Today's Scripture:
Matthew 1:18-25 18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). 24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
Reflect: Reflect on a story in your life that pertains to this scripture.
Things are much different in our western culture and as a divorced man I am mostly free from disgrace. I definitely feel shame, but that is not always a consequence of a broken marriage. I have a reasonably amicable relationship with my ex-wife and my son jokes by saying we have the ideal broken marriage.
Read: What is this scripture telling you during this season?
The scripture is the story of a courageous man whose words were never included in scripture but whose wife is the most honored of God's children and mother to our Lord Jesus. His courage is seen by his willingness to buck the culture of his time in order to protect his vulnerable teen-aged betrothed wife
Respond: How is this scripture calling you to respond?
My life experience and certain gifts have prepared me by God's grace to serve by example and determined effort to be approachable where God has placed me.. .
About Jim Weatherall:
Retired older man with a sweet wife, Ruth, 11 Grandchildren with 5 spouses, 4 great-grandchildren.
Joined Joined Grace in 1988 and have had the pleasure of serving as deacon, elder, teacher, singer / guitarist, disciple group participant, facilitator of a divorce recovery group, and men in recovery.