Messiah’s Coming: “A Man’s Gift ” – Matthew 1-2

DO you have a man you need to get a gift for? Why are they so hard to buy for? Men don’t all respond to Christmas the same way! If we look back the first Christmas, they never did! If Joseph could tell the story of the first Christmas, it might not sound like a Hallmark card or a sweet choir version of “Silent Night”. The timing was uncomfortable and his feelings were uncertain. The gift he got for Christmas came at the price of surrender.

Have you thought back to the Christmases of your youth? I have a mental image of a living room floor piled high with paper that was hastily torn from our packages. I recall great “LOOTA” fights. A “loota” for the uninitiated, is a long cardboard tube, so named for what my brothers and sisters used to say in it. If you came to my house, we would have been loud saying “A LOOTA” through the tube. Our favorite use was to hold it to your ear, tell a secret, and then when you least expected it, YELL AS LOUD AS WE COULD in the tube. We were a sadistic lot, the Smith kids.

I think I have mentioned to about everyone I have ever talked about concerning Christmas at the Smith home that in my family the Christmas tree turned about every year with the hand crafts and pictures of the children raised by my parents over the years. Coming from a large home that took foster children, the tree was like a cross between a family album and a craft show. Watching that tree turn round and round playing Christmas carols and observing the lights as they made shapes on the ceiling is a vivid memory – along with the year I snuck up to the attic and saw the big wheel that I was going to get for Christmas without mom knowing about it (until my brother told on me – but that is another story…)

I wonder what Joseph and Mary would say if they could look back to the very first Christmas and then sit and listen to our Christmas carols and plays. Do you think Mary thought it was a “Slient night, Holy night?” Let’s let the Word of God speak – it offers enough of a word painting to do the story justice…

Joseph’s Christmas lesson is our Key Principle: God will lead you if you surrender to His story and not make your life about your own story! (Mt. 1:18-25). Joe might say it this way: “I learned that God works in strange ways, but if I obey what He has already told me, he will direct my next steps into what will bring the best for me and everyone I touch!” Let’s go back in time and read the familiar story, paying close attention to the details.

Mt. 1:18 “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. 19 And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. 20 But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 “She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” 22 Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 “BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL,” which translated means, “GOD WITH US.” 24 And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife, 25 but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus.”

Before we can do much with this story, let’s pay close attention to the details of the small sketch of Joseph given to us in the Scriptures:

• The first statement concerning (1:18a) in the text is Joseph was betrothed, and held up his end of the sexual purity bargain with her. Joe was without blame in his conduct with Mary. Joe was CLEAN.

• The second statement (1:18b) is that he discovered his betrothed was with child and that the claim was that the baby was from the Holy Spirit (the notion that it was sure is a wrong assumption based on the need for the dream in v. 20). When Joseph discovered that Mary was pregnant (Likely she told him after the visit of Gabriel recorded in Lk. 1:26-38), he got news he didn’t know what to do with. Joe was SHOCKED.

• The third statement (1:19) was that Joe’s response was going to be proactive to protect both their reputations and get her to a confidential place to have the child. Because he was apparently a leader in the synagogue, he wanted to dispose of the contract without public scandal to himself or the girl. He was willing to draw up the papers and submit for a quiet finding of the rabbis on Deuteronomy 22:24-26 while she was away from the village. Joe couldn’t wait for things to develop, he was the leader. Joe made PLANS.

• The fourth statement (1:20) came from an angel in a dream. Joe was afraid, and the fear was driving his decision making. He wasn’t sure about her –who could blame him? He wasn’t sure about how he could face raising a child by another man. He wasn’t sure how he could trust her. The angel laid to rest his fears with gentle words of truth. Joe was CONVINCED.

• The fifth statement (1:21) offered evidence of the veracity of the angel’s words  -you will have a son, but it coupled that evidence with a command – you will call Him Yeshua. He believed the words of the angel and got ready. Joe was PREPARED.

