Lord's Day Devotion - Patient Obedience

 Joseph's quietly patient obedience is exemplary.  Step-by-step, since he was, no doubt, in stunned shock by learning of Mary's pregnancy, he took upon himself to follow instructions and guidance from the LORD.  I think, he did so despite potential accusations of pre-marital activity, loss of reputation and ostracisation and even stoning to death.

Certainly, he didn't have much of a quiet life once he got his directions:  marry Mary; get off to Bethlehem before she delivered the child; no room in the inn; Jesus born in a stable; flee to Egypt; settle, finally, in Nazareth.  Nazareth, the despised town where hopefully, Jesus would be 'safe'.

Embarassment, humiliation, nomadic, disruption to the carpentry business and stigma of Mary's baby's parentage called into question were some of Joseph's woes.  Yet we see Joseph's humble, obedient and calm demeanor as he packs up and moves on.

What tumultuous thoughts ran through his mind though?  We can only imagine.  And fear...fear for Jesus' safety.  I like that despite the hardships, he protected Mary and Jesus by his selflessness and his quiet obedience.

In the end, baby and toddler Jesus was kept safe.  Their worst fears flaired up again by the 12 year old Jesus staying back to be in His Father's house in Jerusalem.  They had been unaware He had done that.  Talk about panic attack!!

Joseph and Mary then retraced their steps, frantic to find Jesus.  Find Him they did, quiet and safe and sound, amazing the religious leaders with His understanding and answers.  Jesus returns 'home' to Nazareth with Joseph and Mary.  We don't hear much more about Joseph after this.

However, he had been a key man in Jesus' story.  He may not have understood all the significance of what he was doing at the time but his demeanor showed he loved God from the heart and did not just give lip-service during his temple prayers.  Sincerity, integrity, and humble obedience characterized Joseph.  In this, he glorified God and protected Jesus.

On our long and winding roads of life, wouldn't you like the same to be said of you?  I would.  We believe in Jesus Christ, and have Holy Spirit power to live so.  This is because Jesus also carried out God, His Father's will in humble, selfless obedience.  His Father's will led Jesus to all sorts of confrontations, to endure insults, and as we all know, to the pain and agony of the cross.

On the old rugged cross where Jesus bled and died, He took the burden of our sins, redeeming and reconciling us back to God.  He closed that wide and deep, dark chasm of separation between God and mankind.  He went all out to protect us - to give us salvation should we, as individuals, accept this invitation to, "Come."   Jesus bridged that abysmal cleft out of love for us.  

Gratefully give Him thanks.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be upon each brother and sister-in-Christ this Lord's Day, as we remember Jesus in His death and resurrection.  Pass those symbols of broken bread and cup of wine one to another, remembering, for sure, Joseph's part but most importantly, Jesus' selfless sacrifice for us.

Praise the One who died for you and me, and the 'whosoever will.'  May we too, be characterized by humble obedience to God's will and ways.  Aim to follow the examples.  May we each be filled with wisdom and the grace of God as was with Jesus.

                                                ~ERC December 2022~

Based on Matthew 1:21; 2:19-21; Luke 2:39-40 (NIV).

Sing, The Old Rugged Cross, along with Alan Jackson.

Fun Fact credit goes to a friend and brother-in-Christ.