By Andrew Williams – March 15, 2021
Introduction: We continue our series on discipleship as taught and patterned for us by our Lord and Master Jesus Christ, looking at Jesus’ ministry to gain insights into the model of discipleship that He used to make the Father’s Kingdom known. This week we are looking at the incarnation of Jesus as reported in the book of Matthew.
Scripture: Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 1:19-20 NKJV
Insight: In these verses we get a glimpse of the man who would raise Jesus as his son. Joseph was a man who was seeking to protect Mary and we see that God not only spoke to Mary but also to Joseph. God sent His angel to speak to Joseph to let him know how Mary conceived, and to assure him that the child was of God.
Jesus needed Godly parents to raise him, and God chose Mary and Joseph to be the ones who would nurture the son of God in his human incarnation. We don’t know much about Joseph but I believe that he was the perfect man to be Jesus’ earthly father.
Prayer: Father God, thank you for showing us that You spoke to both Mary and Joseph, and prepared them for the noble task of nurturing Your son. We are grateful for their response and we pray that we will respond like them when you call upon us also. Amen.