Lesson 5 – An Angel Visits Joseph
Just as the angel proclaimed to Joseph that Mary would bear an infant who is the Son of God, the Savior, so God proclaims to us in His Word that this same Jesus is our Savior from sin and death.
Opening
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
This lesson will use the Bible. Also paper and pencil will be needed.
Watch the video, "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel-Traditional Choir"
Use the Student Page at the end of this lesson for the Bible verses.
The hymn, "Emmanuel" (Immanuel) in stanza 1 and the refrain comes from Isaiah 7:14 and is quoted as fulfilled in Matthew 1:23. Immanuel (Emmanuel) is Hebrew for "God with us" Jesus is God with us.
"Jesse" mentioned in stanza 4 was David's father. Isaiah 11:1 shows a promise to bring the Messiah from Jesse and David's family. Matthew 1:1 shows the fulfillment of that promise in Jesus genealogy.
"Key of David" in stanza 5 also refers to David's family, as prophesied in Isaiah 22:22 and fulfilled in Revelation 3:7, which identifies the key holder as Jesus.
Prayer: Almighty and everlasting God, show us that Your beloved Son came to earth to become our Savior. In His holy name we pray. Amen.
God Speaks
We can only imagine what Mary's betrothed husband, Joseph, thought and felt when he first found out Mary was pregnant but it wasn't his baby.
Although parents often arranged marriages, spouses may have been in love or grown to love each other over time. Mary had not yet moved to Joseph's house to formalize the marriage, but betrothal already made them husband and wife.
Follow the directions under Joseph’s dilemma on the Student Page.
Read Matthew 1:18-25 and answer the questions.
What words describe Joseph? "A just man”.
Joseph thought Mary had committed adultery because she was pregnant and they hadn't been together. As a just man, Joseph loved the Lord and lived by the Law of Moses. The law gave two options for adultery: death or divorce (Deuteronomy 22:23-24; 24:1-4). What did Joseph decide to do? To show mercy and divorce Mary quietly.
What does Joseph's decision show about him? Joseph's decision to divorce Mary “quietly" shows he loved Mary, forgave as God forgave him, and valued the baby's life. As a faithful Jewish man, Joseph waited for the coming of the Messiah. He probably never expected his messianic hopes and betrothal to Mary to merge.
What did the angel of the Lord tell Joseph in a dream? Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. The baby was conceived by the Holy Spirit. It's a boy. Name Him Jesus because He will save His people from their sins.
What information did this angel repeat from the message the angel Gabriel gave to Mary? Read Luke 1:31, 35 (on Student Page). The baby was conceived by the Holy Spirit. It's a boy. Name Him Jesus.
What do you think happened when Mary and Joseph discovered that angels had given them the same message at separate times? It probably confirmed to them that God was at work and the messages were true.
Why did the angel say to name Him Jesus? He would save His people from their sins. Jesus means "Savior". It's the same name as the Old Testament Joshua.
Verse 23 quotes Isaiah 7:14. How did this situation fulfill this prophecy? Mary the virgin conceived a son, God's Son. He was Immanuel, God with us.
How does Immanuel ("God with us") perfectly describe Jesus? Jesus, God's Son, literally took on flesh, becoming God with us.
What four actions did Joseph take? (1) Joseph did as the angel commanded. (2) He took Mary as his wife. (3) He refrained from sexual intercourse with Mary until after she had given birth. (4) He called the baby Jesus.
Why is it important that Joseph was called "son of David"? This reminded Joseph that he was a son of David and of his promise to bring the Messiah from King David's family.
Matthew 1:1-17 shows Jesus' family connection to David through Joseph's ancestors because Joseph was Jesus’ legal father, although not his biological one.
The genealogy in Luke 3:23-38 differs dramatically. Some scholars say it traces Mary's family, since she also came from David's lineage.
We Live
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Answer the questions under God’s Word for you on the Student Page.
Angels served as God's messenger to Mary and Joseph. Today, we don't talk about angels appearing to people with messages from God.
How does God communicate with us today? God speaks to us through His Word, written in the Bible, spoken by pastors in preaching and teaching, taught by Christian teachers, and heard from fellow Christians who encourage us by quoting it; and through His Sacraments, Baptism and Holy Communion.
What does God's Word do? Read Hebrews 4:12 and 2 Timothy 3:16-17 on Student Page. The sharp Word of God is alive and active. It divides truth from lies and exposes our thoughts and intentions. It shows us our sin and need for a Savior. It shows us the love of God in Christ Jesus. God inspired (breathed out) the Scriptures. They are beneficial for teaching, correcting wrongs, directing us to trust God and His righteousness, maturing us, and equipping us for good works.
How do we know if our pastor really speaks for God? How do we know which other sources to trust? Read 1 John 4:1-3 on Student Page. We know a person speaks for God when his words and instruction are consistent with the Bible and teach the truth about God's Son, Jesus, our Savior.
We should always weigh messages, suggestions, and advice against God's Word and not go against our consciences. God wrote His Law on all hearts (Romans 2:15) so that even non-Christians realize guilty, shameful actions.
We know someone teaches truthfully if that person teaches what the Bible says about Jesus, God's Son in the flesh. This knowledge comes from the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:3).
Closing
Prayer: Dear Lord, although we may not always understand Your ways, help us remember that You are working for our good. You promised to do this l and we trust that You do. Help us to cast our fears and anxieties on You because You care for us. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
