What Jesus Did! 'Miraculous Scandal' — Matthew 1:18-19

Sunday, January 5, 2025

This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.
— Matthew 1:18-19 NLT

Key Thought

Imagine that the plan of God depends on the faith of an engaged carpenter and young virgin who finds herself pregnant. There is a quiet and faithful dignity that undergirds this whole miraculous scandal. In the face of the inexplicable and the scandalous, Joseph and Mary show themselves faithful and kind. Their behavior is a great reminder to us of how we should conduct ourselves when things concerning our friends and faith seem untidy, unclear, or unfair.

Today's Prayer

Faithful and righteous Father, thank you for the example of Joseph's kindness even though he was hurt and bewildered. Thank you for Mary's faithfulness, even though her challenge was enormous and largely incomprehensible. Most of all, thank you for your faithfulness to your promises. In Jesus' mighty and holy name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

21 Related Resources by Heartlight

Conception
Devo: God's Holy Fire
"This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin,..."
Christmas Clause
Article by Joe Bagby
Would people really want to take Christ our the nativity? A preacher gets in trouble talking about Christmas on Sunday, but warns that the world will take Christ out of Christmas.
Joseph, My Hero
Article by Phil Ware
Joseph was a strong man of faith with qualities much like God: a man of righteous character, gracious compassion, and faithful loving-kindness Phil Ware uses this Father's Day to remind us of the man God chose to be daddy to Jesus -- Joseph the Carpenter -- and his greatness despite being overlooked by many who love Jesus!
Beginnings in Endings: Mary Did You Know?
Article by Phil Ware
Mary's simple life was about to come to a dramatic end! Phil Ware finishes the year 2012 with two powerful posts or articles about Jesus' birth and the people gathered around him, and emphasizes that God's greatest beginnings are found in hard endings.
See All 21 Related Resources about Matthew 1:18-19

Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 1:18-19 NLT — Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Sunday, January 5, 2025

Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Filled with Knowledge' (Co. 1:9-10)
"Dear Father, Help me and all of your people everywhere to be filled with complete knowledge of what you want, in all wisdom and spiritual..."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'God's Greatest Message'
"Dear Friend, Ouch! You sent a text to someone, and he or she didn't understand your humor. You left a voicemail that was supposed to be cute, but..."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Do You Believe?' (Acts 26:25-28)
"But Paul replied [to Festus' charge that he had lost his mind because he believed in the resurrection of Jesus], "I am not insane, Most Excellent..."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Marked with His Seal' (Ep. 1:13)
"And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal,....."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!