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

  • 2 Corinthians 4:5-7
  • Proverbs 3:3-4
  • 2 Timothy 2:20-22

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.
'Freedom Is No Excuse for Sin' (Ga. 5:13-15)
"Dear Father, guardian of the free, May we never use freedom as a pretext for evil or as an excuse for indulging sinful desires. Rather, grant that..."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'God Took Pleasure in Adopting Us' (Ep. 1:5)
"God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him....."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'James Murdered' (Acts 12:1-2)
"About that time King Herod Agrippa began to persecute some believers in the church. He had the apostle James (John's brother) killed with a sword."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'God's Word Comes by the Spirit' (Zc. 7:12)
"[After the return of the people of Judah from Babylon, this is what the Lord said about them,] "They made their hearts as hard as stone, so they could not hear...."

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!