Stress Test Devotional May 4
May 04, 2024
MATTHEW 1:18-21 | 18 Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be pregnant from the Holy Spirit. 19 Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to divorce her quietly. 20 But just when he had resolved to do 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 as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
LUKE 1:30-33 | 30 The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
We’ve seen that human development and social progress depends crucially and completely on couples who take up the task of parenting. No human project is doable without the generational nature of families. But with Mary and Joseph, the parenting task grows even bigger and more important.
They are given the job of parenting the Messiah. Their child will introduce a new kingdom that unites heaven and earth. This kingdom will extend beyond every geographic, cultural, and racial boundary.
After this, parenting is altered forever. The spiritual role of families is expanded and brought to the fore. Mary and Joseph are called to help Jesus live into His special role in God’s plan for the restoration of creation and the redemption of humankind. But like Adam and Eve, the Holy family are a model for subsequent families. Every family is now tasked with the job of helping children discover their individual place and role within the new kingdom.
We must parent on purpose, knowing God wants every child to be part of His great project of renewal and also part of His family.
Does this expand your view of marriage and family?
