Christmas Week 2

God with us

Matthew 1:18–25 ESV

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

Joseph

When it comes to Christmas there is often times one person who gets overlooked. We know Mary Jesus and the wiseman. there is a reference to Joseph but little is said about him.

un willing to put Mary to shame:

Matthew 1:19 ESV

And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.

In this we see a loving kindness and Mercy directed to Marry. We do not know if there mariage was arranged or if they were two kids in love but regardless we see Jospeh not willing to put Mary to shame. he was gonna leave her quietly he didnts have too. it was assumed that Mary had been unfaithful and had cheated and gotten pregnant outside of their mariage. The law found in Deut 24 premited him to divorce her and in that came a lot of shame

however joesph was un willing to harm her. he surreneder his pride his fear his anger all of his earthly emotions and put them aside.

Mary remains a passive character in the story, with Joseph the active agent.

Matthew 1:20–23 ESV

But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).

As Joseph was gonna divorce Mary God sent and angel to apeal to him and tell him that Mary’s son will be the saviour of all humanity.f

even in his fear worry and confusion he followed what God had for him. even though it was not what he had hope his life was gonna look like. but he followed the plan

Joseph ins vs. 24 he did exactly what the

Immanuel

Matthew 1:23–25 ESV

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

in this text we see one of the most profound fulfillments of prophecy in scripture.

Isaiah 7:14 ESV

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Context of Isaiah 7: the prophet Isaiah is pleading against the expansion in joining the Asyrians and the prophet is a aware of the impending invasion that we talked about a few weeks ago in Hababkkuk

so let thinks about this; your home land is facing all kinds of political changes due to the greed and sin of your leaders. the previous king has dies and things arent good. God has revealed he is gonna judge and destroy your home and you know you deserve it becasue everyone has turned their back on God. but in all this God promises the he will send a sign. the Virgin will conceive a son which is impossible and God will be with them forever and save them from all opression and be their freedom

What the message ?

Isaiah 9:6-7

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.”

The king of Kings steped out of heaven and entered our story at that very moment.

this is what John dicusses when the Word became flesh.

John 1:9–14 ESV

The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.