December 4, 2011
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A Sign that God is With us Advent II (Matthew 1:18-25) Mari Ikeda
1. God's plan is beyond our understanding (18-20)
18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 20 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.
2. The Lord who saves (Jesus) (21)
21 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."
3. God who is with us (22-23)
22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"--which means, "God with us."
(Isaiah 7:13-14) 13 Then Isaiah said, "Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
4. Joseph believes God
24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
Summary
God entered our world and human history as Jesus Christ, and through him, God's plan of salvation came to pass. God's plan to save demonstrates God's desire to be with us and reminds us that all we need to do is to respond to his invitation. This event is too wonderful for us to comprehend, but if we believe and follow, just as Joseph did, we can participate in God's magnificent plan for the world.
For Discussion
1) What does the name "Jesus" mean?
2) What is the connection between "Immanuel" and "Jesus"?