Matthew 1:18-2:12
“She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 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 1:21–23, ESV)
Joseph was in the worst place of his life. When Mary told him that she was pregnant by the Holy Spirit, it was more than he could handle. His heart was broken. And yet Joseph was a just man and unwilling to put Mary to shame. He loved her, but he knew he had to break off the engagement. Joseph did not understand that God was working something in his life too marvelous for words. He would be entrusted with the privilege and responsibility of caring for and training the Son of God! He would be teaching his trade of carpentry to the one who made everything.
The angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph and told him not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife, for the embryo forming in her was truly conceived by the Holy Spirit. He was to name the boy Jesus, which means “Yahweh saves”, for He would save His people from their sins. This baby, whom Joseph would soon hold, would also be his Savior. The young woman he loved had been chosen for the greatest honor any woman could ever know: to be the mother of God’s only Son. In a mystery that defies human comprehension, God would dwell with His people in the body of a child.
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9, NLT)
If only we understood the wonders that God has prepared for us. But so often they are hidden from our eyes in hardship, pain, and sorrow. What do we do? We must trust in the Lord and continue to do good. In our time of desperation, we must call on the name of the Lord, for He will save us from our sins and from our suffering. In just the right time, God will send an angel, a thoughtful friend, or the comfort of the Holy Spirit to let us know that we don’t need to be afraid. He has the situation and us in His grip. We’re going to be OK because God is with us.