ICS Dail Devotions
Mary and Joseph
Matthew 1:24-25 (NKJV) Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife. And did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.
It takes true obedience and submission to accept a woman who is already pregnant as your wife especially if you barely even know her. That was what happened when Joseph took Mary as his wife.
Joseph obeyed God and took Mary as his wife so that the Abrahamic covenant would be fulfilled and all the nations on the earth would be blessed.
Luke 1:38(NKJV) Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. (emphasis added)
Likewise, Mary was a model of responsive obedience even though she did not fully comprehend how she could conceive a baby despite not being with a man. It was of course a miraculous virgin birth.
She chose to obey and be used as a vessel by God. Sometimes, we might not see the full picture or the plan of God but we need to obey. It cost Mary and Joseph some real inconveniences (to say the least), but they obeyed out of their love for God.
Mary and Joseph were the conduits to fulfill the plan of God. They were willing to consecrate themselves to serve God. They were chosen to do the will of God through their lives.
Can you imagine that? Jesus was brought into this world out of Mary’s and Joseph’s obedience to God. Jesus, the Saviour of the world came to seek and save those who were lost! This IS the very reason for Christmas!
Luke 19:9-10 (NKJV) And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (emphasis added)
During this Christmas season, let us remind ourselves that Christ came to earth to seek and to save those who are lost. Through the Holy Spirit, He will use us to seek out the lost in the neighborhood and corporate offices. We are His ambassadors who have been given the Word and the ministry of reconciliation between God and men. We are to carry the message of the Good News that Jesus came for the ungodly. Jesus has dealt with the power of sin on the cross and all we need to do is to acknowledge our sins and His finished work on the cross and call upon the name of Jesus to be saved.
It is alright if you are the only Christian in the office because your partner – the Holy Spirit – will help you. It is He who will convict the person. We are just conduits for God’s blessing and a messenger of the Good News! We can choose to be a good vessel to be used by God. God has a will for every one of our lives to serve Him. This Christmas let it be a good time to reflect upon our relationship with the Lord, who He is and decide how our next year should be like in terms of our life’s priorities. Are you willing to be used by God just as Mary and Joseph were willing?
Sermon Series: Christmas
