JOSEPH CALLED HIM SAVIOR
Matthew 1:18-25
Pursuit: Story of Johnny Hart, author of B.C.
He has been taking an increasingly clear stand for Christ in his B.C. comic strip.
Two people were talking.
One comments that Jesus’ birth was the reason for the season,
the other responds, surprised: "I thought Santa Claus was!"
The first answers, "that depends on whether you’re more interested in Nintendo or eternal life!"
Wiley Definition: "Manger: a feeding trough large enough to hold the Bread of Life."
That’s what Christmas is all about. The Bread of Life is born!
DO WE REALLY UNDERSTAND THE CHRISTMAS STORY?
One teacher reported reading the story of Jesus' birth to her class. She stopped to see if they understood.:
"What do we call the three wise men?" One 5-year-old replied: "The three maggots,"
"What gift did the Magi bring baby Jesus?"
"Gold, Frankensteins and smurfs!" the 5-year-old replied.
I’m reminded of similar errors in our thinking as kids were growing up . . .
I wondered where "Orient-R" was, or who this "Harold" guy was,
and similar significant questions filled my mind.
It’s impossible to understand the accounts of Jesus’ birth without at least acknowledging what the authors are trying to tell us about Him.
One approach to the Christmas story: The Emotions of Christmas.
The participants in the Christmas story experienced mixed emotions.
There was the joy and excitement at the birth of the King/Messiah.
There was fear/disappointment/pain in the application of that good news to their own life.
This morning we consider emotions Joseph felt as he looked ahead to the first Christmas.
What thoughts and emotions do you suppose went through his head?
Have you ever been disappointed by someone you cared deeply about and thought you knew well?
Not until we’ve been through such deep disappointment with someone we care deeply about will we be able to understand the emotions Joseph went through in preparation for the first Christmas.
Joseph’s story is recorded in the gospel of Matthew.
Matthew wrote to Jewish readers to show that Jesus is their Messiah.
[ He begins to establish his case by pointing to . . . ] JESUS' CREDENTIALS 1-4
Testimony from many sources combines to show that Jesus is Messiah.
Part of the evidence Matthew presents to demonstrate that Jesus is the Christ, includes the Christmas story from Joseph’s perspective.
TESTIMONY OF JESUS' BIRTH 1:18-25
Unusual nature of His birth demonstrates that Jesus is Messiah.
Matthew introduces the Christmas Story by referring to it as:
The birth of Jesus the Christ: The birth of the Savior/Messiah.
[ 4 lines of evidence come together in Matthew’s account of Joseph’s story. ]
EVIDENCE OF THE VIRGIN BIRTH
Mary’s miraculous condition creates Joseph’s perplexing dilemma.
Mary’s miraculous condition:
People discover that Mary’s pregnant!
Can you imagine how YOU would react if it happened to someone YOU know?!!
Just how many explanations are there for that?!!
People are surprised
because everyone thinks she’s a godly woman
That opinion is affirmed by God’s messenger in Luke 1.
People are surprised because she’s committed to Joseph.
NIV
! "Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph" What does this mean?We usually compare this to engagement. That's not serious enough.
They are considered married (he’s referred to as her husband.
They have made a permanent commitment to each other.
"Betrothal" was a "post-marital probation"--just to be sure a woman is pure!
If ever there was a couple people thought this would NOT be an issue for, it was Joseph and Mary.
Joseph never dreamed he’d have to worry about THIS test! =>
People are surprised because this couple is committed to purity.
They would never have a premarital sexual relationship.
Especially Joseph knew that!
He knew they’d never done anything to cause her to become pregnant.
When he discovers she’s pregnant, he realizes their marriage is over.
You can only understand the intensity of this crushing disappointment, if someone you know this well has done something similar to you.
Only if one you love has left you for another, . . .
Or if your spouse has been unfaithful, . . .
Only then can you begin to understand what’s going through Joseph’s mind!
He is devastated! The woman he committed his life to, betrayed him.
This was before Joseph and Mary did anything.
Many would suspect that Joseph fathered this child
--though they would have been surprised--because of his godliness.
But how else could you explain what happened to Mary?
People who follow a small god still try to explain it that way.
Matthew wants us to understand God’s perspective on Jesus’ birth. 18
Mary didn’t conceive the normal way; the Holy Spirit did this!
Joseph’s perplexing dilemma:
He loves Mary but he can’t ignore what has happened.
He has to do something! 19
Joseph is a righteous, just man.–reputation: fair, godly person.
Joseph doesn’t want to humiliate her publicly.
Unlike most people who feel betrayed, he doesn’t want to "make her pay"
– He doesn’t want to humiliate her.
Joseph wants to quietly walk away–"get on with his life."
He just wants to find healing for his own wounds.
He decides to handle it quietly, without raising a public scandal.
