Bible Soundbites
Monday, 04 August 2008 00:00 | and posted in Joseph
This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. His mother Mary was engaged to marry Joseph, but before they married, she learned she was pregnant by the power of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 1:18
Joseph’s life is really coming together. He has a great job as a carpenter and is engaged to the most beautiful girl in the world. What’s more she even shares his love for God. Things just couldn’t be much better. And then…wham! She gets pregnant and it’s not his. What do you do when your world falls apart?
Tuesday, 05 August 2008 00:00 | and posted in Joseph
Because Mary’s husband, Joseph, was a good man, he did not want to disgrace her in public, so he planned to divorce her secretly. Matthew 1:19
How does Joseph feel? Angry? Sick? Betrayed? Probably all of the above, but amazingly he’s not out for revenge. He could have had her publicly humiliated or worse as the law allowed him to kill her… Instead, his love for her is greater than his pain and he decides to break it off quietly. Perhaps he knew that getting your own back is never as sweet as you imagine.
Wednesday, 06 August 2008 00:00 | and posted in Joseph
When Joseph woke up, he did what the Lord’s angel had told him to do. Joseph took Mary as his wife. Matthew 1:24
Joseph’s solution to Mary’s pregnancy was not what God had in mind. So God sends an angel to speak to him in a dream (something Joseph will get used to over the years!) in order to convince him to marry Mary. Despite what others may say to his face or behind his back, he believes God’s message and chooses to act on it by marrying Mary.
Thursday, 07 August 2008 00:00 | and posted in Joseph
Jesus’ father and mother were amazed at what Simeon had said about him. Luke 2:33
Everyone likes to oooh and aaah at a baby, but what Simeon has to say about Jesus is mind-blowing. Joseph is amazed that this child God has brought into his family will bring salvation to the world. What do you imagine he is thinking here?
Isn’t it amazing that God gave to Joseph the responsibility of parenting our saviour…!!!
Friday, 08 August 2008 00:00 | and posted in Joseph
So Joseph got up and left for Egypt during the night with the child and his mother. Matthew 2:14
This must have been some dream. Joseph wakes up in the middle of the night, forces Mary out of bed, gets her packed and they’re leaving Bethlehem with Jesus while it’s still pitch black. Joseph certainly comes across as a man of courage, conviction and faith as he leads his family in the middle of the night to seek asylum in Egypt.
Saturday, 09 August 2008 00:00 | and posted in Joseph
When Jesus’ parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, ’Son, why did you do this to us? Your father and I were very worried about you and have been looking for you.’ Luke 2:48
Here’s a different kind of nightmare for Joseph. When Jesus is twelve, he goes AWOL in Jerusalem. Three days of searching. Three days of asking, “How could we have let this happen?” Jesus’ “chillax” response when he turns up doesn’t help! Joseph discovers that sometimes when you’re walking with God, you have to keep going even though you haven’t a clue what’s really going on.
Sunday, 10 August 2008 00:00 | and posted in Joseph
When Jesus saw his mother there and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Dear woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. John 19:27
Joseph disappears from the gospel story and these words of Jesus from the cross confirm our suspicions that he must have died. He didn’t see all that Jesus became. God’s plans unfold over a longer span than one lifetime. All that Joseph could do - all that you can do - is faithfully play the part God gives, and trust that the bigger picture is safe in his hands.