I heard a guy today – a converted Muslim – who actually said the words,
Lord, I know in this life we are destined for trials. Make my trials hard because You are worthy.”
When he came to faith eight years ago, he lost two businesses to his Muslim community. He has endured family disowning him and a wide array of other persecutions, but still he says,
Make my trials hard…mark me, Lord.”
Today’s podcast will feature the verse,
Galatians 6:17 From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.
…and will challenge us all to be “marked” with the cross’s work for 2015.
Mary knew the score. She knew she’d be suspected of adultery, heresy, even mental illness; she knew she’d likely lose her Joseph over the whole ordeal; her parents might never trust her for anything ever again; her family might disown her; she knew she would suffer social indignity, shame and stigma; her rabbi would excommunicate her.
She knew.
And she still said “amen, Lord.”
If young Mary’s life teaches anything, it schools us with the truth that favor is often accompanied by challenge. It requires a submissive response, a costly sacrifice, an abiding amen…
• • • •
Luke 1:38, JBP
"I belong to the Lord, body and soul," replied Mary, "let it happen as you say." And at this the angel left her.
In most Christmas productions, Joseph is downplayed. He has no speaking part usually, and no solo. It’s pretty much Mary’s gig and the songs are mostly about her and her Baby.
However…
Joseph was not an afterthought or an extra in a play or “Husband #3” in the end credits. Matthew makes certain we know just what he means to the redemptive story. And I assure you, it’s significant.
• • • •
Matthew 1:18-25 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.
• • • •
Listen to today’s episode for 3 very grace-soaked ways Joseph contributed to the Advent mystery – and in doing so, resembled the Central Character…perhaps more than anyone else in the cast of Nativity!
Running Time: 21m, 01s
Song Credit:Joseph’s Song, Michael Card on The Promise album, 1991.
