Matthew 1:18-25

18 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. 19 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.

20 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. 21 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.”

22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”(which means “God with us”).

24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

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I can only begin to imagine the myriad of feelings Joseph must have felt on learning his betrothed, Mary, was expecting a child.  Disappointment?  Anger?  Grief?  Fear?  Regardless of how he must have felt, Scripture tells us Joseph was a just man and unwilling to shame Mary, so he decided to divorce her quietly.  As Jospeh considered these things, God intervened in a powerful way!

An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream, telling him, “Do not fear to take Mary as your wife.” What a great command — DO NOT FEAR! What a wonderful assurance that God provided! The angel further explained that which is conceived in Mary is from the Holy Spirit and He is to be named Jesus.  Jesus — the one who will save His people from their sins.  The best example of grace ever!

Again, I wonder what Joseph must have felt following the angel’s appearance to him in the dream. Happiness?  Joy?  Hope?  Comfort?  We know from Scripture that Joseph followed the command of the angel not to be afraid and did not divorce Mary.  Joseph was obedient to God as he followed the angel’s command.

As Christians, we are mandated through Scripture to live a bold life without fear as we live in obedience to the Father.  As we do this, it reflects the love of Jesus Christ and His grace to the people around us and demonstrates the peace He provides.

Love in Christ!

– Mrs. Lynnette Warren