But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David…
God knew him by name. God knew him by heritage. God knew him by character.
do not fear…
The issue was fear – Joseph feared he would do the wrong thing. So God was going to tell him what to do.
to take Mary as your wife,
Ah, sweet Mary, the love of his life! He doesn’t have to cancel all of their plans! He doesn’t have to divorce her before they were really married. He can still hold her, stroke her hair; tease her as she’s baking bread. She can still be his wife!
…for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
The crazy story of immaculate conception is true, not just from the lips of his pregnant fiancée, but from the voice of an angel! Mary had her miracle; now Joseph has his.
She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
It’s the logistics, the details, that brings everything together and satisfies prophecy. Now he knows exactly what to do. Damn the naysayers! Let the gossip flow. He was going to have Mary as his wife, and a son, and a hope for the future not only of himself, but his nation.
Lord, thank you for the times you have confirmed your leading in my life. Thank you for the times you gave me a green light in the midst of confusion and the frustration of trying to figure it out by myself. Lord, thank you for speaking to us, either by angels or by a still small voice in our soul. Amen.
(more on Friday)