He loves her but he could never marry her now!
He was undoubtedly confused and hurt, but this was too much!
Nevertheless, he was willing to let go of her and quietly walk away.
In that culture he could have her stoned.
As a godly man, he isn’t just looking out for his own interests.
Paul’s definition of love: he cares about her welfare, not vengeance.
In counseling, I have had to deal with cases of marital unfaithfulness.
It isn’t easy to forgive. It isn’t easy to trust again.
That stress is even greater in a macho culture like theirs.
Joseph models godliness in his response.
He isn’t looking out for # 1!
He’s still concerned for Mary’s best interests.
He doesn't want to expose her, or make a spectacle of her.
He just wants to walk away and find healing!
He’s prepared to walk out of her life quietly
–but he’s confused, disappointed, and surprised.
He thought he knew her!
They shared the same dreams--and now this!
[ As he’s considering alternatives–a messenger from God enters the picture ]
EVIDENCE OF THE ANGEL’S REVELATION
After he considers his solution, the angel explains God's plan. 20-21
The angel affirms Joseph should marry his godly, faithful, beloved one.
He need not fear to marry her
–she hasn’t been unfaithful to him, nor would she be.
He can trust her.
This is God at work! God makes him an active participant in plan.
The Holy Spirit created this child
Mary was chosen to give birth to a Son.
Joseph is chosen to give the child His name,
–the name announces God's purpose. "YOU shall call His name "Jesus",
The child will save His people from their sins–He’s the Savior.
[ A third line of evidence is introduced from the Scriptures ]
EVIDENCE OF SCRIPTURAL AFFIRMATION
Isaiah foretold how the Savior would be born. 22-23
The prophet had promised
!Isa. 7:14 "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel."For Isaiah, the birth of a son was a sign to Israel (that generation): God is with them!
The birth of the Savior is a sign to this generation that God is with them.
TWO KEY NAMES INTRODUCED in this passage:
[ The angel announces that His name will be called: ]
(1) YESHUA => JESUS => "The salvation of Yahweh" 21
Jesus = Greek name < "Joshua" (Yeshua) means "Yahweh saves" => "SAVIOR"
"He is the One Who will save His people from their sins"
[ The prophet announces that His name will be called: ]
(2) IMMANUEL => "God with us" 23
[4th line of evidence is convincing to anyone who’s been through such disappointment: ]
EVIDENCE OF JOSEPH'S ACCEPTANCE AND FAITH
Joseph believes the testimony of the angel and of the Word of God
and reaffirms his commitment to Mary, his godly, faithful beloved one. 24-25
Joseph is convinced.
Joseph obeys God and marries her. That would require real faith!
Joseph obeys God and calls His name Jesus
Joseph calls Him SAVIOR
He acknowledges that this One is the source of salvation!
Even a fair, just person like Joseph needs a Savior!
Joseph accepts the evidence, which causes Him
to trust God’s promise
and to acknowledge that Jesus is the Savior. (That Jesus is HIS Savior!)
CAREFUL CONSIDERATION OF THE EVIDENCE SURROUNDING JESUS’ BIRTH WILL CAUSE US TO TRUST JESUS AS OUR SAVIOR.
In spite of the evidence, His people rejected Him. Jn 1:11-12
God says: "To those who received Him, that is, to those who trust Him"
—to those who stop trusting themselves and their efforts to please God,
and trust Him, the One God sent to die in our place
—to those, "God gave the privilege of becoming children of God."
Joseph acknowledges Him as "SAVIOR."
Have you responded, along with Joseph, "YES! That’s what I need. I want the gift He came to give.
I’m tired of trying to do it myself.
I need a Savior; I want God’s gift of eternal life!"
Woman in India realized she was a sinner.
"I need someone to stand between me and God!"
She heard that the Bible tells of such a One and asked someone to read it to her.
Turning to Matt. 1, he read the genealogy of Christ.
She thought what a wonderful Prince this Jesus must be to have such a long line of ancestors!
When the teacher read, "Thou shalt call His name JESUS; for He shall save His people from their sins, the woman exclaimed, "That’s the Prince I want—the Prince who is also a Savior!"
Joseph is convinced!
This child is "Jesus"—God’s salvation
Now the choice is ours.
We've seen the evidence. How will we respond?
What will WE do with Jesus?
Joseph calls Him SAVIOR.
What will YOU do with Jesus?
Is He YOUR Savior? Will you take Him as YOUR SAVIOR today?
Will you join the masses who have turned their back on Jesus–who don’t want to hear about Him?
Will you just go on with your life because you’re too busy to be bothered?
Or, will you take Him as your Savior today?
Are you more interested in an iBox or an Xbox, or an iPod, –or in eternal life?
Will you receive the Bread of life this morning?
`You can have the best gift; the gift Jesus came to give us today.