There is
nothing unfamiliar or difficult about our Gospel reading today. Matthew’s
account of Jesus’ birth focuses on Joseph’s role, although it is very light on
the details regarding who Joseph was. But that is fitting – Joseph is not the
point; Jesus is.
We read of a
heartbroken fiancé, who had compassion for the woman he loves despite believing
she had cheated on him. (Love does not just turn off even when we get hurt.) But
he’s clear, even though he loves Mary, he’s not going to raise another man’s
child.
Then the
angel intervenes in a dream. “Joseph, son of David!” Named after a great hero
of the Scriptures who interpreted dreams, descended from the great king who was
a man after God’s own heart, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for
that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son,
and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their
sins.”
Joseph
believed and obeyed.
It’s hard to
imagine the courage and faith that took. For the rest of his life, you can be
sure that people snickered behind Joseph’s back – the upright man whose wife
got pregnant before they got married! Okay!
But we’re
told that all this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken – which we
read in our first reading today – “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a
son, and they shall call his name Immanuel.”
This is such
a familiar story, it’s easy to just zip past it. It doesn’t even have the fun
stuff with the angels and the shepherds! Besides, I’m always talking about
these names, “Jesus” and “Immanuel,” you know what they mean. But this is a
reading worth slowing down for. These names are worthy of pondering for a
moment. We shouldn’t take this for granted just because it is familiar.
Has anyone
here ever seen the sunrise? Set? More than once? Don’t you get tired of it? Does
it get less beautiful? The same is true here. And when the sun rises, it gives
its warmth … especially when we are still and soak it in.
Martin
Luther talked about the Christmas story being like the sun shining on a pond or
on a stream. When the sun shines on the pond, the still waters are warmed, and
they receive the sun’s heat. The stream hurries on it stays cold.
This is a
busy time of year, and this year has been extra busy with the number of deaths
we’ve experienced in the congregation! Let’s be still for a moment with
Matthew’s account of Jesus’ birth and his names. Let’s receive this familiar
story of Immanuel Jesus – God with us – The Lord who saves his people from sin.
Look at the
account and see how God chose Mary and Joseph for this holy task – to be mother
and father to God’s own Son! Why did He choose them? It was not because they
were somehow born without sin. What made them so special? They believed. They
received what God promised them. Joseph’s justice was rooted in his faith and
God’s forgiveness. The same is true for you. God’s word has come to you, and
you receive forgiveness by faith in this child that Joseph was so anxious
about.
Notice, too,
how it is God that puts the blessed name on Mary and Joseph’s lips. They are
both told to name the baby Jesus. The name means, “The Lord Saves,” and that
would not be lost on this couple, but Joseph got extra details: “You shall call
his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
He will save … because He is the Lord … and save he will save his people from …
their sins.”
This name
has been placed on you, too. In your baptism, God placed his name on your lips,
in your heart, and upon your soul, and he did that to give you salvation from
all your sins. That beautiful prophetic name proclaims that Jesus is your
savior from sin and that you are among his people.
And Matthew
wants us to know that this miraculous birth is part of something that God had
promised long ago. Isaiah prophesied to a faithless king, “Behold, the virgin
shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Who will
call him Immanuel? The virgin, right?) But Matthew, moved by the Holy Spirit,
writes, “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they
shall call his name Immanuel.”
Who are they?
Everyone he saves. We call him Immanuel. Us!
Soak this
in! Matthew 1, Luke 2, John 1 – all of these are saying the Savior from sin has
been born, and what a Savior he is! He is God with us.
This life
moves at such a frenetic pace sometimes. Alabama, “I’m in a hurry to get things
done. I rush and rush until life’s no fun. … I’m in a hurry, and I don’t know
why.” And right now, Christmas is coming, presents need to be purchased, rooms
prepared, and menus planned! And as we tell Jesus’ story, sometimes it feels
like it rushes along: Christ comes, miracles, teaching, cross, tomb, He’s
coming again! And that bleeds into the life of the church – mission, ministry,
evangelism, charity, get out there and share the gospel!
Stop. Say
this softly
-
Jesus
– my savior
-
Immanuel
– God with us.
Believe
that. My savior. God with us.
Believe and
be changed by it. Not because, well, that’s God there, so you'd better get your
act together. No! Believe and be changed because … well … that’s God there! He
came to save you! How could that not change you?
God has come
… not in wrath … not in judgement … not in terror, or majesty, or awe. He came
as a baby boy … a savior … God with us.
Receive the
good news. Rest in it. Soak it in and let it warm your heart.
The time
will come to hustle, to share, to work, to go into all the world. But first,
pause to be warmed, filled, loved, even fed on Jesus’ body and blood. Then God
sends you out … but he says, “Go in peace … forgiven, saved, and I will be with
you to the very end of the age.” Amen.
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