• The sixth statement (1:22-23) offered more evidence to underscore the truth of the event – It was Biblically sound. The angel appealed to Joe’s knowledge of the Word to settle him. Joe was KNOWLEDGEABLE.

• The seventh statement (1:24) reveals that Joe awoke with a commitment in his heart to do as the Lord revealed. He would call the baby Jesus. He would maintain the purity of the marriage. He would not endanger the reputation of the baby as Abraham was willing to do with Sarah before Isaac’s birth. Joe was OBEDIENT.

What a great thumbnail sketch of a man God used! He lived inside the boundaries of sexual purity and obedience. He learned the Scriptures and led a community with a circumspect life. He attempted to protect the reputations of people in the story, and was pliable when God spoke into his life. His path changed when God ordered it to. In the end, he was a good man, and his doubts were understandable to anyone here today!

1)       Joseph was a faithful leader without a vindictive spirit when hurt. Can you imagine the confusion? The embarrassment – anger – Probably a mixture.

2)       He lived within the law, and understood authority but wanted to show mercy.

3)       His walk did NOT protect him from misunderstanding God’s program. He responded to what God had revealed to him, and needed more revelation to alter course.

God had to speak to Joe through a series of dreams – three of them are specifically cited in the New Testament. The first one we just saw, but it really helps us understand the man. We love to think of great men as LEADERS, but Joe’s call was completely different!

Look in dream number one:

Joe was told to abandon his plans to send her away – an overt call to surrender control of the situation based on experience and trust God’s Word. Joe was called to stop leading and FOLLOW. Remember: some men won’t take directions even when they are lost!

Joe was told to drop his mistrust and open his heart to raising a child given from the Spirit (1:20). Joseph should not fear taking this woman as his wife, for she had not been unfaithful to him (1:20). Marriage is a serious commitment, and faithfulness to that covenant is something God takes seriously. Without this revelation, Joseph should have feared. People that can’t make it through an engagement are a ticking bomb in marriage, unless God deals with their hearts!

Fear… Afraid… I get it. Joseph didn’t understand and was hurt. Without God stepping in to explain, he had only his pain and his tears. Fear is a terrible guide, and tears block a view of the world and make us feel alone. God heard Joseph’s hurt and fear. He always hears…

“God hears our cries. He hears our cry no matter the time of the day or night He hears our cry no matter where we are. He hears the cry of every creature on the face of the earth. He hears the cry of a child who cries as her daddy drives away on yet another business trip. She will see him again on Saturday morning. Make that Saturday afternoon. He has a golf game on Saturday morning. God hears her cry.

He hears the cry of the teenage boy who cries himself to sleep in the security of his bedroom after spending his weekend with his step-dad and his mother. The rest of the week he will be with his Dad and his step-mother. He will repeat this same scenario next weekend, and the weekend after that, and the weekend after that. God hears his cry.

He hears the cry of the wife who cries as she wonders if the man she married so many years ago will come home today. They had a big fight and he left angry. Words were spoken that neither one meant to speak. She wants to call him, but she is afraid he will not answer his phone. God hears her cry. God hears his cry… wherever he may be.

He hears the cry of the executive who closes the door to his office and turns his chair away from the window so no one will see his tears. He has just gotten a notice that his position is being phased out. His wife moved out last week. He has no place to go. He has no one to tell. So he sits alone in his office and he cries. God hears his cry.

He hears the cry of the husband who walks down the hall toward the exit of the nursing home where he left his wife. She has not recognized him for quite sometime. He puts the key in the ignition and cries for his wife. God hears his cry.

He hears the cry of a lady who walks into a church and finds a seat. She sits alone. No one speaks to her. No one notices she is there. No one notices when she leaves. As she walks through the parking lot to her car she cries. She cries for the love of someone… anyone. God hears her cry.”(2) He was told to reign in his emotions and ego and be obedient to the revealed Word. He could not shape this story – he was to FOLLOW.

