Daily D – Matthew 1:20-21

by | Dec 19, 2021 | Daily D | 0 comments

David G Bowman Logo

Matthew 1:20, 21  But after he had considered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because what has been conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” (CSB)

Family history is interesting. Some people invest years of research into figuring out their ancestry. They often enjoy visiting places like libraries and cemeteries. They carefully comb through legal documents and the fading engravings etched on tombstones. 

Matthew’s Gospel begins with a genealogy. It has a few surprises in it. If you know these people from the different eras of God’s work with his people, you might well raise an eyebrow at one or two, or more, of these characters. 

Take, for example, Judah. How did he get in there? Do you remember his story? Just in case you have forgotten what a rotten guy he was, notice how Matthew says, “Judah fathered Perez and Zerah by Tamar.” Genesis 38 tells us the story. It interrupts the story of Joseph. Joseph was an all-star. Judah was, how to say it, “a problem.” 

This story is hard to read. It includes painful details. You wonder why God didn’t kill everyone involved and start over. Then we come to verse 26. Judah is the first person recorded to have repented. The lineage that would include King David and King Jesus went through a man who was not righteous like Joseph, but one who repented of his great sin. There’s a lesson in there, isn’t there?

We could go on and consider the stories of Rahab and Ruth. And don’t forget “Uriah’s wife.” That whole situation led to two psalms of repentance that excel in their humility. (See Psalms 32 and 51.)

We arrive at verse 16 and see “Jacob fathered Joseph the husband of Mary, who gave birth to Jesus who is called the Messiah.” Joseph is best known because of who he married and who her son was. In an age where men and women wrestle to determine who is more important, a man or a woman, please note that Joseph did not seem to mind playing second fiddle to Mary.

In an age where people argue over issues of submission, Joseph did what Paul would later direct when he wrote, “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ,” (Ephesians 5:21). 

Joseph is a model for all men just as Mary is a model for all women.  Come to think of it, the reverse is also true. They both lived lives worthy of emulation. They submitted themselves to God and his plan and purpose for their lives. Together, they made the perfect parents to bring Jesus into the world and up to maturity so that he could fulfill his mission. 

The most impressive thing about Joseph is what he did not say. In fact, search the Christmas narratives in Matthew and Luke and you will never find a word recorded as coming from his lips. Instead, you will observe how he hears from God and immediately does what God says. This is the secret of life, isn’t it? 

Our lives are about as good as the degree to which we hear God and obey him. The most important thing we can ever learn and practice is hearing God and obeying him immediately. This requires trusting God’s heart and depending on God’s hand. Since he has never failed in this regard and will not start with you, give it a try. 

The most important thing we can teach our children and everyone we influence is how to hear and obey God. You and I could never conceive of one single action superior to what God asks us to do. We could never create one single result to improve our lot more than simple faith and immediate obedience provide. 

Maybe when we all get to heaven we can interview Joseph. Maybe then we will hear him talk about this secret to his success. Or maybe he will smile a knowing smile and incline a nod toward Mary. Maybe he will smile that smile and nod toward Jesus. And maybe, when we turn back to him, he will have slipped away again unnoticed. 

Joseph’s life was dedicated to providing for and protecting Mary and Jesus and the children who came along later. He always did the right next thing no matter how hard. It always produced the right result. 

Maybe, men, there is a connection between how much we say and how well we serve God’s purpose in our generation. Let us listen for God’s voice more and more. Let us do what he says immediately. Let us keep our peace by submitting all authority in our lives to God, deferring to the needs of our families, and passing along the lifestyle of hearing and obeying God. 

I will live like Joseph.

Our Father, empower me to live like Joseph. I want to know your will and your ways. I want to obey you without reservation. I want my life to say more than my words could ever declare. I want to slip away and be forgotten. Should anyone remember me a hundred years from now, may it be the memory of one who heard you clearly and did what you said. Amen. 

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

CONNECT WITH ME!

Interested in learning more about Church Unique or Life Younique? Send a note through the Get In Touch box or Message me through the Facebook link above.

          Church Unique Logo          Auxano Logo

GET IN TOUCH!

READ MY BLOG!

Daily D – Numbers 16:1-3

Numbers 16:1-3 One day Korah son of Izhar, a descendant of Kohath son of Levi, conspired with Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth, from the tribe of Reuben. They incited a rebellion against Moses, along with 250 other leaders of the community, all prominent members of the assembly. They united against Moses and Aaron and said, “You have gone too far! The whole community of Israel has been set apart by the Lord, and he is with all of us. What right do you have to act as though you are greater than the rest of the Lord’s people?”

Daily D – Numbers 14:24

Numbers 14:24 “But my servant Caleb has a different attitude than the others have. He has remained loyal to me, so I will bring him into the land he explored. His descendants will possess their full share of that land.”

Daily D – Psalm 57:7-8

Psalm 57:7, 8
“My heart is confident in you, O God;
my heart is confident.
No wonder I can sing your praises!
Wake up, my heart! Wake up, O lyre and harp!
I will wake the dawn with my song.”

Daily D – Numbers 9:17-18

Numbers 9:17, 18 Whenever the cloud lifted from over the sacred tent, the people of Israel would break camp and follow it. And wherever the cloud settled, the people of Israel would set up camp. In this way, they traveled and camped at the Lord’s command wherever he told them to go. Then they remained in their camp as long as the cloud stayed over the Tabernacle.

Daily D – Psalm 56:3

Psalm 56:3
“But when I am afraid,
I will put my trust in you.”