Matthew 1:18-25

Can you imagine the conversation between Mary and Joseph?
Mary: "Hey Joe, um.... by the way I um... well how do I put this well... I am "with child"."
Joseph: "Are you kidding me Mary? Who is the guy? I am going to kill him!"
Mary: "Who is the guy?" Well um... How can I say this... GOD!"

Joseph found himself in a situation where the woman he loved, by all indications, had betrayed him. If ever there was a time when a guy had an excuse to go on a "rant", become bitter to the core and take out his revenge and wrath on Mary, God and everybody; Joseph had it. He didn't do that. I think that we might learn from his example.

In time of Despair: Obey God Openly
In time of Doubt: Seek God Sincerely
In time of Direction: Follow God Fully

When he found out about Mary he decided to do the "right thing". That is not easy to do when you are deeply hurt by the person you love the most. God graciously let Joseph know that Mary was telling the truth. That made it easier, but still not easy by any means. He "stuck it out", even though he knew it would be a difficult road. But because he did, his legacy is remembered every Sunday before Christmas in thousands of Christmas pageants all over the world. More importantly, he, I have no doubt, is experiencing rich rewards for all of eternity. May all of us do the right thing in every circumstance, no matter how painful. May we never trade the eternal rewards God has prepared for us for the passing pleasure of a "rant".

Comments

  1. AnonymousJanuary 1, 2011 at 10:06 AM

    =) this is awesome Dad!!! I'm so glad you're doing this =) it definitely gives a fresh look at things =)

    ReplyDelete
  2. MitchJanuary 2, 2011 at 8:00 AM

    Gary- Very cool. I saved this in my iPhone favorites so I can follow on the go. It will be a blessing. Thx for doing this.

    ReplyDelete
  3. ChaplainJanuary 2, 2011 at 4:30 PM

    How much do you think Joseph knew about his lineage? What did he know about those special ladies in his heritage?
    I tried to tie the chapter together and came up with verse 22 - Ora tudo isto aconteceu para que cumprisse. This probably applies specifically to verses 18-21 but maybe also generally to 1-17.
    How encouraging would it be for Joe to realize that God had been orchestrating all of history (even including those "coincidental" women) to bring about the Messiah's coming?
    If God can control all those historic events it's a piece of cake to take care of his situation and Joe can trust Him to still be in control.
    Of course even if he wasn't aware of his genealogy and all the special events, we are.

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownJanuary 2, 2011 at 6:31 PM

    Hey Gary...

    So great to hear from you - and this sounds spiritually stimulating. Good idea. May the Lord bless your family with another year of making you more like His Son...the likeness is getting clearer all the time!

    We'll check in often!

    Larry Regier

    ReplyDelete
  5. Gary ParkerJanuary 2, 2011 at 7:46 PM

    Larry,

    Great to hear from you too buddy. Sorry we missed you this summer, but God will allow us to spend time together and sharpen one another in person as He deems best. Until then this will have to do.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Gary ParkerJanuary 2, 2011 at 7:53 PM

    Chaplain,
    Great thoughts!! Certainly if Joseph was aware of God's moving in the past he would have had great confidence. I rather suspect that He was in the dark and that it never entered his mind that he would be chosen for such a task. I picture a big jaw dropping when the angel clued Him in. But we do know so much more now so find ourselves without excuse for our faithless ways.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Isaiah 54:1-17

Hope is a wonderful blessing from God, without which we would be vulnerable to all kinds of destructive tendencies in our lives.  Today’s society is marked by depression, anger, fear, anxiety and self-righteousness, in large part, because of the sense of hopelessness that prevails in our culture.  Isaiah writes to a people who are about to be taken into captivity because of their sin.  God knows that they will feel rejected, threatened and hopeless so He reveals His future plans for the nation in order to give them hope in the midst of the coming trial.  Hope is the expectation of good based upon the promises of God.  Many times when our lives are marked by the sins mentioned above it is because we have forgotten or failed to focus upon the promises of God’s Word. THE PROMISE OF GOD: From the very first day that God revealed His plan for the nation of Israel, He promised numerous descendants.  God chose Abraham, not because he was more righteous than a...
Read more

2 Timothy 1:3-7

I thank God   whom I serve, as did my ancestors,   with a clear conscience, as I remember you   constantly in my prayers night and day.    As I remember your tears,   I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy.    I am reminded of   your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and   your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.    For this reason I remind you   to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us   a spirit not of fear but   of power and love and self-control. It is easy for us to forget many important things especially in the face of difficulty or danger.  Paul is in prison and Timothy is facing difficult times in ministry so there are important reminders that Paul wants to make sure that Timothy understands.  God has given us everything we need to face the difficulties He allows i...
Read more

2 Timothy 1:8-14

Therefore   do not be ashamed of   the testimony about our Lord, nor of   me his prisoner, but   share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,   who saved us and   called us to a holy calling,   not because of our works but because of   his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus   before the ages began, and which now has   been manifested through   the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus,   who abolished death and   brought life and   immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But   I am not ashamed, for   I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until   that day   what has been entrusted to me.  Follow   the pattern of   the sound words   that you have heard from me, in   the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ...
Read more