Sunday, December 23, 2018 Lesson: Matthew 1:18-25; Time of Action: around 6 or 5 B.C; Place of Action: Nazareth Golden Text: And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:21). I. INTRODUCTION. In this week s lesson we will examine how the prophecies of the coming Messiah and King were fulfilled with the birth of Jesus Christ. The passage not only reveals the creative power of God through the miraculous conception of Jesus, but also demonstrates His power to change our lives through divine revelation. Our focus will be on Joseph who modeled the appropriate faith response to God s revelation. II. BACKGROUND FOR THE LESSON. At the time of our lesson, the last known words from God to Israel were through the prophet Malachi (see Malachi 4:5-6) who prophesied around 400 B.C. By the time of the New Testament, faithful Jews all over the known world were still waiting for the Messiah (see Luke 3:15). In his gospel, Matthew presented
the royal credentials of Jesus Christ to the Jewish people. He first gave Jesus genealogy which traced Him to David and Abraham (see Matthew 1:1-17). Then Matthew turned to the circumstances of Jesus birth which is where our lesson begins. III. JOSEPH S DILEMMA (Matthew 1:18-19) A. The pregnancy of Mary (Matthew 1:18). Our first verse says Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Matthew tells us that Jesus birth was like this: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph. The word espoused means betrothed or engaged to someone. In this case Mary was engaged to Joseph. Note: Jewish engagements were as legally binding as marriage, and the couple were considered husband and wife (see verse 19). The engagement lasted for a year during which time they would not live together and their faithfulness would be tested. But the betrothal or engagement could only be ended by marriage or divorce. The phrase before they came together refers to the year-long betrothal or engagement period when the couple lived separately and had no sexual relations. However, during this time, Mary was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Note: The angel Gabriel had earlier informed Mary that she would miraculously conceive by the power of the Holy Spirit (see Luke
1:35). Mary then went to visit Elisabeth (see Luke 1:39-40) and returned to Nazareth after three months (see Luke 1:56). It was only then that her pregnancy became known to Joseph, either by her own words or by the words of others. B. The intent of Joseph (Matthew 1:19). This verse says Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. Joseph is identified as Mary s husband even though they were not yet married. However, as noted above, the betrothal or engagement was as legal and binding as marriage. Joseph is presented with a dilemma. He now knew that the Child Mary was carrying was not his, and even if she tried to tell him the truth about this Child, who would believe such a fantastic tale? Adding to his dilemma was the fact that Joseph was a just man. This means that he was a moral or righteous man. As such, Joseph s morals wouldn t allow him to marry Mary who he had concluded was unfaithful. But because of his morals he was not willing to make her a public example. This means that Joseph didn t want to divorce her publicly shaming her by stating his reasons for the divorce (see Deuteronomy 24:1). In addition, the law prescribed the death penalty for unfaithfulness (see Deuteronomy 22:23-24) although this was not carried out in New Testament times. No doubt it was Joseph s character and love for Mary that prevented him from making a public example of her. Therefore, he came up with another alternative. He was minded to put her away privily or privately. This involved handing her a letter of divorce in private (see
Deuteronomy 24:1) without stating his reasons for the action. He would then have been keeping the law and at the same time showing compassion to Mary. IV. THE ANGEL S MESSAGE (Matthew 1:20-23) A. A message of reassurance (Matthew 1:20). This verse says But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. The phrase while he thought on these things reveals that Joseph was not a man who made hasty or quick decisions. He took time to meditate and perhaps pray. Note: If some of us faced a crisis of this magnitude, would we have taken action quickly, without much thought? What a mistake that would have been in this case. Joseph s example reminds us that meditation is just as necessary as action. It gives God the opportunity to speak to us before we act (see Proverbs 16:3; 21:5). At this point, Matthew writes behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream. The word behold means to take notice or to pay attention. Joseph was to pay attention to the angel that God had sent to him in a dream with a crucial message. The angel addressed him as Joseph, thou son of David. This royal title reminded Joseph that in spite of his humble circumstances, he was of royal blood and heir to the vacant throne of David (see Matthew 1:16). Although he
wouldn t be Jesus biological father, he would provide the legal basis for Jesus to claim Davidic kingship. The angel then said fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife. Joseph was to remove all fears he had about marrying Mary. Since their engagement had bound them legally, she was already considered his wife according to verse 19 where Joseph is called her husband. Note: While Joseph considered what to do about Mary, he thought he only had two options: divorce Mary quietly or have her stoned. But God had a third option marry her. In view of the circumstances, this had not occurred to Joseph. However, God often shows us that there are more options available in situations than we may think. Although Joseph seemed to be doing the right thing by breaking the engagement, only God s guidance helped him make the best and wisest decision. When our decisions affect the lives of others, we must always seek God s wisdom. Remember, the right thing may not always be the wise thing; but the wise thing will always be the right thing. Now Joseph could feel free to marry Mary because the angel said to him for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. So the same message that Mary received was now confirmed to Joseph (see Luke 1:35). B. The Messiah s mission (Matthew 1:21). The angel went on to say to Joseph And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins. As a result of the conception by the Holy Spirit, Mary would bring forth a son. Note: It s important to note that when the angel
