This sermon could have more aptly been titled “The Scenic Route.” That was a theme that became evident the more I studied this passage in Matthew 1:18-25. The Old Testament text I studied in conjunction with it was 1 Samuel 16:1-13.
“Joseph, Son of David…” was what the angel called him in a dream. You see, to Joseph, this situation he was in was what it looked like. His betrothed was pregnant and it wasn’t his. It’s not what he wanted or had planned. He would stop the betrothal short of marriage in a way that would be the least embarrassing for both his and Mary’s families. So often we make Joseph’s mistake. We find ourselves in the middle of a situation that we do not like and we say, “It is what it looks like.”
Matthew’s gospel starts out not with this birth narrative but rather a 42 generation genealogy, however. Why? Because this is simply part of a larger story. It is the continuation of God’s activity of redemption from the very beginning. Matthew’s genealogy is not simply a list of names. It’s the abridged history of God’s redemption of his people. “Joseph, son of David” was not a title- it was a command. Remember where you came from. Remember history. Remember His-Story.
The truth of history and the fact of the future is this: God is moving toward his glory! There is nothing in human history or circumstance that is not being worked out toward God’s ultimate glory. His-Story has always been about His glory. It just so happens that it is the nature and character of God as He moves toward His glory to take the scenic route.
Look at David. Samuel came to Bethlehem, to Jesse’s house, to anoint one of Jesse’s sons king. Eluid stood before him first and Samuel thought, “Surely this is the Lord’s anointed.” It is what it looks like. But God says to him, “Samuel, do not look at his outward appearance… for God does not look at the things man looks at.” God was taking the scenic route. Seven of Jesse’s sons stood before Samuel. God desired none of them to be king of his people. “Do you have any more?” Samule asks. “Uh, just one, but he is out in the field with the sheep.”
David was not even considered by his own father as worthy to be a part of this father and son gathering with Samuel. “Jesse, son of David…” was a reminder to Joseph that he was not to make the mistake Jesse and Samuel made by looking only at the surface of things. God was at work. He was moving toward his ultimate glory in Jesus and he was taking the scenic route.
Advent is a time to take assessment of our own lives and discover what scenic route God is inviting us on. Are there things we are discretely “divorcing” ourselves from because we have said, “It is what it looks like”?
God’s story ends in glory and he takes the scenic route to get there. Philippians 2 seemed like fitting encapsulation of this point. Jesus, “being in very nature God… made himself nothing… and became obedient to death.” But that was just part of the scenic route. “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place…” where “…Jesus Christ is Lord, to the GLORY of God the father.”
“Joseph, Son of David…” was what the angel called him in a dream. You see, to Joseph, this situation he was in was what it looked like. His betrothed was pregnant and it wasn’t his. It’s not what he wanted or had planned. He would stop the betrothal short of marriage in a way that would be the least embarrassing for both his and Mary’s families. So often we make Joseph’s mistake. We find ourselves in the middle of a situation that we do not like and we say, “It is what it looks like.”
Matthew’s gospel starts out not with this birth narrative but rather a 42 generation genealogy, however. Why? Because this is simply part of a larger story. It is the continuation of God’s activity of redemption from the very beginning. Matthew’s genealogy is not simply a list of names. It’s the abridged history of God’s redemption of his people. “Joseph, son of David” was not a title- it was a command. Remember where you came from. Remember history. Remember His-Story.
The truth of history and the fact of the future is this: God is moving toward his glory! There is nothing in human history or circumstance that is not being worked out toward God’s ultimate glory. His-Story has always been about His glory. It just so happens that it is the nature and character of God as He moves toward His glory to take the scenic route.
Look at David. Samuel came to Bethlehem, to Jesse’s house, to anoint one of Jesse’s sons king. Eluid stood before him first and Samuel thought, “Surely this is the Lord’s anointed.” It is what it looks like. But God says to him, “Samuel, do not look at his outward appearance… for God does not look at the things man looks at.” God was taking the scenic route. Seven of Jesse’s sons stood before Samuel. God desired none of them to be king of his people. “Do you have any more?” Samule asks. “Uh, just one, but he is out in the field with the sheep.”
David was not even considered by his own father as worthy to be a part of this father and son gathering with Samuel. “Jesse, son of David…” was a reminder to Joseph that he was not to make the mistake Jesse and Samuel made by looking only at the surface of things. God was at work. He was moving toward his ultimate glory in Jesus and he was taking the scenic route.
Advent is a time to take assessment of our own lives and discover what scenic route God is inviting us on. Are there things we are discretely “divorcing” ourselves from because we have said, “It is what it looks like”?
God’s story ends in glory and he takes the scenic route to get there. Philippians 2 seemed like fitting encapsulation of this point. Jesus, “being in very nature God… made himself nothing… and became obedient to death.” But that was just part of the scenic route. “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place…” where “…Jesus Christ is Lord, to the GLORY of God the father.”
Could His-Story end any other way? Could ours?
Pastor Scott
Pastor Scott
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