In
these verses, we see how God prepared the people and circumstances for the Sovereign
Lord of the universe to break into history and humanity. We get to see the
stage being set for the eternal, timeless God to break into time and space. Here
the two key persons, Joseph and Mary, whom God had chosen for this event, are
introduced. We get to see the significant roles each played, to bring about the
whole divine drama.
Our
Lord’s conception was one that was supernaturally engineered. This godly couple
was engaged but had not formally stayed together as man and wife yet. Then Mary,
the wife to be, was found to be pregnant with a child. Clearly and explicitly, verse
18 tells us that no sexual relationship was involved in this conception. The
third person of the Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary and she became pregnant with
the Lord Jesus Christ. This would be the one and only time in the history of
mankind that a conception could take place without sexual intimacy. So humanly
speaking, it would be understandable for anyone to think that Mary was
unfaithful to Joseph. No child could ever be conceived without sexual intimacy.
The intention of Joseph revealed that this was the way he thought too. And
being a righteous man, he did not want to kick up a fuss and disgrace Mary. So,
he resolved to secretly dissolve the engagement and to send her away quietly.
As
he was pondering how he should go about it, the angel of the Lord visited him
in a dream and told him the plan of God. The Son whom Mary was bearing was brought
about by the intervention of the Holy Spirit. He name, as we know, is to be
called Jesus. It’s a name that encompasses His earthly mission i.e. to save his
people from their sins. Again His mission was slated in God’s Divine agenda and
announced hundreds of years earlier. Through the prophet Isaiah, God had made known
His intention. In the name Immanuel, God also made known His intention. He
wants to be the God who is with His people. How can it be any clearer? We are
sure glad that Joseph acknowledged that this was indeed God’s ordained plan. He
obeyed and took Mary, married her and did not have any intimacy with her till
Jesus our Lord was born.
The
heart of God is clear. The sinless Saviour was conceived without any human
will. His virgin birth is God’s design and He came into humanity perfect and without
the sin nature. The book of Hebrews tells us that He was made at all points
like us, yet without sin. We are also introduced to the two names of our Lord.
They are: Jesus and Immanuel. One tells us that He is the One who would set
free us from the bondage and effect of our sins. The other tells us that He
will be with us. We need Him near. Let’s
give thanks to God for the removal of our sins. Let’s also daily connect with
God and draw near to Him for He is with us!
No comments:
Post a Comment