Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the City of Nazareth, to Judea to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem… in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. While they there, the days were completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped him in cloths, and laid Him in a manager, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Luke 2:4-7.
Now in these days, John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Matthew 3:1-2.
I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.
John 14:37
And there was a man called by the name of Zaccheus , he was a chief tax collector and he was rich. Zaccheus was trying to see who Jesus was, and was unable because of the crowd, for he was small of stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree in order to see Him, for He was about to pass through that way. When Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, “Zaccheus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” And he hurried and came down and received Him gladly.
When they saw it, they all began to grumble, saying “He has gone to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.”
Zaccheus stopped and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, half my possessions I will give to the poor and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will give back four times as much.” And, Jesus said to him, “Today, salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
Luke 19:1-10
God calls, we answer. That is the salvation story.
But He said, “The things that are impossible with people are possible with God.”
Luke 18:27
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. But when he had considered this, behold an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus for He will save His people from their sins."
Matthew 1:18-21.
What is so remarkably human about Jesus’ birth is that his earthly foster father, Joseph, was a good but practical man. He did not want to embarrass Mary, but he also did not want to embarrass himself. He made a sensible plan, but it was not God’s plan. Joseph upon hearing God’s plan, yielded his will to God’s will.
So, it was that Jesus was not put away quietly, but came to earth with great fan fair and a future which turned the world upside down.
