew her innocence. In the interim, they didn’t see each other much. The Lord knew it. Times have changed, haven’t they? You and I believe it. The bride-to-be was expected to be a virgin. They held husbands-to-be to the same Think, though, of Joseph’s perspective. standard. As soon as the angel told Mary what would People caught in the act of adultery were put happen to her, she left to visit her cousin to death—both the man and the woman. Elizabeth who lived 60 or 70 miles away. The year’s engagement or betrothal She stayed three months, and then provided ample time to demonstrate that returned to Nazareth. any children born of the bride would Our text describes the situation: belong to the husband. “This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came The limited contact during the year of about: His mother Mary was pledged to be betrothal gave time to make sure. married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child In the case of Joseph and Mary, their year through the Holy Spirit.” of betrothal hadn’t ended. A problem occurred, but not in Houston. How did Joseph find out? Somewhere in Israel, Mary became pregnant. Did Mary’s best friend or his Recall that the angel Gabriel forewarned Mary neighbor tell him? that she would become pregnant by the Holy Could Joseph tell by her appearance? Spirit. The Bible tells us only of Joseph’s dilemma. Remember her shock? Matthew 1:18-25 “When the angel said, ‘I’ve got news for you, Joseph’” Page 5 of 7

Put yourself in Joseph’s sandals, men. o His friends would ridicule him as a cuckold. Your fiancée, whom you are to soon marry, o Some would likely say: “I told you so!” leaves to visit her cousin for three months. Recall our theme today? She returns pregnant and tells you the Holy Spirit caused her pregnancy. We spoke of the need to do right when circumstances seem not to warrant it. Would you buy that story? We lose patience and confidence in our Even if you did, would your peers believe it? loved ones when it appears they’ve let us down. A good guy found himself in a tough spot. We’re tempted to give up on them. Joseph loved Mary and wanted to do That was likely Joseph’s situation. right, so he tried to keep her from public We get to the point at times don’t’ we? disgrace and maybe death. Without angelic intervention, Joseph He hoped to arrange a quiet, private divorce. would never have believed Mary: Engagements required a legal action. “An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a “(19) Because Joseph her husband was a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do righteous man and did not want to expose not be afraid to take Mary home as your her to public disgrace, he had in mind to wife, because what is conceived in her is divorce her quietly.” from the Holy Spirit.’”

What must have gone through Joseph’s “Well if an angel appeared to me in a mind? dream, I’d know what to do. I could do the o His fiancée disappointed him. right thing,” we claim. . He lost her love. o He was humiliated and embarrassed. Matthew 1:18-25 “When the angel said, ‘I’ve got news for you, Joseph’” Page 6 of 7

The Bible tells us that Jesus is greater than I think of how my life has been changed the angels: “So he (Jesus) became as much because people didn’t give up on me. superior to the angels as the name he has I read the true story of a man whose wife inherited is superior to theirs. For to which was unfaithful to him. A little girl was born. of the angels did God ever say, ‘You are my He didn’t know if the little girl was his or Son; today I have become your Father’?”2 his wife’s lover. He faced a terrible decision. A mere angel instructed Joseph. How would he treat that little girl? Ours orders come from the Son of God Here’s what he decided. That in Scripture. little girl needed a father. What Jesus tells us is infinitely more He knew the lover would never important than what any angel might say. love her and care for her. I don’t understand the fascination Only he could do that, so he people have with angels. accepted and loved the little girl as if there were no doubt We should listen to what our Creator’s Son that she was his own. tells us in the Bible. He also continued to treat his wife lovingly He instructs us to keep and respectfully. forgiving and to continue loving. “Love never gives up.” Loving those who don’t deserve love is Joseph didn’t give up on exactly what God did for us in Christ: his loved one. “You see, at just the right time, when Though circumstances don’t we were still powerless, Christ died for always warrant it, we do right. the ungodly.”3

2 Hebrews 1:4, 5 NIV 3 Romans 5:6 NIV Matthew 1:18-25 “When the angel said, ‘I’ve got news for you, Joseph’” Page 7 of 7

“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."

Those saved from their sins by the child that Joseph took and reared as his own include you and me.

Bob Blair PO Box 176 Nazareth aerial view. Cleghorn, IA 51014

www.robertblairbooks.com now.