Title: The Great Mystery of the Messiah's Birth
Contents
Title: The Great Mystery of the Messiah's Birth
Text: (Matthew 1:18-25)
Hymns: 112. In that clear and bright night
Date: December 23, 2011 (Fri) 5 am
Venue: Jeonju Yebut Church Small Worship Room
The birth of the Messiah is God's entire plan and history, but in the midst of it was the faith and beautiful obedience of faithful people. God's great will is accomplished through the great obedience and faith of ordinary people. Let's take a look at the people who participated in the birth of the Lord who came to this earth as the Messiah.
1. One who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
Jesus Christ is born through Mary, conceived by the Holy Spirit. Mary was betrothed to Joseph. At that time, betrothal (engagement) was legally binding. This was a union far more meaningful than today's engagement, a de facto marriage that could never be broken except for adultery. During this period, men and women do not lie in bed and prepare everything necessary before marriage. At this time, however, Mary became pregnant. It's amazing for Maria. It was too much of an event for a woman who didn't know a man to accept. Jesus, who became the Creator and Judge of the whole world, came in human form through the body of a weak woman.
2. Joseph the Righteous
The Bible introduces Mary's husband Joseph this way: “Because Joseph was a righteous man” To be ‘righteous’ means that he is an upright-minded and principled man. With an upright personality, he was highly likely to handle Mary's conception according to the law and principle. However, Joseph did not reveal Mary's pregnancy to anyone and wanted to end the relationship quietly. He was both a righteous man and a good man. Respect the principles, but also loved Maria. He was someone who not only thought about the principles of the law, but was able to put into practice the spirit of the law, love. Above all, he was a man of faith and obedience who could control even his own desires and emotions in order to accomplish God's will. God requires us to have the same righteousness as Joseph.
3. Immanuel
Another name for the Messiah who came to this earth in human form is ‘Immanuel’. Immanuel means ‘God is with us’, and it teaches us how much God loves us. To love means to want to be together. We want to spend time with our loved ones, share our dreams, and share our lives. The purpose of Jesus coming to this earth is to atone for the sins of all mankind. In the end, the purpose of Jesus' coming to this earth came from his desire to be with humans forever. God loves us that much. God is always with us, protecting and guiding us. I hope that this Christmas will be a time of praising and giving thanks to the Lord who is Emmanuel.
The more I think about the faith and obedience of Joseph and Mary, the more precious they are. Through faith we can meet the Lord. Through obedience, we experience the Lord's work. I hope that the end of the year will bring you deeper encounters and experiences with the Lord who promised to be with you until the end of the world.
<Prayer>
1. May it be a Christmas in which we sincerely praise and give thanks to the Lord Emmanuel!
2. Let the rivers of living water overflow from the Yebut pulpit and fill the whole world!
3. Heal the weak members of the church and save the unbelieving families so that they can achieve the fame of faith!