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Sacrifice to Save

Matthew 1:18-19

The birth of Jesus came about this way: After His mother Mary had become engaged to Joseph, it was discovered before they came together that she was pregnant by the Holy Spirit.  So her husband Joseph, being a righteous man, and not wanting to disgrace her publicly, decided to divorce her secretly.

Joseph and Mary were engaged to be married. Surely, they had many dreams for the future as they awaited their wedding and forthcoming marriage. Joseph must have been devastated to learn the news of her pregnancy. His dreams would have been shattered, and his trust in her destroyed. He must have been deeply hurt by the news. Was she in love with someone else? Was she not the innocent girl he had come to love? Would people think the baby was his and look disdainfully upon him? He certainly must have had many questions as he struggled with the emotions of his heart. Legally, he could have had her stoned to death, but he chose to divorce her quietly, instead. 

Joseph is described as a righteous man in these verses. There was something good in Joseph.  God knew what He was doing by choosing these particular parents. He knew Joseph would not harm Mary or the baby by taking revenge upon them to satisfy his own hurt. He was a self-sacrificing man – the kind of man God’s own son would need as an earthly mentor. God chose a heart that would save the life of His Son so that His Son could save us by giving His own life. 

Greater life comes when we give ours away. When we look beyond our selfish desires, our own hurt, our own rights, and our own needs, we find new life in the thing God has placed in front of us. Don’t miss your blessing of new life by holding on to something that was never meant to be. Surrender your emotions to God, and watch to see what He will show you and where He will take you. Things just might not be the way they seem after all. 

Have a blessed day!

PHOEBE Connections, Inc. is a 501(c)3 dedicated to enhancing the lives of widows by building relationships and helping them find new identity in Jesus Christ through serving others. We promote an atmosphere of fellowship, where the widow can connect with other widows to develop friendships and supportive relationships.