(Matthew 1:20 NLT).
“Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife.
“Are you kidding me?” Wonder why Joseph never asked that of the angel? You know, we are not told a lot about this man named Joseph. It is assumed he was a carpenter by trade because Mark in his gospel tells us that Jesus was a carpenter (Mark 6:3). We know he was a just man and a son of David (Matthew 1:19, 20). We know that he and Mary had other children, 4 boys and an undetermined number of girls (Mark 6:3). Joseph is one of those people that today we would say had his 15 minutes of fame in the Christmas story. He is portrayed in Christmas plays as the one standing beside the manger, holding a staff and smiling. I am sure he had a lot to say but the Bible does not record a single word of his. What the Bible does say about him is of great importance. Joseph was a man that obeyed God. Now you will not find that written per say anywhere in the text. What you will find is that he took Mary to be his wife, as the angel commanded him. You will find that he took Jesus to Egypt as commanded by the angel. You will find that he obeyed once again and left Egypt and took Jesus back to Israel. You will find that he obeyed God by way of a dream and took Jesus to Galilee to the city of Nazareth. The last snapshot we have of him is at Jerusalem when Jesus was twelve (Luke 2:41 – 50). When the people said that Jesus was the son of Mary about eighteen years later it is very likely that Joseph had died at some point (Mark 6:3). What you will not find is Joseph questioning anything that God told him to do or complaining about having to do it. In the history of the world this man Joseph should top the list in the Hall of Faith (Hebrews 11) but he is not mentioned. Wonder why?
Could it be because that he is not really Jesus’ dad? That would be my guess. If Joseph had of become a central character in the life of Christ then people may have confused him with God; Jesus’ real dad. Joseph had no problem doing his part in raising the Son of the Living God. Can you imagine how much more pleasant life would be for us if we could only have the same attitude and allegiance that Joseph did. Not wanting to be center stage but just doing what God would have us to do without questioning or complaining. His name was not on Jesus’ birth certificate but it is written in the Book of Life. What more would one want?
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Monday, December 12, 2011
Gods Gift For You
All of you, slave and free both, were once held hostage in a sinful society. Then a huge sum was paid out for your ransom. (The Message, 1 Corinthians 7:23-24)
I have seen several news reports that say holiday spending is up this year. We usually spend money to buy gifts for others as our way of showing them how much we care about them. Sometimes we buy gifts out of duty feeling pressured to give something to someone out of obligation. Other times we give gifts to those we love to show them they are appreciated. For those we truly love we cannot put a dollar amount upon their worth to us.
One report stated that Americans spent over 41 billion dollars last year on our pets! Why are we so in love with our pets? Perhaps it is because we mean something to them. They depend on us. They need us. They reciprocate our love. I saw a bumper sticker that read, “The more people I know the better I like my dog.”
Do you realize how valuable of a gift you are? You may not feel like you mean anything to anyone but I have news for you; you do. You might think you are an outcast, the black sheep of the family or the unappreciated coworker. Christmas time is depressing for you because like Charlie Brown, there are no cards in your mailbox. No invitations to parties, no family to have dinner with, no banquets to attend. Christmas is just another day.
God appreciates you. He loves you and cares about you so much that He gave you life to begin with and then paid the ultimate price to have you for His own. The old devil kidnapped us by way of Adam and Eve in Eden but God paid the ransom to get us back! That Nativity scene in front of the church or in the neighbor’s yard is but a symbol of how much God loves you. He gave the life of His Son in exchange for yours! People may not appreciate you but Jesus does! The Apostle Peter said that all the silver and gold in the world is not worth as much as you are to God! That little symbolic plastic or porcelain baby in that manger scene should remind you of how valuable you really are. A Gift from God to you.
I have seen several news reports that say holiday spending is up this year. We usually spend money to buy gifts for others as our way of showing them how much we care about them. Sometimes we buy gifts out of duty feeling pressured to give something to someone out of obligation. Other times we give gifts to those we love to show them they are appreciated. For those we truly love we cannot put a dollar amount upon their worth to us.
One report stated that Americans spent over 41 billion dollars last year on our pets! Why are we so in love with our pets? Perhaps it is because we mean something to them. They depend on us. They need us. They reciprocate our love. I saw a bumper sticker that read, “The more people I know the better I like my dog.”
Do you realize how valuable of a gift you are? You may not feel like you mean anything to anyone but I have news for you; you do. You might think you are an outcast, the black sheep of the family or the unappreciated coworker. Christmas time is depressing for you because like Charlie Brown, there are no cards in your mailbox. No invitations to parties, no family to have dinner with, no banquets to attend. Christmas is just another day.
