Joseph and Mary

Matthew 1:18-25

Mary’s sacrifice

Luke 1:26–38 CSB

In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man named Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you.” But she was deeply troubled by this statement, wondering what kind of greeting this could be. Then the angel told her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Now listen: You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will have no end.” Mary asked the angel, “How can this be, since I have not had sexual relations with a man?” The angel replied to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. And consider your relative Elizabeth—even she has conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called childless. For nothing will be impossible with God.” “See, I am the Lord’s servant,” said Mary. “May it happen to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.

after the Prophet Malachi it was over 400 years before God spoke to His people through John the Baptist

A. she risked public ridicule

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 1:18–23

Marriages were arranged for individuals by parents, and contracts were negotiated. After this was accomplished, the individuals were considered married and were called husband and wife. They did not, however, begin to live together. Instead, the woman continued to live with her parents and the man with his for one year. The waiting period was to demonstrate the faithfulness of the pledge of purity given concerning the bride. If she was found to be with child in this period, she obviously was not pure, but had been involved in an unfaithful sexual relationship. Therefore the marriage could be annulled.

Remember at that time women were 2nd class citizens

treated as a commodity

Mary was likely 12-16 years old

B. she risked death

Leviticus 20:10 CSB

“If a man commits adultery with a married woman—if he commits adultery with his neighbor’s wife—both the adulterer and the adulteress must be put to death.

C. she risked Joseph’s wrath

Matthew 1:19

Matthew 1:19 CSB

So her husband, Joseph, being a righteous man, and not wanting to disgrace her publicly, decided to divorce her secretly.

She showed great faith in God

2.Josephs dilemma

A. His betrothed was pregnant

Matthew 1.18

Matthew 1:18 (CSB)

The birth of Jesus Christ came about this way: After his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, it was discovered before they came together that she was pregnant from the Holy Spirit.

thankfully he was concerned for her!

Matthew 1:19

Matthew 1:19 (CSB)

So her husband, Joseph, being a righteous man, and not wanting to disgrace her publicly, decided to divorce her secretly.

she would still face public stoning

Deuteronomy 22:23-24

Deuteronomy 22:23–24 (CSB)

If there is a young woman who is a virgin engaged to a man, and another man encounters her in the city and sleeps with her, take the two of them out to the gate of that city and stone them to death—the young woman because she did not cry out in the city and the man because he has violated his neighbor’s fiancée. You must purge the evil from you.

B. many would look down on him

he would be looked at as foolish for protecting her

BUT

Joseph was given instruction by God

Thankfully they both showed faith

Mary

Luke 1:38

Luke 1:38 (CSB)

“See, I am the Lord’s servant,” said Mary. “May it happen to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.

Joseph

Matthew 1:24

Matthew 1:24 (CSB)

When Joseph woke up, he did as the Lord’s angel had commanded him. He married her

God has given us a command!

Matthew 28:18–20 (CSB)

Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

The angel of God has given all believers this command

Isaiah 6:8

Isaiah 6:8 (KJV 1900)

Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

we will have sacrifice and dilemmas

how have you answered the Lord?

Here am I send me

or

Here am I send someone else