SERM: Advent 4 - Gospel

Sat, 18 Dec 2010 19:05:04 -0800 

+In Nomine Iesu+


Rorate Coeli–Advent 4
St Matthew 1:18-25
19 December 2010


   If you remember the old TV cops-and-robbers show,
“Dragnet,” you will recall Sgt. Friday and his signature
line – “Just the facts, ma’am.”   Not much flair.
Little emotion.  Direct, and to the point.
<>
   It was to be expected that false stories concerning the
birth of Jesus would arise.  Lies always chase after the
truth – seeking to force truth to the side.  Herein lies
the purpose of St Matthew.  He has no interest in
embellishment.  For him, it’s “just the facts.”  For
him it’s a matter of Jesus, Joseph, and Mary.  Once these
three are firmly in place, St Luke is free to provide the
‘Hallmark-greeting-card’ version of Jesus’ birth –
the version with which we are all familiar.
<>
   Between Matthew’s description and that of Luke, we can
easily see why the latter’s story became more popular.
Angelic choirs, shepherds, animals, the embarrassing problem
of accommodations, the manger.  St Luke’s is a touching
picture of the Holy Family.  From swaddling clothes to the
praising of God, it’s a made-for-movie story.  Many parts.
 Many scenes.  A feel-good event all round.
<>
   Not so with Matthew.  He sets before us only three
individuals.  One is troubled – Joseph.  One is of
questionable virginity – Mary.  And then there’s a baby
of somewhat doubtful parentage.  Not quite the
cocoa-and-cookies image we’re expecting this time of year.
<>
   But don’t get the impression that one version of
Jesus’ nativity is true and the other not.  Both are true.
 Both are real.  Both are inspired by the Holy Spirit.  It
is simply that Matthew and Luke are dealing with different
issues.  Really, we need both of their accounts to get a
complete picture.
<>
   Like the creeds, Matthew gives us the bare facts of
Jesus’ conception and birth.  Conceived by the Holy
Spirit.  Born of the Virgin Mary.  And yet, within these two
pithy theological statements lies the summary of all of
Scripture.  Matthew’s story literally begins and ends with
Jesus.  We can easily become so accustomed to what we read
– almost immune to the words – that we fail to properly
note the most important thing – Jesus is the alpha and the
omega, the beginning and the end, and always central.
<>
   If we don’t get Jesus right we will have nothing right
– not the Father, nor the Holy Spirit.  Everything will be
off.  “Without Me you can do nothing.”  So says Jesus.
And, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  No one can
come to the Father except through Me.”  Thus Satan knows
that if he can create doubt or uncertainty about Jesus’
origin, he has won the battle.  Maybe Jesus is the product
of Mary and some unknown Roman soldier.  “How is it
she’s pregnant,” Joseph must have thought.  “It
wasn’t me.  I’m an honorable man.  But those Romans,
those Gentiles.”
<>
   The world will stop at nothing to discredit Christianity.
 There is no end to false books and the fascinations they
elicit.  If Jesus is simply the child of human parents then
He is no more God than you or me.  And if He is not God then
we are still in our sins.  We have no Savior.  God is not
gracious after all.  The promises of heaven, salvation,
mercy, holiness, purity – all are out the window.
<>
   St Matthew goes right after the fabrications of his time
regarding Jesus’ birth.  He speaks the necessary –
albeit uncomfortable – truth concerning Jesus’ origin.
Indeed, if we had only St Luke’s account we might wonder.
It’s too perfect – too sweet.  “I’ve just proposed
to this lovely young virgin girl.  Everyone in the family
has met her – and approved.  Everything is set.  Soon we
will be wed.”  Then Mary quietly speaks up.  “Dear, I
have something to tell you.”  Joseph isn’t too
concerned.  Maybe he got the wrong sized ring.  Or there is
some question from the caterers.  Then, the bomb-shell.
“Dear, I’m pregnant!”
<>
   Now, how might a husband-to-be react to such news?
“Oh, that’s okay.  We’ll just get our donkey and head
off to Bethlehem.  We’ll find some quiet place among the
animals, set up a manger, and go ahead with our plans.”
Not on your life!  “But as he considered these things . .
”  There has to be the understatement of all history.
“Considered?”  It’s almost like Joseph is disengaged
from reality.  “Considered?”  This man must have has a
constitution of steel.  First he receives earth-shattering
news from his beloved.  News that would take the wind out of
any number of human sails.  Next comes an angel of the Lord
with heaven-shattering news.  “Joseph, son of David, do
not fear to take Mary, your wife, for that which is
conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.”  First he
learns that his beloved virgin is with child.  And then he
hears that this child is from God.  Try wrapping your brain
around all that.
<>
   Have you noticed that in all of this Joseph never utters
a word?  We hear his thoughts.  We see his deeds.  But not a
word.  No speeches.  No tantrums.  Nothing.  What’s up?
Simply this – in Joseph we find a true man of God.  Quiet,
unassuming, faithful.  A believer who acts with mercy.
<>
   How does this come about?  Does it simply happen?  Is it
just that Joseph is so much more holy than other men?  No.
The message to Joseph mirrors the one to Mary.  Both are
delivered by angels.  But both emanate from God.  Both
messages are God’s Word.  That’s the key.  Without that
Divine Word neither of these individuals – regardless of
their human uprightness – neither would have understood
what was happening, or how to respond.
<>
   We are no different.  Without heavenly revelation we are
ignorant.  Without God’s Word we sit in darkness.  Without
God’s direction we can only pretend to know what’s going
on – what’s going on with anything.  Stumbling, falling,
thrown from pillar to post – that’s the way of life
apart from God and His revelation of himself in His Word.
<>
   Before God’s Word came to him, Joseph was considering,
he was wondering – he was at sixes-and-sevens (in utter
confusion).  But once the heavenly Word came everything was
different.  He took Mary as his wife.  He knew she would
have a Son.  And he knew the name by which he should name
Him – Jesus.  “Jesus” – because He would save His
people from their sins.
<>
   Darkness to light.  Ignorance to understanding.
Confusion to peace.  That’s how God operates through His
Word.  In this Joseph becomes our model.
<>
   But don’t think this meant Joseph’s life would be
easy.  From the initial thoughts of shame and divorce to a
tiring trip to Bethlehem.  And not tiring just because Mary
was soon to give birth.  This was a trip no doubt made more
tiring by the sideways glances and ignorant comments of
fellow travelers.  Then come the amazing events of Jesus’
birth and the hasty flight to Egypt to escape Herod’s
murderous plans.  Family life for Joseph was anything but
quiet and normal.
<>
   Yet, so it was to be.  So it had to be.  It had to be
because this Jesus was come to be the Messiah.  This Messiah
had to come.  And not just for those people.  He had to come
for you.  In this twisted world of ours there are problems
aplenty.  In our families we find arguments, jealousies,
strained – even broken – relationships.  In a word, we
are beset by sins galore.  Only He whose very name means
“saves us from our sins” can help.  Only Jesus.
<>
   In our fog and frenzied clutter what we need most is the
simple and clear facts of St Matthew’s Christmas story.
“Jesus, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity,
and also true Man born of the Virgin Mary is MY LORD.”
This One died in my place.  This One saved me from my sins.
This One – and no other – has made me His own dear
child.  I belong to Jesus – and He to me.  Thanks be to
God!

Amen

+Soli Deo Gloria+

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