What Would You Do? Matthew 1:18-21

A look at Joseph

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Matthew 1:18-21 (NKJV): Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

What would you have done if you were in Joseph’s shoes? He was engaged to Mary. They were going through the betrothal period, or what we may know as the engagement or courting time. During this time, the future husband was to prepare the home for his soon to be bride according to Jewish customs. Even though they did not know each other as husband and wife, living together and even being together, they were considered to be married in a sense. When the new home was finished being prepared, the groom would them call for his bride and they would have the ceremony and then consecrate the marriage.

Joseph was preparing his home for Mary. He was considered to be “just”. He didn’t do anything to disrespect his future wife or their families. He was doing what a future groom was to do. Then he discovers Mary is pregnant.

Can you imagine what he was thinking? How is this possible? They didn’t have intercourse. He though he was marring an upright woman. Now, as he could possibly be thinking, he finds out she was unfaithful. He probably was hurt and disappointed. However, because he was just, he contemplates quietly divorcing Mary, and he would provide for her and her family, so that there would not be any embarrassment to anyone involved. Would any one of us been so quiet about finding out that our future spouse had been unfaithful?

Joseph had every right to divorce Mary. He didn’t have to keep quiet about the divorce. Then, while he contemplates what’s going on, an angel appears to him. Can you imagine how he felt? Here he is getting ready to justly, as far as he knew, divorce Mary and this angel appear and tells him, that what has happened is something that God is doing. How would you have reacted?

Joseph, did not divorce Mary after hearing this message. Instead, he married her and did not have relations with her until after Jesus was born.

Are you able to handle difficult tasks put before you but God? Would you be able to handle something like this that could be and was considered scandalous? It seems because of his Faith, Joseph did. Let’s learn from him.

If we are to please God, we need to allow The Holy Spirit to set us apart. We need to pursue a sinless life. We are to seek Righteousness. How do we do it? Through prayer, study, fellowship, being willing to be corrected/accountability, discipleship, and service.
 

It starts with Our Relationship with Jesus. If you don’t have a Relationship with Him or you need to rekindle that Relationship, do it now. Call out to Him and seek his Love and Forgiveness. It really is as hard or easy as you make it.

We should look to Him daily to seek a relationship with Him. I want to encourage you to seek Him today, if you haven’t already. If you need help, have questions or need direction in this regard, please, feel free to let me know.

Maybe today you are struggling with something. Maybe you may have found yourself not as close to The Lord as you thought. We would like to help you in this through prayer and guidance. If you find yourself in need of prayer and/or encouragement, please, feel free to call or text +1 (505) 600-1027 or email cross66info@gmail.com

Or, you can download our app at:  www.pray.com/Cross66.

If you are seeking to grow in your Faith, please check out CCF College at: www.ccfcollege.com/15.html

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Mark is a US Army Veteran and has called Albuquerque home since 1997. He earned degrees at Albuquerque Bible College, and Faith Evangelical Seminary before attending the Shepherd’s School at Cross Christian Fellowship. He has felt a calling to start a church along Route 66, in Albuquerque to reach others for Christ. Mark has had struggles with addictions, drugs, alcohol and other things, in the past. He has recovered from them, with Christ and has a desire to help others with them as well. He has a desire to setup a recovery home in Albuquerque, or nearby, to help others in the recovery process as well as help them gain some job skills and learn to have personal interactions with others. Mark grew up in traditional churches. He did not find the true meaning of having a Relationship with Jesus. At the age of 31, after hearing a Pastor talk about this Relationship, he rededicated his life to Jesus and started on a path for ministry. You can check out Recovery In Action Ministries FaceBook Page for more info on Recovery issues. Mark has been married to his wife Rebecca since 2005. Together they have four boys between them. They minister together to help others grow in their relationships with their spouses, children and family. In his free time, Mark likes to ride motorcycles, shooting and building things.

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