Matthew 1

Matthew 1:24 "When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife..."

Sometimes during the Christmas season we spend so much time focusing on Mary and how she was chosen to bear the Christ-child that we forget about the "man" in the picture. Yet as God prepared to send His Son, there is no doubt that Mary and Joseph were chosen as a couple to lead, guide and protect Jesus as He grew.

Just read the verse at the beginning again. Joseph awakes and does exactly what God commanded him to do. God knew Joseph's response would be submission to the Divine plan! That's why He chose both of them and empowered both of them for this task. Mary and Joseph had to be ready and submissive to what God would do through them. This would be a new journey, unlike any taken before... yet in them God found willing vessels of service to whatever He called them.

How about you today? If Christ's delay meant that God was still searching the world for a couple through which to send His Son, how long and hard would He consider you? How have you made yourself a willing and able vessel for service to God?

Because here is the reality: If you are a believer, God has come and has already chosen you! He has made you an ambassador for His cause (2 Cor. 5:18-20) having prepared good works that you might walk in them (Eph. 2:10). Are you today allowing God to make you into a vessel fit for His service? How is He asking you to serve Him today?

The glorious truth of Matthew 1 is that Jesus has come, "Immanuel"- "God with Us." In this new year, 2009, how are you preparing yourself to be used by Him? Are you willing to respond as Joseph did?

"[Joseph] did as the angel of the Lord commanded him..." What about you?