Today in our writing we begin in Matthew again (www.lifejournal.cc). From here on out we will focus on the New Testament with just a few Psalms thrown in. If you keep up with the reading, you will be amazed at how much of the New Testament that you will take in between now and the end of the year. Hang on to your hat and dig in!!
We read of the birth of Jesus this morning, but I must say, I read of Joseph. He stood out so strong to me this morning. Ole Joseph had to be overwhelmed. God put him in a plan that I don't think he could have seen coming. He handled it wonderfully though. How did he know what to do? He just did what God told him. Look at this stark, bold, obvious insight into his life. First he was going to divorce her (an engagement was legal in that day), but the angel told him not to. Matthew 1:24 tells us- When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife. After the birth and the wisemen came (up to 2 years later, not at the manger), Joseph was warned to leave due to Herod's rant. Matthew 2:14-15 tells us- And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt 15and remained there until the death of Herod. Then two more times...Matthew 2:19ff -19But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20saying, "Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead." 21And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. ...and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. 23And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled: "He shall be called a Nazarene."
We do not hear of Joseph after Jesus is raised. What we know about him surrounds the birth of Christ. As I read this passage I get two impressions: the lesser one is 'they were on the run.' The greater one is Joseph was committed to being obedient. Notice how clearly God spoke to Him. However, also notice how quickly and clearly he responded in obedience. God spoke at night and Joseph acted in obedience in it first thing (I bet he didn't even finish out his night before going). He never hesitated. I believe he teaches us something. What do you do when you don't know what to do? What do you do when God allows you (or puts you) in spots that seem overwhelming to you? You just do what God tells you. Don't delay. Don't put it off. Just do it! And do it when you are told to do it! Joseph did and he brought to boy Jesus to the place that fulfilled prophecy concerning Him (Mt. 2:23). Just by following the Lord. May we do the same as God leads us.
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