BUT before they came together (Matthew 1:18-25

Matthew 1:18-25

So often Mary is the center of attention when it comes to the birth of Jesus, I want to take a moment and think about Joseph.

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. 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.

Can you imagine? Mary and Joseph are engaged to be married and he finds out she is pregnant. Not just pregnant BUT pregnant by God. He loves her, His first thought is he doesn’t want to shame her. Good thing he didn’t just react BUT took time to think about his situation.

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. 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. “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:  “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel (which means “God with us”).When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.

This is yet another picture of grace to me. Joseph got it! He probably didn’t understand everything that was going on around him. BUT he trusted God and he trusted Mary.

BUT he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

Not only did Joseph remain faithful to Mary he did not sleep with her until she gave birth.

 Men remember when you love someone you will wait until the right time.

Girls remember you are a treasure.