Thursday, December 24, 2009
Matthew 1:25 ... he gave Him the name Jesus.
HELPLESS
"Helpless" is a word that applies well to Joseph, Jesus' stepfather.
When he found out Mary was pregnant, he thought, "What else can I do? Obviously this isn't my child. How could she have done this to me? I'll have to divorce her quietly." Thankfully the angel told Him that this Child was God's.
When he received the word that everyone had to report to their ancestral hometown for the Caesar's census, he thought, "What else can I do? I'll have to go to Bethlehem. Things are out of my hands, baby on the way or not!"
When Mary's labor started in earnest that feeling of helplessness probably hit hard, along with panic. "Where to go? Every place is full up in this stinking little town! What can I do? Kick some people out of their homes?" But finally a meager spot was offered, gladly accepted, and Mary settled down to the hard work of birthing her Child.
THEN what was Joseph to do? He could help make Mary comfortable. He could coach her along through her labor. But so many things could go wrong that Joseph had absolutely no control over! But all went right, and soon Joseph was staring at the Son which God had brought into the world all by Himself.
It was then that Joseph did the one thing he could do. It was the thing that God's angel had given him to do. Joseph remembered well what the angel had said to him, "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" (Matthew 1:21).
Tonight is Christmas Eve. And you are just as helpless as Joseph was. Rejoice in your helplessness. You are helpless to save yourself from death, hell and sin--because God has done it already. As you tremble with joy before the manger of the Christ Child, do what Joseph did. Name your Savior--Jesus.