God appreciates you. He loves you and cares about you so much that He gave you life to begin with and then paid the ultimate price to have you for His own. The old devil kidnapped us by way of Adam and Eve in Eden but God paid the ransom to get us back! That Nativity scene in front of the church or in the neighbor’s yard is but a symbol of how much God loves you. He gave the life of His Son in exchange for yours! People may not appreciate you but Jesus does! The Apostle Peter said that all the silver and gold in the world is not worth as much as you are to God! That little symbolic plastic or porcelain baby in that manger scene should remind you of how valuable you really are. A Gift from God to you.
Monday, December 5, 2011
The Messiah?! In Bethlehem?
Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. (Luke 2:17 NKJV)
A couple of guys are sitting around the table in the Bethlehem coffee house having their usual morning get together before heading off for their jobs. “Hey guys did you here what the shepherds are going around town talking about?” One of them asks. “No, what are they saying?” One of them asks. “Well, rumor has it that some angles appeared to them while they were in the fields keeping watch the other night. I don’t know but if you ask me it sounds a bit strange.” Another one chimes in, “I tell you what, those shepherds can come up with some stuff. It has to get boring following those sheep all day and all night.” Then one asks, “What did the angels do to them?” “I understood that they gave them a message about the Messiah being born.” The Messiah?! The Holy One of Israel? The Deliverer? Being born here in Bethlehem? Ha! Maybe in Jerusalem but not Bethlehem.” One of them adds, “I remember somewhere hearing that one of the Prophets said He would come from Bethlehem.” Another one asks, “But why would God send His angels to a bunch of shepherds and tell them instead of the Rabbis?” The other says, “Yeah, if God was going to do something like that He would not waste His time or efforts on a bunch of sheepherders. He would send an angel to one of the Pharisees first. That news is what our people have been waiting to hear for hundreds of years so I cannot imagine Him telling it first to shepherds.” They look at their sundials and determine its time to go to their jobs. “Well, I will see you guys tomorrow; Shepherds and angels, what a riot!” One of them comments.
Sound familiar to you? This conversation could take place at Starbucks in New York or Judy’s Diner in Fort Chiswell. The Good News of the Gospel seems to arouse more skepticism than interest. Jesus is not as important to the majority as He is to us. Thousands have heard of Him but few know Him. It is interesting to note that the shepherds went to see what the angels told them was happening. Had they believed that the angels were just a vision from lack of sleep and to much fig tea and never followed through, we would have never known they were the first to be told. God would have got His message out; some other way.
Are we following the example of the shepherds? Are we going about the town telling people about our encounter with Christ? Or, are we following the example of the scoffers. The Christmas season is a great time for Christians to tell others about Christ. Share with someone where you met Christ and offer to introduce them to Him.
A couple of guys are sitting around the table in the Bethlehem coffee house having their usual morning get together before heading off for their jobs. “Hey guys did you here what the shepherds are going around town talking about?” One of them asks. “No, what are they saying?” One of them asks. “Well, rumor has it that some angles appeared to them while they were in the fields keeping watch the other night. I don’t know but if you ask me it sounds a bit strange.” Another one chimes in, “I tell you what, those shepherds can come up with some stuff. It has to get boring following those sheep all day and all night.” Then one asks, “What did the angels do to them?” “I understood that they gave them a message about the Messiah being born.” The Messiah?! The Holy One of Israel? The Deliverer? Being born here in Bethlehem? Ha! Maybe in Jerusalem but not Bethlehem.” One of them adds, “I remember somewhere hearing that one of the Prophets said He would come from Bethlehem.” Another one asks, “But why would God send His angels to a bunch of shepherds and tell them instead of the Rabbis?” The other says, “Yeah, if God was going to do something like that He would not waste His time or efforts on a bunch of sheepherders. He would send an angel to one of the Pharisees first. That news is what our people have been waiting to hear for hundreds of years so I cannot imagine Him telling it first to shepherds.” They look at their sundials and determine its time to go to their jobs. “Well, I will see you guys tomorrow; Shepherds and angels, what a riot!” One of them comments.
Sound familiar to you? This conversation could take place at Starbucks in New York or Judy’s Diner in Fort Chiswell. The Good News of the Gospel seems to arouse more skepticism than interest. Jesus is not as important to the majority as He is to us. Thousands have heard of Him but few know Him. It is interesting to note that the shepherds went to see what the angels told them was happening. Had they believed that the angels were just a vision from lack of sleep and to much fig tea and never followed through, we would have never known they were the first to be told. God would have got His message out; some other way.
Are we following the example of the shepherds? Are we going about the town telling people about our encounter with Christ? Or, are we following the example of the scoffers. The Christmas season is a great time for Christians to tell others about Christ. Share with someone where you met Christ and offer to introduce them to Him.
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