Re-Center Around God
Matthew 1:18-25
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.
~ Angel of the Lord, Matthew 1:18-25
Joseph Accepts Jesus as His Son
18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 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.”
22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
Pondering Point
First, we see Mary told about this soon-to-be-born baby. Then Joseph is let in on the secret, Mary’s going to have a baby and you are to name him Jesus. This was centuries in the making, an eternal act of love spanning the breadth of history. But it happened in real time with two real people – three when you count the real God taking on human flesh.
Review the Week
What role does Jesus play in your life? Is He Savior? If so, what does that mean to you? Is He Lord? What does that mean to you? Is He a Counselor? If so, how does He provide counsel to you? Are these merely titles or does they carry meaning in your life?
Repent (if necessary)
To repent here might mean asking forgiveness for limiting the role that Jesus plays in your life, for not letting Him lead while you follow (a disciple is a follower). Confess any sins of rejecting His leadership to follow personal yet sinful inclinations.
Return (as necessary)
Thank Jesus for being Your Savior, ask Him to again be Your Lord, and commit to follow Him as His disciple. Ask the Holy Spirit to assist you in turning from yourself to God.