The Daily Fountain Daily Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 19 March 2020 – TOPIC: THE MAN JOSEPH

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DATE: THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2020
(St. Joseph of Nazareth)
TOPIC: THE MAN JOSEPH
READ: MATTHEW 1:18-25 (NKJV)

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.”
22. So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying:
23. “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”
24. Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife,
25. and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS.

THE MESSAGE:

Joseph was engaged to Mary and that engagement was carried out in purity and holiness. Though they were planning for marriage, they were not living or sleeping together. You can imagine the embarrassment of Joseph seeing Mary already pregnant when he never slept with her. Joseph was described as a just man (verse 19); he thought of ways to put Mary away discreetly without causing shame to her. Mary was also a virgin up to that moment (verse 23). In the midst of the embarrassment, Joseph was still thoughtful. He is really a good example to men.

The trend today is that even before there is a mention of marriage proposal or after it, the two partners will start living or sleeping together almost immediately. Even where the marriage matures, the bride comes to the altar with pregnancy and still covers her face with a veil (sign of ‘purity’). Some of these partnerships may collapse on the way and bring shame, especially to the lady. Thank God that He intervened and saved Joseph the embarrassment. Again, Joseph showed his maturity by not sleeping with Mary even while she was carrying the pregnancy (verse 25). We thank God the controversy did not overshadow the birth of the Saviour of the world – God manifested His power that a virgin could get pregnant without sexual relationship with a man.

PRAYER: Lord may You help me to emulate the maturity of Joseph in handling thorny marital issues and family issues.