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Matthew 1: 1 – 25 Focus Matt 1:19-25 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. 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." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"—which means, "God with us." When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus. Sub note: An interesting connection to December 8th on the name of Joseph and to December 19th on the name of Jesus. Matthew starts by proving the line of Joseph who is legally the human father of Joseph and therefore according to Jewish law in the family line of Joseph. The line of great kings over the ages now was in Nazareth a lowly carpenter. It is important to realise for the Jewish people the descent was through the legal father. This ensures that Jesus fulfils the promise of blessing made to Abraham and the promise of the Messiah made to David. This person implies a priest, a prophet and a King like no other who was anointed by God. For mankind, who by nature are separate from God, Christ fulfils the role of Priest – interceding for us in the Holy of Holies with God, a prophet – bring God’s word to us and enlighten our mind and a King to reign in our hearts and lives.
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