Christmas Advent Devotional Day 16: You Shall Call His Name

 

 Matthew 1:18-21

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. 20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” (NKJV, emphasis mine)

 

Yesterday, we left Joseph in a pickle, without a solution. Today, we pick up on the account. The Greek word for "thought about" or “considered” (enthymeomai) in verse 20 has two meanings. One is to consider or ponder, the second is to become angry. There is a good possibility that Joseph is angry- and with good cause. We have no evidence of the Lord appearing to Joseph beforehand (as He had to Mary) in a dream or speaking through an angel, about what is to happen.  He was flying blind. He heard his intended is pregnant.  It is certainly not his, of course, he would be frustrated and upset that the life he had planned for himself had been marred.

It is in this place of considering his circumstances (or in feeling angry) that the Angel of the Lord (possibly a preincarnate appearance of Jesus Himself) appears to Joseph with direction. There are several important things that the Angel of the Lord reveals to him.

First, the angel calls him by name. This is so beautiful. Even as God is setting the stage to redeem all of mankind, he cares for one man who is upset. God sees him and God knows him.

The second thing to notice is that he is called the son of David. This is important, as you recall from day 8, because Jesus was prophesied to come from the line of David. Although technically, Joseph was not Jesus’s father, the Lord took care to keep even his stepfather in the same lineage.

A third thing the Angel reveals to Joseph is that he should not be afraid. Yes, people would question his decision probably. Yes, he was taking on a lot to father a child that was not his own. But God is now revealing to him that he is making him a part of his redemptive plan as well. Oh, the kindness of God! - to care about each one that is a part of this story.

Fourth, God takes responsibility for the Child's parentage. He points out that the child has come to be through the work of His Holy Spirit- and not of any sin or wrongdoing. Imagine the relief this brought to Joseph's troubled and angry heart. The one he had pledged himself to, had kept herself faithful to him as well.

Finally, the angel reveals to Joseph that the child is a son. (First century ultrasound?!)  Joseph's part was not to sire the child, but his duty was to care for Mary and give the Child a name. The name Jesus. The name Jesus means “the Lord saves”. Every time they called His name, they would be prophesying the future salvation that He would bring. Mary was not only giving birth to a Child that was not his, but she would give birth to the Child that would save both he and Mary (and all mankind) from their sins.

A situation that at first blush, appeared to have the stench of sin all over it, was, in fact, the most holy act to ever be performed. The Savior of the world had stepped down from glory and He had taken up residence in the womb of Mary, Joseph's betrothed.

Whatever your need today, call on The Name. The name that alone can save. Call on Jesus.