Sherylle Ladner

Jesus was born into history. Jesus was neither a myth or a legend. He is in fact both historical and verifiable. We have proof that Jesus was born, that He lived, and He died. It is all there in the Bible. If you don't believe in the Bible, then you 'ain't' a Chrisitan

Q5. (1:24-25) What does Joseph accepting Mary as his wife say about his character? What is the significance for prophetic fulfillment of Jesus as a Son of David that Joseph "named" the child "Jesus"? Joseph accepting Mary as his wife shows that he was compassionate person who cares about others and following what the Lord told him to do. Joseph took Jesus as his son meant that he legally adopted him into his heritage--in which Joseph's line come King David (Son of David). Joseph did as the angel asked him to do and Joseph has been known as the father of Jesus.

Q4. (Matthew 1:23) How did the prophetic concept of the virgin conception and the name "Immanuel" find their fullness in the birth of Jesus to Mary? According to Matthew 1:22-23:"All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel' -- which means, 'God with us.'" Matthew was quote Isaiah 7:14. This explains why Mary was chosen. She was a virgin at the time of her marriage to Joseph. According to Jewish traditions, after Mary is brothen to Joseph, she must wait a year before the "marriage night." This is a test of faithfulness to her "husband," and to her faith. God knew this and was pleased that this event happen. After all, He is God and He knew the events that would lead up to this wonderful annoucement about His Son.

Q3. (Matthew 1:21) What is the significance of the name Jesus? Why do you think the angel gave the name to both Mary (Luke 1:31) and Joseph independently? "Jesus" (Greek I?sous) was not an uncommon name at this time, since the Hebrew name Y?sh?a

Q2. (Matthew 1:19) What were Mary's options being pregnant and carrying a baby not her husband's? Mary's options were very limited. She could have been stoned, shunned, or left without a home. Yes, Joseph could have divorced her and she could not remarry. What kind of character did Joseph exhibit by deciding to divorce Mary quietly and leniently? Joseph was a righteous man. He wanted to do right before the eyes of his people and the Jewish law. He did not want to bring shame on Mary and her family.

Jesus would learn from his father Joseph the trade of capartenry. He would learn by an early age how to saw, smooth the wood to the touch. He would also learned how to plane the wood so that it was just so. He would also learn how to deal with people and make contracts. He would observe the people and know how to please them.

They are very appropriate for Mary. Both titles reflect Mary (as a Virgin at the time of Jesus's birth and that as mother to Lord Jesus (God). Many religions hesitant about calling her that because it is from their religious views. To me, she is both.

Mary accepted what God was doing not for her but for the rest of us. We can learn from that Mary if that God calls us we must go and do what He has asked us to do. The response that Mary gave was a "informed consent," and like I said, "When God calls, as Christians, we must make the response or denied God forever.

The virgin conception teachs us that God can do great things if we let Him. That is the central aspect of the doctrine of the virgin conception--God became flesh, and He went through the trials that we humans must face from day to day life.

He will be great. He will be called the Son of the Most High. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; that his kingdom will never end.