
Guest Blog by my husband, Darryl Bayer. Darryl is a seer and has a tremendous gift of word of knowledge. This word is GOOD! Enjoy and Merry Christmas!
Joseph Did you Know? – a Christmas message for my friends this year.
The song, “Mary Did You Know?” chronicles the miracles-to-be of Jesus: walking on water, healing the sick, blind men seeing and calming storms. The lyricist also asks Mary, did you know that your son would rule nations, deliver us and become the perfect lamb of God?
We have heard this song over and over. To quote a friend of mine who made it quite simple: “An angel gave her the heads up!” or as I like to say, “Mary, you DID know!” I suggest you read the full version in Luke 1:26-38 today. I thought that on this Christmas Eve 2020, I would share and give some insight into what another angel spoke to Joseph because, guess what? Joseph also knew!
In Matthew 1:20 an unnamed angel came to Joseph, told him to take Mary as his wife, and that her pregnancy was through the Holy Spirit. In the next verse, Matthew 1:21, this angel told Joseph that the baby will be called Jesus and what His Name meant.
The verse that follows is so beautiful that paraphrasing cannot do it justice:
“She will bear a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus [the Greek form of the Hebrew Joshua, which means Savior], for He will save His people from their sins [that is, prevent them from failing and missing the true end and scope of life, which is God].” (Matthew 1:21)
In Matthew 1:22, the angel continued, telling Joseph this is all being fulfilled because God spoke it through the prophets of old. We can assume that Joseph was well versed in scripture, since he was a descendent of King David. Jews in that time, knowing that the prophets had been silent over three hundred years, were looking and waiting for their savior, especially since they were under the oppression of Roman rule. There are at least fifty, maybe more, references in the Old Testament of His coming. What if Joseph knew just two of those prophecies? Wouldn’t it seem fitting that these two would move on his heart?
Samuel, speaking to David, prophesied, “When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.” (2 Samuel 7:12-1).
We all know that Joseph was of the House of David – and so did he!
“Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: Behold, the young woman who is unmarried and a virgin shall conceive and bear a son and shall call his name Immanuel [God with us].” (Isaiah 7:14)
This was Mary! That’s right! In Matthew 1:23 the angel spoke Isaiah 7:14 verbatim. No wonder Joseph was obedient and did exactly as the angel instructed! Keep in mind that this angel spoke with Joseph after the angel Gabriel came to Mary, when Joseph was conflicted as to what to do.
Imagine the joy in his heart upon returning to Mary and their conversation comparing their two visits from angels! “Mary my love, an angel came to me and said to name our son Jesus and he would be the Savior.” Mary replying, “Yes, my sweet, I too was told to call His name Jesus.”
So believe! On Christmas Eve 2020 believe BEFORE you see the miracles. Families going though times of adversity, put your faith first … then your troubles will be destroyed. Those that are physically sick or afflicted with emotional suffering, through your hope in the Lord, your healing is now! Let the word of God and the testimonies of others build you up. Be strong and do it now. Just Believe!