Verse of the Day for Sunday, December 17, 2023

 

Verse of the Day
Sunday, December 17, 2023

Matthew 1:20-21

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

The angel's message is twofold: first, it reassures Joseph, telling him not to fear taking Mary as his wife because the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. This addresses Joseph's immediate concern about the nature of Mary's pregnancy and his role in it. Second, the angel reveals the child's divine mission by giving him the name Jesus, which means the Lord saves, and explaining that he will save his people from their sins. This is a direct reference to the Messianic expectation of a savior and redeemer in Jewish thought.

This passage emphasizes God's sovereignty and the fulfillment of prophecy. It serves as a reassurance of God's plan for salvation and sets the stage for the birth of Jesus, who is central to Christian belief as the Savior. It also highlights Joseph's faithfulness, as he obeys the angel's instructions without hesitation, demonstrating his trust in God's plan.

Scripture from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

This passage takes place within the context of Joseph discovering that Mary, his betrothed, is pregnant. In the Jewish culture of that time, such a situation would have been deeply troubling and potentially scandalous. Joseph, described as a righteous man, is considering how to handle the situation quietly when an angel of the Lord appears to him in a dream.