Untitled Sermon

THE BIRTH OF JESUS:

Matthew 1:18-23.

INTRODUCTION:

Brothers and sisters this morning I want us to take a good look at this Christmas story, as recorded in St. Matthew’s Gospel. I believe this story depicts two of the best examples of a christian couple. Our Saviour Jesus Christ had the best parents. I’m hoping that at the end of this all of us will seek to emulate them.

WHAT MARRIAGES WERE LIKE AT THIS TIME.

As this story depicts, at the time of Mary and Joseph’s engagement things were altogether different from what it is today. As I understand it, the parents of the expecting groom would approach the parents of the expecting bride, and make arrangements for the bride to marry the groom at the appropriate time.

Once the agreement was made the groom would have to wait one year before he could marry his intended bride. Those days were different from today, and all precautions were taken to ensure that the bride was a virgin, and remains a virgin until marriage. The girl would continue to live with her parents and the groom with his parents until the time was up. This was a precautionary principle. If the bride had been engaged in hanky-panky activity and got pregnant, the groom would be able to take serious actions against her, including having her executed, if he so wished. If all went well, at the end of the waiting period, the groom would go to the home of the bride, and in an elaborate parade he would escort the bride from her home to his, and the wedding would take place.

MARY IS FOUND TO BE PREGNANT.

At the height of Joseph’s joyful expectations his dream was seemingly shattered. Mary is found to be pregnant - and not for him. It was a devastating blow to Joseph, and he could think of nothing more than how could this happen to him. Even at that moment Joseph did not intend to cause harm and embarrassment to Mary. He thought about getting rid of her quietly. No public interference. He wanted no disgrace for Mary. He was a kind-hearted and very considerate man. One who would take all the pain but let Mary escape it. In the midst of his dilemma God visited him and assured him that Mary was not pregnant by a human being. He should not doubt Mary;s sincerity and fidelity. It was the work of the Holy Spirit. “Do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you are to give him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”

JOSEPH is without doubt a special man. Non like him to be found anywhere. He is a COMPASSIONATE MAN. It is believed that Joseph had previously been married. He was a widower.

This news put Joseph in a state of perplexity. What is he to do under these circumstances. How can one be deceived in those he thinks the best of. How can one be disappointed in one he expects the most from. That was how Joseph felt. He is deeply in love with Mary, and his heart is broken to pieces. He is even in a state of jealousy. And thinking how can this happen to me. He wants no harm to come to Mary. He did not want to make her a public disgrace. With all this jealousy and hard feelings he was experiencing, yet he did not want to bring any kind of disgrace or punishment to Mary. It is said that love overcomes all difficulties. He was willing to face any shame and disgrace but not let it happen to Mary. He thought about how he could let her go privately, with no one knowing about it. It pained him beyond imagination.

Joseph waas in a quandary, we would say. His love for Mary would not allow him to do anything against her, even though he had that privilege. He was willing to protect her with his life. Most people when they have the upper hand on someone in any kind of dispute, would use it to crucify the other person. It is suggested that we take Joseph’s example, ponder the seriousness of the matter, and try to be lenient as much as possible. Under those circumstances God will provide the best way out of it. God definitely guided Joseph to the right decision and all went well for them both.

Most people with a bad temper would blame Joseph for his clemency, but it is said of him that ‘he was a just man.’ Instead he was a religious, good man, and therefor inclined to be merciful and God is, and to forgive as one who was forgiven. It is suggested that “It becomes us, in many cases, to be gentle towards those that come under suspicion of having offended.” To hope the best concerning them, and to make the best of that which at first appears bad, in the hope that it may prove better.

As we would say: Joseph was between the devil and the deep blue sea. He thought he could not go on with the wedding, and he thought about letting her go privately. It is said that Christian love and Christian prudence will hide a multitude of sins.

In the midst of this dilemma Joseph received word from Heaven. It is said that while he pondered these things, and had no knowledge of what he should do, God graciously directed him what to do, and made it easy for him. We are encouraged. It is the thoughtful, not the unthinking whom God will guide. When he had given long and careful thought to this matter, then God stepped in and gave him the correct advice. When we have done all we could; when our backs are against the wall, then God steps in. In joseph’s moment of deep sorror and great concentration on what to do, God approached him. “Fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife. It is a great mercy to be delivered from our fears, and to have our doubts resolved, so as to proceed in our affairs with satisfaction. That is the way it is with God, when we put our trust in Him. It is a great mercy to be delivered/relieved of our fears , and to have our doubts resolved, so that we can proceed with our affairs with satisfaction. All worries gone. That is the way it is with God.

He is told two things: (1) She is conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost.) Not by the power of nature. The Holy Spirit who produced the world now produced the Saviour of the world.

MARY THE MOTHER OF JESUS:

It is believed that Mary was no more than about sixteen years old. Yet at that tender age she shows astounding maturity, comon sense and dignity. She had to be chosen by God for this great privilege because of who she was. A special dignified young girl. She lived up to all God’s expectations.

As young as Mary was she showed grace and dignity. Mary is shown to be a lot calmer and poised than Joseph. She does not seem to be fretting about anything. She demonstrates complete confidence in God. She is confident that she had done no wrong, and that God would see her through this.

I believe Mary was a beautiful girl, but what stands out the most is her unshakable faith in God. No matter what, no matter the seriousness of the situation, including the fact that she could be stoned to death, she had an unshakeable faith in God, and that meant everything to her, and to the outcome of this story.

It is a profound lesson for all of us, not just the ladies, but all of us who consider ourselves christians. We have to and must trust God in all circumstances. If we are in the right God will never let us down.

Joseph was there beating his brains, as we say, trying to see how he could get out of this, while saving Mary’s life, but Mary had no such concern, because she believed that God was in control, and that being the case He would take care of matters - and He did.

We know that Mary visited her aunt Elizabeth while she was pregnant. The story gives us no clue was to what they discussed, but we can guess that God and her pregnancy came up, and it is quite possible that she got excellent advice from her aunt, and encouragement in her ordeal. Sometimes it is good to have people in our lives, Godly people, who can give us the kind of advice we need, so that we can go on in faith.