(2 Jan 13) Christ Born of Mary and Paul's Desire to Visit Rome
**Read Matthew 1:18-25 and Romans 1:8-15
Prayer: Father God, we ask for your Holy Spirit to guide us with this Bible study. Give us guidance so we can discern the true meaning of your Word. in Jesus' Name. Amen.
I. Christ Born of Mary
- Matthew 1:18-25 tells the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. Mary's immaculate conception of the Holy Spirit was a suprise for Joseph and he struggled to accept her. In early Israel, if you were found to be pregnant by someone other than your husband, you will be sentenced to death by stoning. Because of this, Joseph was scared and actually was thinking of divorcing Mary quietly and going far away. The law of Moses actually gave husbands the power of divorce (Deuteronomy 24:1) but it is only if they find their wife "unclean" thus by committing adultery. But after considering this, an angel appeared in his dream to give him a message. The word angel literally means "messenger" of God. Dreams were also a common way of getting the message of God to the ancient prophets (Genesis 20:3; Genesis 30:1, Genesis 30:11, Genesis 30:24; Genesis 37:5; Genesis 41:1; 1 Kings 3:5; Daniel 7:1; Job 4:13-15) . In 1:20, the angel called Joseph, "son of David" to remind him that he was a descendant of David and to prepare him for the birth of the messiah. The angel continued by telling Joseph that "what is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit". This is to encourage Joseph that Mary has not committed and wrongdoing but she is carrying the son of God (Isiah 7:14) who will deliver us from our sins.
II. Paul's Desire to Visit Rome
-Romans 1:8-15; God works in His own mysterious way. Paul had prayed to God to go to Rome. He wanted to share the Gospel to the non-Jews and his prayers were answered. What people might not know is how he got to Rome. He was persecuted, jailed, carried in a ship chained as a prisoner, shipwrecked, landed on an island then bit by a poisonous snake, and survived all with the protection of God to complete his mission and share the gospel. In 1:14, he mentioned that he is a debtor to both Greeks and Non-Greeks. This is just to say that he has an obligation to preach the gospel and minister to all to whom it was possible, to the wise or unwise (believers or non-believers), etc. This ended with Paul sharing that he is not ashamed of the gospel or the "good news" even after the Jews casting him out and and persecuting him because of his faith and Paul is ready to minister to to share the message of Salvation. Sometimes we as Christians are ashamed and we hide our Christianity. People make fun of us, ridicule us, and persecute us but it is said in the Holy Bible that if you are true Christians, you will be persecuted because of your faith (1 Peter 4:12-19). Jesus also mentioned this in John 15:18-20 18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also".
But do not worry, because we are God's people and He promised that “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Jeremiah 20:11)
III. Proverbs for Today/1:7-9
7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,
But fools despise wisdom and instruction.
8 My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not forsake the law of your mother;
9 For they will be a graceful ornament on your head,
And chains about your neck.
IV. Old Testament Readings:
Genesis 3-4 and Psalm 2:1-12
Prayer: Father God, we thank you for sending your only begotten Son to us for eventhough we were sinners, you sacrficed your Son for our sins. We pray that you give us encouragement for we our in a world where being a Christian is frowned upon. Give us strength that we can overcome all the persecution that is thrown against us. Bless us Lord and forgive our sins. In Jesus' Name. Amen
