Debut
December 24, 2005 - Matthew 1:18-25
Open It
What are the tabloid headlines this week?
Why is our society so drawn to gossip and scandal?
How do people typically react when facing embarrassing situations?
Explore It
What happened to Mary while she and Joseph were engaged? (1:18)
What do you think Joseph initially thought upon hearing this news about his bride-to-be? (1:18-19)
What positive character qualities did Joseph possess? (1:19)
How did Joseph plan to handle this delicate situation? (1:19)
Why did Joseph change his plans to divorce Mary? (1:20)
If Joseph wasn't the actual father of Christ, who was? (1:18, 20)
What did the angel command Joseph to name the child and why? (1:21)
What significant mission in life would Mary's child have? (1:21)
Why is Mary's virginal conception of Christ significant? (1:22-23)
What does Immanuel mean? (1:23)
Get It
How might you have responded in Mary's situation?
What would have been your reaction had you been in Joseph's situation?
How do you think a typical church might have handled Mary's pre-marriage pregnancy?
How do you imagine the "grapevine" treated the Mary-Joseph situation?
How does it feel to be the victim of unsubstantiated rumors and gossip?
How does it feel to know that you are innocent and yet have people attacking your character and whispering behind your back?
How does our desire for approval or acceptance keep us from doing the right thing?
Apply It
What difficult, hard-to-swallow command of God do you need to obey today?
How will you respond the next time someone begins to tell you a juicy bit of gossip?
Notes
Matthew 1:18: There were three steps in a Jewish marriage. First, the two families agreed to the union. Second, a public announcement was made. At this point, the couple was "pledged." This was similar to engagement today except that their relationship could be broken only through death or divorce (even though sexual relations were not yet permitted). Third, the couple was married and began living together. Because Mary and Joseph were engaged, Mary's apparent unfaithfulness carried a severe social stigma. According to Jewish civil law, Joseph had a right to divorce her, and the Jewish authorities could have had her stoned to death (Deut. 22:23-24).
Matthew 1:18: Why is the virgin birth important to the Christian faith? Jesus Christ, God's Son, had to be free from the sinful nature passed on to all other human beings by Adam. Because Jesus was born of a woman, he was a human being; but as the Son of God, Jesus was born without any trace of human sin. Jesus is both fully human and fully divine. Because Jesus lived as a man, we know that he fully understands our experiences and struggles (Hebrews 4:15-16). Because he is God, he has the power and authority to deliver us from sin (Col. 2:13-15). We can tell Jesus all our thoughts, feelings, and needs. He has been where we are now, and he has the ability to help.
Matthew 1:18-25: Joseph was faced with a difficult choice after discovering that Mary was pregnant. His action revealed four admirable qualities: (1) righteousness (Matthew 1:19), (2) discretion and sensitivity (Matthew 1:19), (3) responsiveness to God (Matthew 1:24), and (4) self-discipline (Matthew 1:25).
Matthew 1:20-23: The conception and birth of Jesus Christ are supernatural events beyond human logic or reasoning. Because of this, God sent angels to help certain people understand the significance of what was happening (see Matthew 2:13, 19; Luke 1:11, 26; Luke 2:9).
Matthew 1:24: Joseph changed his plans quickly after learning that Mary had not been unfaithful to him (Matthew 1:19). He obeyed God and proceeded with the marriage plans. Although others may have disapproved of his decision, Joseph went ahead with what he knew was right. Sometimes we avoid doing what is right because of what others might think. Like Joseph, we must choose to obey God rather than seek the approval of others.