Joe was told to give up the right to choose the name of the baby – a very great privilege that was well illustrated by Zecharias and John’s birth. The future of these sons was NOT in their earthly father’s hands – and they needed to surrender that in the beginning of the venture. At the same time, both Joseph and Zecharias got to fill the physical role of naming their sons. Joseph received the privilege of naming the boy according to God’s direction (1:21). Even though his role was diminished, he had a role. God didn’t cut him out, but loved him enough to include him. God also gave him to a man that He could trust to follow instructions! What a blessing to follow what God says, and be entrusted great things! God did it because He loved Joe. He wasn’t just USING Him, but He was USING him for God’s own marvelous and loving purpose!

A few Christmases ago I read you this story, but it was so good, I want to recycle it! It is a tender reminder that we can do much more if we know we are loved! Dr. James Dobson relates a true story of an elderly woman named Stella Thornhope who was struggling with her first Christmas alone. Her husband had died just a few months prior from cancer. Now, several days before Christmas, she felt terribly alone—so much so she decided she was not going to decorate for Christmas. Late that afternoon the doorbell rang, and there was a delivery boy with a box. He said, “Mrs. Thornhope?” She nodded. He said, “Would you sign here?” As she signed the paper she asked, “What’s in the box?” The young man laughed and opened up the flap, and inside was a little puppy. The delivery boy picked up the squirming pup and explained, “This is for you, Ma’am. He’s six weeks old, completely housebroken.” The young puppy began to wiggle in happiness at being released from captivity. “Who sent this?” Mrs. Thornhope asked. The young man set the animal down and handed her an envelope and said, “It’s all explained here in this envelope, Ma’am. The dog was bought last July while its mother was still pregnant. It was meant to be a Christmas gift to you.” In desperation she again asked, “Who sent me this puppy?” As the young man turned to leave, he said, “Your husband, Ma’am. Merry Christmas.” She opened up the letter from her husband. He had written it three weeks before he died and left it with the kennel owners to be delivered with the puppy as his last Christmas gift to her. The letter was full of love and encouragement and admonishments to be strong. He vowed he was waiting for the day when she would join him. He had sent her this young animal to keep her company until then. She wiped away the tears, put the letter down, and then remembering the puppy at her feet, she picked up that golden furry ball and held it to her neck. Then she looked out the window at the lights that outlined the neighbor’s house, and she heard from the radio in the kitchen the strains of “Joy to the World, the Lord has come.” Suddenly Stella felt the most amazing sensation of peace washing over her. Her heart felt a joy and a wonder greater than the grief and loneliness. “Little fella,” she said to the dog, “it’s just you and me. But you know what? There’s a box down in the basement I’ll bet you’d like. It’s got a little Christmas tree in it and some decorations and some lights. And there’s a manger scene down there. Let’s go get it.” Joseph was called to allow God to tell a different story through his life than most men with sons. He was called to FOLLOW.

The angel also explained the purpose this “Yeshua” would have – to save people from sin (1:21). The angel explained this was in keeping with God’s promise of a Messiah (1:22-23). Joe wouldn’t choose the boy’s learning, or his apprenticeship path. He would be directed by God’s revealed truth. He would FOLLOW. God’s answer to Joseph was, I understand why you are afraid, but I know what happened, and I am at work. TRUST ME! I won’t break your heart and leave you there.

The angel shared that God had a bigger agenda than Joseph’s family, He was saving the world! (1:21b). What God calls on us to do is to trust His Word. It will keep us safe and give us the inner qualities that offer fulfillment and sufficiency! We must learn to look past our problems and even our lives to the greater picture of what God is doing. We can give much for a cause that is greater!

Look at the size of the gift God was giving into the hands of Joseph! I heard two men in our church foyer discussing what they were going to buy theirs wives for Christmas this year. One of the men said, “This year I think I will just wrap myself up as a present and give myself to my wife.” To which the other man replied, “Well I am not giving my wife much either!”

