Post B2nGGbhFPBa5DzUTbM by SuperLutheran@poa.st
 (DIR) More posts by SuperLutheran@poa.st
 (DIR) Post #B2mh9f5wsIvvLFzsvo by SuperLutheran@poa.st
       2026-01-29T17:46:56.065723Z
       
       5 likes, 2 repeats
       
       18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” -Matthew 1:18-21"Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit." This sentence is the only time in the New Testament where someone other than Jesus is called "son of David." Every other time the phrase is used, it is a title of deep honor given to our Savior. Why would the angel call Joseph something so grand? Why would he speak of the man's pedigree? If we listen to the theologians of today, perhaps we ought to think that the angel spoke sarcastically. After all, Joseph was the same sort of filthy ugly dirty rotten sinner as the rest of us, and God must have resented Joseph's presence entirely. The "conservatives" would have us believe that, since God's love is in spite of humanity being unlovable, the angel couldn't possibly respect the man. The theologians must also believe that St. Matthew calling Joseph a just man was nothing but a turn of phrase - for no one is righteous except God and we are all hopelessly sinful.But then our theologians and their slogans run into another dour problem. You do not tell an ugly, incapable sinner to do something unless you want to hit him with the second use of the Law. In their minds, the angel wished to drive him to repentance! Ah, so the angel was telling poor Joseph that he ought to feel terrible about himself and despair of his works. Clearly the angel spat on Joseph, called him a son of David sarcastically, and demanded that he repent of his sins and run to the soothing balm of the Gospel. Whether Joseph did what he was told or not doesn't matter, so long as he simply holds to childlike faith.Or we could disregard that thought terminating rubbish and read the text *normally.*Truth be told, St. Matthew calls Joseph a just man *because he was a just man.* He was righteous and obedient to God's Commandments, and he had a saving faith in the promises of our Lord. Joseph believed and was zealous for the Law, but he had a Gospel mercy about him as well. Here was a woman who appeared to have committed adultery while betrothed to him. Joseph could have followed Moses' command immediately and had her stoned to death. Instead he chose to forgive and move on.After this magnificent mercy on his part, the angel calls Joseph "son of David" because he respects him. Joseph was getting ready to show the same mercy to Mary that his ancestor David showed to Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9, 21:1-9). He is showing the same kindly wisdom that Solomon showed to the two women (1 Kings 3:16-28). When the angel clears things up, note that he did not have to bribe Joseph into taking care of Mary and her Child.He understood well enough that the Child was going to work forgiveness for countless people, being a forgiving man himself.With a good lineage and the kind of character to live up to it, Joseph is chosen for the task of raising and protecting the Christ as well as His mother. He is asked nicely as well. The angel does not say "marry that woman, sinner!" Instead he says "do not fear to take Mary as your wife." With obedience and mercy already demonstrated, a hard command is unnecessary! He is already a fantastic role model in the faith, one to whom both men and angels owe their respect. Let us follow his example.
       
 (DIR) Post #B2nGFbEjd5vzVbfpYG by travisfickle@poa.st
       2026-01-29T19:25:41.408421Z
       
       2 likes, 1 repeats
       
       @SuperLutheran I am thoroughly enjoying these daily Scripture readings and exegesis. I'm gleaning so much from them. Thank you, Super.
       
 (DIR) Post #B2nGGbhFPBa5DzUTbM by SuperLutheran@poa.st
       2026-01-30T00:20:22.762811Z
       
       1 likes, 1 repeats
       
       @travisfickle Happy to be of service my friend!