Here is what we know.
John 8:12 ESV
12 Again, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
John 1:4 ESV
4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
1. HUH?THAT!
18 The birth of Jesus Christ came about this way: After his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, it was discovered before they came together that she was pregnant from the Holy Spirit. 19 So her husband, Joseph, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her publicly, decided to divorce her secretly.
Luke 1:35
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore, the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God.”
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THE TEA
2. A CHOICE
19 So her husband, Joseph, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her publicly, decided to divorce her secretly.
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3. A CHOICE
20 But after he had considered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife because what has been conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 “She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus because he will save his people from their sins.”
Isaiah 41:10 – Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
4. IT REALLY CAME
22 Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name him Immanuel, which is translated as “God is with us.”
Isaiah 7:14 – 14: “Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: See, the virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel.
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5.
24 When Joseph woke up, he did as the Lord’s angel had commanded him. He married her 25 but did not have sexual relations with her until she gave birth to a son. And he named him Jesus.
Hebrews 11:8 – 8 By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and set out for a place that he was going to receive as an inheritance. He went out, even though he did not know where he was going.
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John 1:4 ESV
4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
1.(MATTHEW 1:18-19)
How might Joseph have felt upon learning about Mary’s pregnancy?
What does this reveal about his character when he considered divorcing her quietly?
2.(MATTHEW 1:20-21)
What does Joseph’s obedience to the angel’s message teach us about faith and trust in God, even when the situation defies human logic?
Why does this seem so easy for some and hard for others?
3.(MATTHEW 1:22-23)
Reflecting on the prophecy from Isaiah 7:14, how does the fulfillment of this prophecy strengthen our faith in God’s plans and promises?
What parallels can you draw between Joseph’s obedience and other examples of faith (e.g., Abraham, Noah)?
4. (MATTHEW 1:24-25)
How does this story speak to moments in your life when obedience to God required faith and courage?
How can we carry the light of Christ into situations that seem filled with shame, scandal, or darkness?
How can we pray for you?