From Manger To Majesty
The Silent Hero

Joseph's Dream and Our Hope

Sunday December 10, 2023 - Pastor Wungreiso Valui

Matthew 1:18-25

The Message:

The hidden life of Joseph serves as a powerful reminder of the hiddenness of Jesus- the gradual unveiling of His divine nature and emphasizing the essential role of faith among His disciples.

Let us explore the angel's appearance in Joseph's dream, the earthly father God chose to protect and nurture the infant Jesus. Joseph's dreams were a beacon of hope in times of uncertainty, leading him to embrace a calling beyond his comprehension. Joseph's journey inspires us to trust God's guidance even when the path is unclear.

Matthew 1:18: Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.

1. What do we do when the unexpected occurs in our lives? Consider the example of Mary and Joseph, who faced an unexpected pregnancy before they were married.
2. Embrace Faith: Mary and Joseph's story reminds us of the power of faith. They both trusted in the divine plan despite the unexpected turn of events. In times of uncertainty, trust in God's divine plan.

Verse 19: Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.

1. Joseph's story illustrates the concept of secrecy as refraining from making our good deeds known for recognition.
2. Secrecy is a spiritual discipline. "You desire truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart", Psalms 51:6
3. Embrace Discretion & Compassion: Greater good rather than personal recognition
4. When faced with challenging and difficult circumstances, like Joseph, we can choose to act with compassion and discretion, avoiding any desire to harm or shame the individuals involved.
5. Joseph's example serves as a reminder to approach difficult decisions and actions with a heart that seeks the greater good rather than personal recognition.

Verses 20-21: But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins."

1. The concept of hiddenness serves as a crucial reminder of the gradual revelation of Jesus' divine nature and reveals the pivotal role of faith among His disciples.
2. Jesus' divinity was hidden.
3. The Incarnation (John 1:14): His divine nature was hidden within a human body, and many people did not recognize Him as the Son of God.
4. The Hidden Childhood (Luke 2:40-52): Jesus' divine identity and purpose were not fully revealed during this time.
5. The Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-13): This revealed His divine glory, but it was a temporary and selective revelation, as the disciples were instructed not to tell anyone until after His resurrection.
6. The Hidden Messiah (Matthew 16:13-20):t Jesus told them not to tell anyone, as it wasn't yet time for His full identity to be revealed. To save us from sin, we must believe in Jesus. "And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." The hiddenness of Jesus reveals the significance of faith in comprehending His genuine identity.

Verses 22-23: So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us."

Lessons from the Hiddenness of Jesus in the Story of Joseph

1. The hiddenness of Jesus in the story of the unsung hero, Joseph, reveals that God's revelation and answers can be gradual, requiring our faith to follow Jesus.
2. Immanuel, which means "God with us," signifies that God added the nature of one of His own creatures to His divine nature, embracing the weaknesses, frailties, and dependencies experienced by that creature.
3. We can approach God, and God can come to us. Jesus embodies Immanuel, signifying that He is God with us.
4. Embrace the mystery of God's secrecy and anonymity, as it offers a profound perspective-it's often the entirely unknown individuals who pray and work in silence that can save us from destruction.

Humble, hidden acts of faith and dedication hold great significance in God's eyes and can bring about profound blessings

Verse 24-25: Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.

1. Joseph awoke from his sleep and faithfully carried out the Angel's instructions.
2. Hiddenness is an essential aspect of the spiritual life- all without seeking to stand out from others.
3. It is in hiddenness that we can cultivate a deep intimacy with God and a genuine love for humanity.

Even during his active ministry, Jesus would retreat to secluded places to be alone with God. Without a hidden life with God, our public life for God cannot yield meaningful fruit.

"...your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory." (Colossians 3:3-4).

The True Self exhibits authentic actions and intentions. Ultimately, it boils down to the realization that the soul and the True Self understand that "my life is not about me, but I am about life." www.cac.org

Your Challenge

• 1. Embrace faith: In times of uncertainty, have faith and trust in God's divine plan.
• 2. Embrace Compassion And Discretion: Seek the greater good rather than personal recognition.
• 3. Exercise your faith: The hiddenness of Jesus reveals the importance of exercising your faith in comprehending His genuine identity.
• 4. Embrace the mystery of God's secrecy and anonymity: Humble, hidden acts of faith and dedication hold great significance in God's eyes and can bring about profound blessings.
• 5. Embrace Intimacy With God: Without a hidden life with God, our public life for God cannot yield meaningful fruit.