Day 22 - Advent Morning Minute with Pastor Jason Cullum VERSES: Matthew 1:18-25 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus. KEY THOUGHT: The strength of what we believe is measured by how much we are willing to suffer for those beliefs. Joseph was a man with strong beliefs. He was prepared to do what was right, despite the pain he knew it would cause. And what I love about Joseph is he not only tried to do what was right, but he also tried to do it the right way. Joseph was in a hard spot. He knew the child in Mary was not his. And really?...God’s child? What turnip truck does she think I fell off of? He only saw two options. Break off the engagement quietly or have her stoned to death. Thankfully Joseph was a righteous man and God led him to a third option…marry Mary. Many times God reveals other options to us in our time of need. But He doesn’t reveal those options when we’re sitting around waiting for angels. He reveals options when we’re already moving to honor Him. What we see from Joseph is he was going to do the right thing by Mary. He was going to honor her and not expose her to public humiliation. And that was before he had a visitor from Heaven. Then the angel showed up! The angel confirmed Mary’s story and gave Joseph very clear direction. Take Mary as your wife. Raise this child as your own. And call him Jesus. No big deal right? Be the Earthly father to God’s Son. No pressure. The average guy may have buckled under the pressure and threw in the towel. But Joseph was not your average guy. He was a man who willing to do whatever it took to do the right thing. I’m sure he was afraid. I’m sure he was intimidated. I’m sure he had questions. But it never stopped him from doing what he knew he needed to do, no matter the cost to him personally. Sometimes doing the right thing is the most difficult thing to do personally. Joseph knew Jesus was someone special from the moment he heard the angel’s words. His strong belief in that fact, and his willingness to follow God’s leading, empowered him to be Jesus’ chosen earthly father. When we’re faced with a tough decision or an action that needs to be taken, Joseph provides a great example of how when we trust God, even when it’s difficult, God helps us figure out the best action to take. PRAYER: Dear God, give me courage to always do the right thing. Help me to see past my limited perspective and seek your supernatural direction. Your plans are far better than my plans. And Father, when doing the right thing may cost me, don’t let me take the easy way out. Help me to trust you and do whatever it takes, whatever the cost.
Posted on: Mon, 22 Dec 2014 12:05:13 +0000
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