The Partner for the Arrival (Matthew 1:24)
Joseph married Mary as planned which meant that when Christ was born there was a husband and wife involved and thus both a father and mother. Christ was not born in shame to a single woman.
Joseph married the woman God told him to marry. “Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife [Mary]” (Matthew 1:24). Joseph had questions about Mary and was not going to marry her; but God through the angel told Joseph, “Fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife” (Matthew 1:20). So Joseph did as God told him to do and married Mary. We would have better marriages if people married according to Divine instructions. Many marriages would not be made if men and women sought the will of God about marriage. And many would be more happily married, if they sought God’s will in marriage.
Joseph married a woman in whom Christ dwelt conspicuously. Christ dwelt within Mary literally when they were married. In fact, she was conspicuously pregnant with Christ when she married Joseph. This certainly gives a good guideline for marriage. Marry someone in whom Christ dwells conspicuously if you want a good marriage. If the Christian profession of your prospective mate is not obvious, do not marry them.
The Protection for the Arrival (Matthew 1:25)
“Knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son” (Matthew 1:25). “Knew” is a euphemism for sexual relations. Joseph abstained from sexual relations with Mary until after Christ was born. His abstinence helped the work of Christ to prosper in the fact that it helped to confirm the doctrine of the virgin birth. It protected the person of Christ from doubt about this important matter of the virgin birth and from shame. Some did indeed imply that He was born of fornication (John 8:41). But had Joseph not abstained from sexual relations, the shame and disgrace and doubt about Jesus’ birth would have been much worse. Joseph abstaining from legitimate pleasure to advance the cause of Christ is most commendable. Today we have a hard time getting folk to abstain from wicked pursuits to aid the cause of Christ, but Joseph abstained from a legitimate pursuit. It is a great example of sacrifice for the cause of Christ. What have you sacrificed lately for the advancement of the cause of Christ?
The Proclamation in the Arrival (Matthew 1:21, 25)
Joseph gave an excellent proclamation about the the purpose of the Christ-child being born.
The compliance for the proclamation. “He called his name JESUS” (Matthew 1:25). Joseph had been instructed by “the angel of the Lord” (Matthew 1:20) about the name for Mary’s baby. “Thou shalt call his name JESUS” (Matthew 1:21). Thus Joseph obeyed God; he complied with God’s command in giving the new babe the name, “JESUS.” Had he not obeyed, he would have had no proclamation about the purpose of Christ coming to earth. If you would proclaim Divine truth, you must obey the Divine precepts.
The comfort of the proclamation. “Thou shalt call his name JESUS; for he shall save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). The meaning of the name “JESUS” carries an important evangelical message. The name “Jesus” means Savior. Thus the naming of Mary’s baby proclaimed the message that the new babe was to be the Savior of people from sin. This is the great evangelical message which God’s people are to proclaim around the world. No message has brought so much comfort to mankind as this message.
The condemnation in the proclamation. “He shall save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). This name of “JESUS” condemns people, for it says they are sinful and need saving. This message is not palatable to many folk, but it is the main reason Christ came to earth the first time. “All have sinned” (Romans 3:23), but many do not think they have sinned and resent being called a sinner and in need of a Savior. But all men need Jesus.
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