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“All of Jewish history prepared the way for His birth,” my
commentary said. And any Jew looking at
the names in this genealogy could certainly agree. God made a silk purse out of a sow’s
ear: Judah having a child with his
daughter-in-law Tamar; the widow Ruth finding Boaz, who’s mother was the also
the prostitute in the Jericho story; David’s affair with Bathsheba after he had
her husband killed; the good kings Uzziah, Hezekiah, and Josiah; and the really
bad king Manasseh. What a recitation of
history this was, and how amazing to
see how God used the weaknesses of
men and despite them brought our
Savior to us!
Not just any angel came to Joseph in a dream, but “an angel
of the Lord”, advising him that this
was another of those holy
interventions by God. The Holy Spirit
had enabled this pregnancy, not any man.
Previously, kings had dreamed of their sons fighting might
battles and ruling the land, but Joseph is told that his son Jesus would do something even more amazing – “He will save His people from their sins.”
What a call for Joseph.
The sidebar in my Bible, from God
Came Near by Max Lucado, said, “Regardless of the nature of the call, the
consequences are the same: civil war. Though your heart may say yes, your feet say no. Excuses blow numerously … But eventually you’re
left staring at a bare tree and a hard choice:
His will or yours? … Like Joseph, you’ve been a pretty
good branch-sitter. And then you hear the call. “I need you to go out on a limb …”
“Joseph woke up and did
what the Lord’s angel had told him
to do. Joseph took Mary as his wife … she gave birth to the son. And Joseph named him Jesus.”
Father, it’s been a dozen years since You said, “I need you to go out on a limb, Gary.” Despite some tough times, I’m so glad You did. Please speak clearly to both of my sons this
weekend. Let them hear You say, “I need you
to go out on a limb …” and help them to respond, “Yes, Lord.” Let this be another divine appointment.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
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