Matthew 1:18-21
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. 20 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. 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”
Have you ever been caught off guard by a surprise notification? Admittingly, I was when I was overseas and heard that my then fiancé was expecting our first child. This happened long before I was born again, so please hold your judgment. Anyway, the news struck me hard and I was full of mixed emotions. Not knowing what to do, as young man of only 19 years, I began to seek some advice. I met the with battalion Chaplain as we were readying for a deployment to Korea. I was looking for a way to get back home to marry my now wife. Nothing could be done at the time. Things were rapidly moving us to deploy. I had no option than to wait until I returned from deployment and rotate back to the States months later.
I also, sought the advice of my friends who tried to convince me to either forget about it, or try to runaway from the responsibility of being a "family man." They made me feel ashamed, though I did not know it at the time. But time would soon reveal to me that I needed to do the right thing. Face up to truth and return home and marry this girl and be a father and daddy to my son, who is now 43 years old.
Sometimes, we may have to come to a Joseph type experience and listen to God in order to discern and do the right thing. Joseph was caught off guard too and wanted to remove himself from what appeared to be an act of adultery. He loved Mary too much to see her go through the shame, and at the same time, wanted to protect his reputation too.
Joseph was in a quandary, a pickle, a moment of desperation, not knowing what to do about this situation. But, God intervened and spoke to Joseph in a dream and told him to do the right thing. That Mary was being used by God to deliver a savior for the people who will save them from their sins.
This turning point moment changed Joseph and he pursued to do the right thing. And the world was and is better off for it, even if Joseph did not fully realize it, or understand it. For it was by faith Joseph listened and obeyed God.
Vs 22-25 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us. 24 Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, 25 and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.
If you ever find yourself caught off guard, and desperate for an answer or direction, look no further than our Father in heaven. He will lead you and guide you to always do the right thing!
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