Anchor My Faith

The Obedience of Joseph

Scripture: Matthew 1:21-25

In our previous lesson, Joseph is visited by an angel and informed that Mary is pregnant, not through an act of evil, but through an act of God and that he is to take her as his wife. The angel, who we think was Gabriel, continues his instruction and says: “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21 ESV). Compare this with what Gabriel said to Zachariah in Luke 1:13 (ESV): “. . . your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.” He said that each would bear a son and then gave the name that was to be given. Elizabeth’s son was to be named John and Mary’s son was to be named Jesus.

The name Jesus was a popular name at the time and is the same as Savior and is derived from the verb signifying to save. In Hebrew it is the same as Joshua as translated in both Acts 7:45 and Hebrews 4:8. The name Jesus was given to sons as symbolic hope for the coming of the Messiah, who would bring salvation, purify his people and save them from oppression. The angel points out that the oppression is not from an external force like the Romans, but from the oppression of sin. Sin is the real enemy, not the Roman empire. The idea that sin is the enemy and not the Roman government is going to be a difficult idea to convince people of; even the disciples had problems accepting it.

“All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us)” (Matthew 1:22 – 23 ESV). What is taking place, that John is writing about, he says is in fulfillment of an event spoken of in Isaiah 7:14 (ESV): “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” This prophecy was delivered about 740 years before this time.

This son that Mary would bear would be unique and the result of a miracle. I do not believe an egg was used from Mary, but like with the first Adam, God created a second Adam within the womb of Mary. In Hebrews 10:5, it is reported that Jesus said (ESV): “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me.” This body provided human flesh in which to cloth the Word that became flesh in John 1:14. In this way the creator of the universe enters his own creation to deliver us from our enemy, which is death from sin.

Little needs to be said to finish this section as it is commentary in itself: “When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus” (Matthew 1:24 – 25 ESV). Joseph was obedient and did as the angel instructed. He took Mary as his wife, but did not have sexual relationships with her until after the birth of her son who they named Jesus. 

Prayer

Father, what a marvelous plan salvation is and how interesting and detailed is that plan as it is unfolded before us in our study. Bringing together the right people at the right time doing the right thing was no small matter and required a miracle or two along the way. Truly, our salvation was an act of God.