At the Crossroads (Mary & Joseph)
Series: The Unexpected Ways of God
December 15, 2024
Frank Foreman
Both Mary and Joseph are confronted with life-altering decisions that forced them to relinquish control and step into the unknown, and yet they demonstrate unwavering faith in God's plan for their lives. This can deeply resonate with us, as we often find ourselves at crossroads where the right decision may not always align with our personal desires or comfort. ————— For Mary, the angel's message is a reminder that God's call often comes with both awe and fear. It requires us to step into the unknown, just as Mary did, even when the path ahead seems unclear and full of challenges. Mary’s response, “Let it be to me according to your word,” exemplifies the kind of surrender and trust we are called to embody. ---------- Joseph's decision to take Mary as his wife, despite the potential social and personal consequences, also teaches us about obedience and trust in God’s timing. When life presents difficult or confusing situations, we might be tempted to retreat into what feels safe or logical, just as Joseph initially considered divorcing Mary quietly. However, his willingness to act on God’s revelation, without hesitation, shows us the importance of responding to God’s guidance, even when it challenges our assumptions or comfort.
Episode Notes
Series: Fool-proofing Your Life Luke 1 & Matthew 1
Title: At the Crossroads December 15, 2024
Big Idea: God’s purposes are higher than our comfort…
We all stand at a crossroads and have a choice to make.
1. Mary at the crossroads.
Luke 1:26-29, In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be.
Luke 1:30-37, And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.”
Luke 1:38, And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
2. Joseph at the crossroads.
Matthew 1:18-19, 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. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.
Matthew 1:20-23, 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. She will bear a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).
Matthew 1:24-25, When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a Son. And he called His name Jesus.
Next Step: What crossroads am I facing right now? (Tell someone)
1st Corinthians 1:27-29, But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.
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