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He Scorned Shame: Today’s Quiet Time- Dec 24, 2022 (SAT)

When we are misunderstood, ridiculed, and even slandered for our faith in Christ, let us remember that God’s grace is greater than any reproach we endure for Jesus’ sake.

He Scorned Shame
Matthew 1:18-25

📙 Scripture (NIV)

¹⁸ This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.
¹⁹ Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
²⁰ But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
²¹ She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
²² All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:
²³ “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
²⁴ When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.
²⁵ But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

📝 Reflection

Grace and Disgrace (1:18–21)
Matthew’s Gospel begins with a scandal. We can only imagine the hostility Mary endured as her pregnancy became apparent to others—even Joseph initially planned to divorce her. But God’s grace triumphs. Through an angelic appearance, Joseph is assured that Mary has not betrayed him. Her conception is nothing less than the creative power of God through the Holy Spirit. Joseph is to name the child Jesus, meaning “The Lord saves.” God’s grace, which will overcome the cross and the grave, begins to reveal itself as the promised Messiah comes into the world through a virgin’s womb. When we are misunderstood, ridiculed, and even slandered for our faith in Christ, let us remember that God’s grace is greater than any reproach we endure for Jesus’ sake.

What forms of hostility have you endured because of your faith and commitment to Jesus? How has God’s grace sustained you through these difficult times?

The Prophets and the Promises (1:22–25)
“Through the prophet” is a phrase found over and over in the Bible. All throughout God’s Word, we see that His warnings and promises spoken by the prophets come to pass. Here, Matthew points us to the words of the Old Testament prophet, Isaiah, who spoke of a virgin giving birth to God’s promised Messiah. These words were fulfilled in the Christmas story, so we can be assured that God’s Word will continue to be fulfilled just as the Bible promises. Our faith in God’s promises, in turn, gives us an enduring and unshakable hope that strengthens us to face the future even in the darkest and most difficult seasons of our lives.

What are some promises from God’s Word that have sustained you through difficult times? What can you do to become more familiar with God’s promises?

🙏 Prayer

Father, I acknowledge You as the God of the impossible. I know that You are able to create something out of nothing, so You are surely able to use my life and my gifts to bring glory to Your Son, Jesus. Nothing is impossible for You! In Jesus’ name, amen.