Matthew 1:18-25, Common English Bible

How often do you make promises?  Do you keep most of your promises?  What keeps you honoring your promises?  God is a God of promises!  Throughout the Bible and throughout our lives, God reminds us of the promises made to Israel and to us as Gentiles.

Matthew begins with spinning the mind of the people gathered.  In a world where women were considered second class, Matthew places Mary as the first name mentioned in the birth narrative.  After the name of Mary is spoken, it immediately gets chaotic!  The evolution of God’s promises happens when…

Our behavior reflects our belief!
Joseph her husband was a righteous man.  Because he didn’t want to humiliate her, he decided to call off their engagement quietly.   Matthew 1:19

God offers an alternative!
As he was thinking about this, an angel from the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because the child she carries was conceived by the Holy Spirit.”   Matthew 1:20

Joseph accepts Jesus!
Look!  A virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, And they will call him, Emmanuel.  (Emmanuel means “God with us.”)  When Joseph woke up, he did just as an angel from God commanded and took Mary as his wife.   Matthew 1:23-24

Hear the W.O.W., the Words of Wisdom,
“Peace is Possible!”