Foundations Dec 14, 2010

Tuesday, December 14, 2010
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Ezekiel 1-3 and Hebrews 12

SCRIPTURE READING

Matthew 1:18-20, 24 (ESV); 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… When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him…

Joseph is never elevated to saintly status as that of Mary, however his actions were equal to hers in submission. We know little of him, though it is clear that nobility and integrity were significantly evident in his character. In those days, sexual relations between a betrothed couple was considered immoral (as they are today), and adultery was punishable by death! Joseph desired to remain unstained himself, while still showing mercy to his young bride-to-be by quietly ending the betrothal. But despite the almost certain stain to his reputation, he obeyed the word of the Lord and endured scorn and ridicule from society by keeping Mary as his betrothed.

Joseph’s position in this story is of the nitty-gritty sort. He was the father to one whom society saw as an illegitimate child. His reputation was never redeemed, and few would believe the plausibility of a virgin birth. In this way, Jesus’ own endurance in adversity was both a reflection of His heavenly and His earthly fathers.

PRAYER and MEDITATION

1.       Take a few moments to think about Joseph and his role in God’s plan to come to earth. What can you learn from him?

2.       Do you feel as though you are on the bottom rung of something? Are you at a place where no credit is given for your hard work?

3.       Is your attitude one of joy in adversity and injustice? Ask the Holy Spirit to analyze your heart and show you any areas of bitterness, negativity, offense, etc. that you need to confess.

4.   Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal how HE feels about you and your role that seems unnoticed to man.