20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, descendant of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a Son, and you shall name Him Jesus (The Lord is salvation), for He will save His people from their sins.”

Matthew 1:20-21(AMP)

Interrupted plans

Yesterday Joseph was planning to quietly divorce Mary since she was pregnant (Matthew 1:18-19) – before they had consummated the marriage (to make it official). On top of that, the pregnancy was not by him! He was determined to do this thing, this merciful action. But God had other plans. So He sent an angel to instruct him to stop his plan and accept God – continue to take Mary as his wife.

Big ask

This was a big request by the Angel, by the Lord. This would cause not a little questioning and embarrassment for Mary and him, and their families. It would be seen as a sin, an unrighteous deed done in Israel. “How can I be asked such a request?”Joseph may have wondered. But he did not let his question and legitimate concern stop him from being obedient.

Jesus, Savior from sins

The main point of these verses, however, is to communicate to Joseph (and to us) that the child’s name is Jesus, the Lord of salvation. He will save His people (Israel and all gentiles) from their sins through this child, Jesus. 

This is the biggest need at that time, and all time. The Jews of that day, however, would have told you that their biggest need was salvation from …Roman control. They, like mankind today, miss the point of Jesus’ purpose for coming. This message is for all people, for all time.

RЯeflection

• What do we do when God interrupts our plans? How do we know it’s God? Many good questions. At least we need to commit to knowing Him through prayer and reading His Word regularly. We should delight in Him (Psalm 37:4) and in His Word (Psalm 1:2).
• God is looking for us to trust Him and to obey. His requirements for us are plain in His Word. The principle ones, as per Jesus, are: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Matthew 22:37-39)