Wear Joseph's Shoes - Merry Christmas!

 Dear Saints,

Let us look closely at Joseph this Christmas in our present society's quest and chase for what is in it for me. Of course, more has been written and sung about Mary, the virgin mother of Jesus Christ, and rightly so.

Let’s see if we can wear the shoes of Joseph and listen to his portion of the Christmas story:

“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.

20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying:

23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

24 Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, 25 and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.” Matthew 1:18-25.

The above is a story of the highest doubt and, at the same time, of belief, faith, and trust in God.

Of course, like Joseph, I would doubt this story of my wife. Who would believe a wife who comes to say she is pregnant with a baby by the Holy Spirit? Remember, engaged/almost married couples were not shacking up as people do now. Joseph knows for sure I have not done anything towards this pregnancy.

We are told Joseph was a “just man” and wanted to divorce Mary quietly. That’s admirable; some of us could do so and not embarrass Mary and demean her.

But now, Joseph’s challenge comes to a crucial point. God gives him a dream and a message through an angel. Would you believe the angel?

Oh, friend, many of us would quickly dismiss the angel and say it is just another dream. Maybe it was the pizza I ate last night.

I believe God’s grace allowed Joseph to believe and trust in the message of the virgin conception by the Holy Spirit. It was not a matter of Joseph’s willpower. It’s still the same work of grace to come to faith and believe that Jesus was of virgin birth; he lived a perfect life, was crucified and died, buried, and rose from death to forgive and secure our salvation.

Like Joseph, we must move from my will be done to God’s will be done. God’s will must be done whether we like it or not. In this case, the baby Jesus was already in Mary's womb; Joseph couldn’t change that reality. He can only accept or reject it.

So it is for you and me. We either accept God’s will in our lives or be frustrated and die in unbelief. No wonder Jesus taught us to pray, “thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

Can we start asking what’s in this for God’s glory in our dealings?

Notice that the Word of God backs up Joseph’s faith. “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” This is a prophecy in Isaiah 7:14. We must subject all things to God’s Word to determine the truth and believe the truth and obey the truth.

What are you going through right now? Have you paused to check the scriptures? You may not have a dream like Joseph, but you have the Bible, God’s Word. Let us read it and believe it. Like Joseph, we must obey God’s revelation and instructions to us. Joseph obeyed, "took to him his wife” and did not divorce Mary.

We are so bent on things going our way. How about stopping and allowing God’s will in our lives? We must start asking what matters for eternity in our daily living and decisions.

Who wants to be married and wait for almost a year for the first honeymoon night? Joseph and Mary did. You see, it was God’s will for them, and it was for a purpose more significant than the enjoyment of their marriage. God could not allow the fact of the virgin birth to be convoluted, confused, and doubtful to all of us. 

Jesus Christ was clearly born of a virgin by the conception of the Holy Spirit. Joseph was never biologically/intimately involved in the process - “and [Joseph] did not know her [Mary]” until after Jesus was born. Joseph and Mary were objects of gossip/humiliation because of their obedience to the will of God.

We must first believe in the virgin birth of Jesus Christ. But it doesn’t stop there. We must believe all the way to the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, his ascension into heaven, and his soon return to judge, rule, and reign forever.

Oh, you would think everyone believes all the way. It’s not so for millions, especially the Muslim religion, which even in the Quran (chapters or sura 3:47; 19:20; 4:157-158; 112) acknowledges the virgin birth but denies that Jesus Christ died, was buried and rose from the grave and denies that Christ is God in human flesh.

Friends, this is the greatest lie that has been fed and believed by millions worldwide. YES, we do not believe the same as Islam and millions of others, and make no mistake, Jesus is God. 

If Jesus is not fully God and fully human, and there was no death, burial, or resurrection of Jesus Christ, we would still remain in our sins and have no forgiveness and salvation in Christ. We must love all people, including Muslims, but we must put God’s Word above all else. Let us pray for all and tell all the Gospel truth of Jesus. Christ is the only way, truth, life-giver, and life worth living for eternity.

Are you wearing Joseph’s shoes these days? The world is divided into two - Believers and Unbelievers. The choice is yours to believe like Joseph and be a blessing to the whole world.

It’s not about you and me. It’s about God’s will being done. It’s about you and I being a blessing to others through what God allows through us. You don’t have to get your way in life, the arguments, the profits, and prosperity. God’s will and love are sufficient for us. Joseph and Mary were told respectively, “fear not.” God is still saying the same to us, "fear not" in all our circumstances. Amen.

Someone said, “God chooses how we are to glorify Him.” If we belong to God, it’s not our choice. I need to settle down, accept, and flow along the way. God has allowed things in my life that are beyond my immediate comprehension. He loves me too much and died for me. He has never been wrong, and nothing can separate Him from His love for me - Romans 8:35-39.

“You shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Today, believe, trust, and be saved from your sins through Jesus Christ, the Lord, and Savior. Let God, “Immanuel” Jesus Christ, be with you now and forever. It was prophesied at least 700 years before His birth that Jesus is God, “Immanuel” God with us. Christ’s deity was also declared at his conception for all to know for a certainty.

“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Luke 2:14.

King Jesus, who forever existed before His virgin birth, has been born, and He is coming back to judge, rule, and reign in His kingdom. Are you a member of King Jesus family? Do you believe that Jesus Christ is God who has come to save you? 

Joy to the world! Let the earth rejoice.

Lord, we worship you as the King of kings and Lord of lords. Thank you for saving us from our sins, for we all have sinned. I repent, and please forgive me. Let your will not mine be done in my life and on earth. Amen.

Wear Joseph/Mary’s shoes to bless the world. Share the greatest news of God’s salvation and grace. This Christmas, introduce people to Jesus Christ, the Savior and Lord. Amen.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!