On Sunday, December 24 our senior pastor at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Charleston, SC, continued preaching in our Matthew sermon series with verses 18-25 of chapter 1 highlighting how Jesus' earthly father Joseph was unexpectedly interrupted when his betrothed Mary became pregnant. Our senior pastor encouraged us to embrace interruptions and view them in a different way because we believe in a Sovereign God. In our minds we plan our ways, but the Lord directs our steps. Interruptions don't necessarily mean we're in "the wrong place at the wrong time." Interruptions are God-designed opportunities for the gospel, and we need to be willing to set aside our plans for God's opportunity.
Joseph embraced the interruption of Mary's pregnancy and Jesus' birth, and Matthew the writer of this gospel book juxtaposes Joseph's faithful choice to trust God in his sovereignty with King Ahaz's faithless choice from the Isaiah passage he quotes in verse 23.
