¶ Intro
Welcome to In the Field Audio Bible , where we listen to the Bible one chapter at a time . I'm Christie , your host for this special series called the Christmas Story . I'm so glad you're here as we continue our journey exploring the timeless scriptures that tell of the birth of Jesus Christ .
In our previous episodes , we began with the Gospel of John 1:1-14 , where we marveled at the eternal word of God . John reminded us that Jesus , the light of the world , was present from the beginning and through him all things were made .
We reflected on the profound truth that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us , a divine act of love that brought God's grace and truth to humanity . Then we moved to the Gospel of Luke 1: 26- 56 , where we heard the angel Gabriel's announcement to Mary , a young woman chosen by God to bring the Savior into the world .
Mary's humble and faith-filled response let it be to me , according to your word sets the tone for what it means to trust in God's promises . We also heard Mary's song , where she praises God for His mercy , his faithfulness and His ability to lift the lowly .
If you haven't had a chance to listen to these foundational episodes , I encourage you to visit our website at inthefieldaudiobiblecom . There you can catch up on prior episodes and dive deeper into the story through our blog posts , which offer additional reflections and insights .
Today we shift our focus to the Gospel of Matthew 1:18-25 , where the story of Jesus' birth takes another significant step . Here we see the events unfold through the eyes of Joseph , Mary's husband-to-be , who faces a life-changing revelation .
Through Joseph's encounter with an angel , we see God's plan to bring his son into the world begin to take shape , a plan that fulfills prophecy and demonstrates his redemptive power . Prophecy and demonstrates his redemptive power .
As we explore this passage , we'll consider the courage , faith and obedience required to follow God's will , even when it challenges our understanding of how life should go . We'll also see how Joseph , like Mary , plays a vital role in the Christmas story by trusting in God's plan becoming an earthly father to Emmanuel - God with us .
So settle in , take a deep breath and join me as we continue this journey through the scriptures . Together , let's reflect on the beauty and wonder of the story that changed the world forever
¶ Matthew 1:18-25
the Gospel of Matthew 1:18-25 . This is how the birth of Jesus , the Messiah , came about . His mother , Mary and Joseph had promised to get married , but before they started to live together , it became clear that she was going to have a baby . She became pregnant by the power of the Holy Spirit .
Her husband , Joseph , was faithful to the law , but he did not want to put her to shame in public , so he planned to divorce her quietly . But as Joseph was thinking about this , an angel of the Lord had said , through the prophet, the virgin is going to have a baby . She will give birth to a son , son and he will be called Emmanuel (Isaiah 7:4) .
The name Emmanuel means God with us . Joseph woke up . He did what the angel of the Lord commanded him to do . He took Mary home as his wife , but he did not sleep with her until she gave birth to a son and Joseph gave him the name Jesus .
¶ Outro
In the Gospel of Matthew 1: 18- 25 , one of the most profound aspects of Joseph's story is his responsibility to name the baby Jesus . This act may seem like a simple gesture , but in the context of Jewish culture and faith , it was deeply significant . Naming a child was not merely a way to identify them .
It was an act of authority and recognition and a declaration of identity and purpose . By naming the child Jesus , joseph fully accepted his role in God's divine plan . The name itself , given by the angel , means the Lord saves . This was no ordinary name .
It captured the mission and destiny of the child , who would grow up to be the savior of the world , and destiny of the child who would grow up to be the Savior of the world . When Joseph spoke this name , he was affirming his faith in the angel's message and declaring the truth of who this child was meant to be .
It's also worth noting the legal and relational implications of Joseph naming Jesus . In naming him , Joseph publicly acknowledged the child as his own , effectively adopting Jesus into his family . This action solidified Jesus' place in the lineage of David , fulfilling the Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah coming from David's house .
For Joseph , naming Jesus was more than a duty . It was an act of obedience and trust in God's plan . By taking this step , he aligned his will with God's , even when the situation was beyond human comprehension . It was a tangible way of saying yes , Lord , I trust you and I will do as you ask . Imagine the weight of that moment for Joseph .
The angel had revealed that this child would save his people from their sins . As a father , Joseph would be assigned with protecting , teaching and guiding this child , who carried the destiny of all humanity on his shoulders . In naming him Jesus , Joseph was not just giving the child a name . He was proclaiming hope and salvation to the world .
Proclaiming hope and salvation to the world . Joseph's obedience in naming Jesus also serves as a powerful reminder to us . It challenges us to consider the ways we respond to God's call , especially when it requires stepping into roles that demand faith and courage .
Just as Joseph accepted his role in the story of redemption , we too are invited to trust God and to align our lives with His greater purpose . Let's take Joseph's example to heart this Christmas season . His act of naming the child Jesus wasn't just about following instructions . It was about embracing God's plan with faith and humility .
It was about declaring to the world that this child , born in the humblest of circumstances , was the Savior who would bring light to the darkness and hope to all people . As we reflect on this part of the Christmas story , may we , like Joseph , have the courage to trust God's plans , even when God challenges us to step out in faith .
May we remember that every act of obedience , no matter how small it seems , plays a part in God's greater purpose . Thank you for joining me for today's episode . I hope that Joseph's story inspires you . I hope it inspires you to embrace the roles and responsibilities God places in your life , knowing that His plans are always good and for His glory .
Until next time , may your heart be filled with peace and joy of Emmanuel , God with us . Until we meet again , wishing you grace and peace .