appeared to Zacharias to announce that his elderly wife Elisabeth was pregnant, the angel told him that Elisabeth would bear thee a son (see Luke 1:13). However, in Joseph s case the angel said that Mary would bring forth a son. The difference is that Zacharias would be John the Baptist s biological father, but Joseph would only be Jesus legal or adopted father. Jesus true Father is God Himself (see John 1:29-34). The name of the Child had been previously given to Mary (see Luke 1:31), but was now given to Joseph. The angel said thou shalt call his name Jesus. Not only did the angel tell Joseph what to name the child, he also told him the significance of the name. He said for he shall save his people from their sins. The name Jesus means Jehovah is salvation. This name signified the saving work Jesus would accomplish through His death and resurrection. Whatever else Jesus Christ accomplished on earth, His primary mission or purpose was to save men from sin (see John 1:29; 3:17; I Timothy 1:15). The name Jesus was the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew name Joshua or Yehoshua, or Yeshua. Joseph may have thought that the words his people meant Israel, but the Scriptures tell us that this also refers to everyone who trusts in the Messiah as Lord and Savior (see John 3:16-17). Note: During the time of Jesus, the expectation of the Messiah was at a high point among the Jews. However, most of them expected a Messiah who would be a military figure who would save them from the Romans. But not many of the Jews expected the Messiah to give Himself as a ransom for their sins (see Matthew 20:28; John 11:51; I Timothy 2:5-6).
C. The fulfillment of prophecy (Matthew 1:22-23). 1. (vs. 22). This verse says Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying Matthew now reminded his Jewish readers that all this was done or all that happened in connection with Jesus birth was a fulfillment of prophecy. The phrase all this was done may refer not only to the virgin birth, but also to the angel s message preceding it. The Lord had spoken all these things surrounding the birth of Jesus by the prophet, saying. The prophet spoken of here is Isaiah, and the prophecy referred to is Isaiah 7:14 which is given in the next verse. 2. (vs. 23). This verse says Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Matthew quoted from the Greek translation of Isaiah 7:14. This prophecy was given to king Ahaz by Isaiah assuring him that Israel s deliverance would come through the house of David. Now, that son of David, who was conceived by a virgin was about to appear, and He would be in the true sense Emmanuel, which means God with us. V. JOSEPH S OBEDIENCE (Matthew 1:24-25) A. The marriage (Matthew 1:24). This verse says
Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife The word Then introduces what happened after Joseph woke up from his dream. Matthew writes Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him. From the way this passage reads, it appears that Joseph did not delay or hesitate to obey. In his dream, the angel from God told him what to do: Fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife and that s what he did (see Matthew 1:20). The last part of this verse says that Joseph took unto him his wife. He heeded the angel s instructions by taking Mary home to be his wife. Note: What Joseph did took a lot of courage since both he and Mary would be exposed to the gossip and rumors of their neighbors and acquaintances. But he was no longer considering any thoughts of divorce (see Matthew 1:19). Like Joseph, we should have the courage to do God s will regardless of the circumstances. Obedience is what God desires of us today. First, we must respond to the call of God and receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour. Then we must seek to follow His perfect will for our lives. Joseph is an outstanding example of someone who obeyed God regardless of the unusual circumstances. We too must obey God with the same kind of faith. B. Temporary abstinence (Matthew 1:25). Our final verse says And (Joseph) knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus. Here Matthew tells us that Joseph knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son. This
means that up until the time of Jesus birth, Joseph and Mary were not sexually intimate. She remained a virgin throughout her pregnancy with the Christ Child. Those who follow the Catholic faith still refer to Jesus mother as the Virgin Mary, but after Jesus birth she had other children so she was no longer a virgin (see Matthew 13:55-56; Mark 6:3). In accordance with God s plan and promise, Mary gave birth to her firstborn son indicating that they would have more children after Jesus. In obedience to the command of the Lord (see Matthew 1:21), Joseph gave Mary s firstborn son the name Jesus. The fact that Joseph did the naming implies that he had legitimate guardianship and also that Jesus was the legal heir to the Davidic throne (see Matthew 1:6-17; Luke 3:23-31). VI. Conclusion. Christians should be thoughtful and discerning people, especially when the Lord sovereignly allows difficult and demanding times to impact our lives. Instead of making rash decisions, or even thoughtful decisions that are not sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit, followers of Jesus Christ should include the spiritual disciplines of prayer and Bible reading in their decision making process. This will enable us to know God s good and perfect will (see Romans 12:2). Let s never forget why this Son of David came into the world. He came to save us. This is a need that will never go away while the Lord tarries. There will always be someone here who needs a Saviour. Evangelism needs to go on until everyone in the world has had an opportunity to hear the good news about our Davidic
covenant Messiah and Saviour, Jesus Christ. ***The Bible Expositor and Illuminator, Union Gospel Press Curriculum***