God had shared that the Messiah would come from Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). He told through Daniel the timing of the coming (173,880 days after the command to rebuild Jerusalem in Daniel 9:26ff). He said that He would send one who was “God with us” in Isaiah 7:14. He promised He would bring light to the Galilee highway used by Gentiles in their international travels (Isaiah 9:6). He promised the Messiah as a child, born to His people and that child would be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) as He was when Thomas saw Him after the resurrection and cried out to Jesus in John 20:28, “My Lord and My God!” or when Paul called Jesus both God and Savior (in Titus 2 and 3).

Well, Joseph awoke and followed what the angel told him to do, agreeing to abide to the covenant marriage but not consummating the marriage (1:24-26). When the census came, Joseph journeyed to Bethlehem (his ancestral home, Lk. 2:1-4). Still in Bethlehem some time later, the toddler Jesus was visited by some eastern Magi (2:1-12).

I’m sure the birth of Jesus was the worst kept secret in Bethlehem that morning. Things that matter, show. A group of prospectors set out from Bannock, Montana in search of gold. They went through many hardships, and several of their little company died en route. Defeated, discouraged and downhearted, the prospectors headed back to the city. As they tethered out the limping ponies on a creek side, one of the men casually picked up a little stone from the creek bed. He called to his buddy for a hammer and upon cracking the rock, he said, “It looks as though there may be gold here.” The two of them panned gold the rest of the afternoon and managed to realize twelve dollars worth. The entire little company panned gold the next day in the same creek and realized fifty dollars, a great sum in those days. They said to one another; “We’ve struck it rich!” But they needed more equipment and supplies to finish mining the gold, so they saddled up and headed back to Bannock vowing not to breathe a word concerning this gold strike. They secretively set about reequipping themselves with supplies for another prospecting trip. When they got ready to go back, they were surprised to find three hundred men following them. Who had told them? No one! The writer of the book accounted thus for the incident: “Their beaming faces betrayed the secret!” You can’t keep joy a secret. If you have it, it shows.

It was about that time that dream number two came along: Joseph had a dream that his family was in danger, and he should move them to Egypt for a time (2:13-15).

Mt. 2:13 “Now when they had gone, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up! Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him.” 14 So Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was still night, and left for Egypt. 15 He remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “OUT OF EGYPT I CALLED MY SON.”

Joseph saw God’s hand a second time, working on behalf of his family to protect Yeshua. The lesson deepened here. He was a dad, a husband. Yet, he could not protect his family apart from God’s work on his behalf. He couldn’t choose to order where they would live. He was called to FOLLOW.

Some time passed, and Joe waited as God held his little family in Egypt. The language was strange. The customs were pagan. The place was uncomfortable. He lived off the gifts of the Magi and waited. His male desire to LEAD had been trimmed – but this was getting old. His male ego based on accomplishment was being badly eroded. The surrender process is never easy on leader types – and many men find following God a difficult thing.

About this time, the third dream came into play. After the death of Herod the Great, Joseph was again told in a dream to bring the baby back to Israel’s homeland, and he moved the family to Nazareth (2:19-23).

Mt. 2:19 “But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, and said, 20 “Get up, take the Child and His mother, and go into the land of Israel; for those who sought the Child’s life are dead.” 21 So Joseph got up, took the Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Then after being warned by God in a dream, he left for the regions of Galilee, 23 and came and lived in a city called Nazareth. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophets: “He shall be called a Nazarene.”

Did you see those verses? Joe came back to Israel, heard who was on the throne and was again afraid. The continuing theme of his life is that he is afraid – and that fear is matched by God’s Word – revealed direction. Joseph learned that what God desires is that we walk in obedience to His revealed Word. Doing so, we will be what He intends for us and He will use our lives to His glory.

Joseph was reported to have died when Jesus was young. He apparently did not live to see Jesus become well known. Yet, his name and character are the stuff of legend. Do you think he will say in Heaven, “It was worth it! I obeyed the Lord and it was truly worth it!” I* think Joe will be an eternal testimony to this truth: God will lead you if you surrender to His story and not make your life about your own story!

Jesus said it best: John 12:24 “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 “He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal. 26 “If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.”

Joe gave it all up – but what did he truly LOSE? Nothing… nothing at all. The gift God gave him was just right.