joseph's turn on the stage

Joseph’s Turn on the Stage…
But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife; for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou  shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.  (Matthew 1:20-21)

THE ANGEL OF THE LORD APPEARED TO MARY (Luke 1:31-33) and told her that her baby was going to be a ruler. The angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in Matthew 1 and told him that Mary’s baby was going to be a savior. Is there a conflict? No conflict. Mary’s baby was going to be a savior and then he would be a ruler.  The Christmas season is only a month long, so we are hitting a few high spots of Old Testament and New Testament readings for Jesus’ Bible roots.  Today, it is Joseph’s turn on the stage.

JOSEPH WAS NOT A SIMPLETON and neither was he a cruel man. His fiancé was pregnant and he was totally in the dark. He knew it wasn’t his baby. What was he to do except show her the greatest possible kindness? He certainly could not marry such a loose maid of 15. He was older and respected as an established carpenter and must maintain that respect in order to provide for his family. It would take a special act of God to convince him to marry his pregnant fiancé, which is exactly what happened──an angel from God.

IN HIS DREAM, THE ANGEL ADDRESSED HIM AS  “Joseph, thou son of David.” This connected him to King David as a legal heir, qualifying him for the throne of Israel. God knows our fears and knows our limitations in making decisions. When we need the Lord, He is there. We feel less threatened when we read something than when we are desperate for an answer. God intervened at the exact moment; not a day early and not a day late. He did not tell him everything, just what he needed to know. The Spirit of God is the father of the child in Mary’s womb. That’s the only time God ever did that and that is why Jesus was called the “only begotten Son of God.” (John.1:18; 3:18; 1John. 4:9.)

SURELY JOSEPH REMEMBERED the prophet Isaiah’s words: Therefore, the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.  (Isaiah 7:14) The scholars of Israel knew this passage. They knew that He would be born in Bethlehem. They knew many other prophecies about him, but when was He coming? The angel told Joseph to name the baby: Jesus (Joshua, savior).  Joseph learned just enough to convince him to go ahead with the actual marriage.

AN ANGEL HAD ALREADY TOLD MARY a lot more than Joseph knew at the time. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.  He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.  (Luke 1:31-33)

JESUS HAS BECOME OUR SAVIOR and one day He will sit upon the throne of his father David and rule over the house of Jacob forever and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Not only so, but He will be the King of kings, and Lord of lords (Revelation. 17:14; 19:16).
Psalm 2 adds an important page:

Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?  The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.  He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. 

Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.  Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.  I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.  Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.  (Psalm 2:1-9)

THIS IS ALL PART OF WHAT WE CALL "CHRISTMAS."  Jesus came as Savior two thousand years ago, and He is coming back to the earth soon as King. The angels told Joseph and Mary a little about it. Today, those who have a Bible know so much more about the whole picture than did Joseph and Mary. He is coming and He will rule the world from Jerusalem! Ω

 Read Through the Bible in a Year
 DECEMBER 26, 2019 - Thursday
 A.M. Zachariah 1-3     P.M. Revelation 17
(Bible Gateway will read this to you if you like. Look for the speaker icon.)

A Good Verse to Memorize:
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.  (Matthew 1:18)

Song for Today:
Solo and Group: Mary Did You Know? (Author: Mark Lowry & Group)
(Performed at Rollins College in Concert Hall by 11 singers in acapella – On Facebook, scroll down to black & white picture)
https://www.facebook.com/voctavesings/videos/1022397161220040/
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