MY PERSPECTIVE, Gary Damron
Today, millions are celebrating Thanksgiving. For those who feel their burdens overwhelming, or that problems are too big to handle, here’s a story about a man who faced a monumental decision in his life. Like Joseph, we can give thanks that God is faithful to lead, guide, and provide for every need.
Two books in the New Testament contain details about the birth of Jesus. Luke records the angel Gabriel’s messages to Zacharias and Mary, with Mary’s subsequent visit to Elizabeth. Further, Luke shares events surrounding the birth and dedication of John, and of Jesus. In Matthew, we find the Christ child’s genealogy through His earthly father Joseph. Immediately following the listing of ancestors, the Book of Matthew addresses the virgin birth through Joseph’s perspective (Matthew 1:18 through 2:23).
We learn two things quickly: Jesus’ mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph; and “before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 1:18).
In our day, it might be difficult to understand Joseph’s dilemma, but his feelings of sorrow, disappointment and betrayal by someone he trusted - and the laws governing such circumstances - were clear. A binding betrothal contract had been entered into by the families of Joseph and Mary, which made them legally husband and wife, though the marriage was not yet consummated. Sex during this time was considered adultery and held severe consequences, especially for the woman. Not wanting to publicly humiliate Mary, Joseph in anguish contemplated ending the betrothal quietly and privately.
But - as he considered this, “behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit’” (Matthew 1:20). Many have speculated on which angel this was, but if Matthew knew, he evidently didn’t believe it was important to share with the reader. Obviously, the message is more important than the messenger.
The angel’s announcement may have been more of a shock than a comfort to Joseph. Conception brings responsibility to two parents, as they both become participants in a miracle. Yet, even unexpected, unplanned, or outside-of-marriage pregnancies bring life that only God can give or explain.
The angel told Joseph to name the son Jesus, “’for He will save His people from their sins’” (verse 21). The pronouncement fulfills a prophecy found in Isaiah 7:14.
There are at least three things about the birth of this Child: it would be salvational, scriptural, and supernatural.
Jesus came as a 1) salvational demonstration of God’s plan and purpose. His saving mission is summed up in the names, Jesus and Immanuel. The power of the gospel was residing in a person who hadn’t yet been born! Salvation would come not in anyone’s ideas about God, but by God’s act of sending Christ, through a redeeming action that frees from the captivity of sin and guilt.
Jesus’ birth was 2) a scriptural fulfillment of God’s promises. “Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: ‘Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bear a son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,’ which translated means, ‘God with us’” (1:22). This is the first of nine quotes used by Matthew to show through Jewish scripture that Jesus was the fulfillment of God’s promises to Israel. As He had done throughout their history, God was coming to deliver His people.
Rather than a natural biological process, the conception of Jesus was 3) a supernatural act of God’s power. The angel verified to Joseph what Mary had heard earlier. “’The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you’” (Luke 1:35). The entire event was God’s divine intervention in human history, and the baby she bore would be called the Son of God. This supernatural birth is essential to Jesus’ unique nature: He is fully human (through His mother Mary), and fully divine, through His heavenly Father. This meant that He was born without original sin, enabling Him to be the perfect, sinless sacrifice for humanity. But He still needed a godly earthly father.
The passage concludes with Joseph’s determined decision. He “awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife, but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus” (Matthew 1:24-25). Joseph did all that the angel instructed, undertaking his duty to God, his wife and the child. Similarly, when the Holy Spirit gives us new life in Jesus, we are blessed with freedom. With that freedom comes the realization that God is now in charge, and His plans for us will be life-altering.
Joseph responded obediently to the dilemma of the virgin birth, which became a demonstration of grace and parental love. God does for us what we cannot do for ourselves, providing a Savior who is God with us and for us. Thank you, Lord, for the supernatural, scriptural, saving person of Jesus who’s the answer to all our dilemmas.
