Read Mt. 1:18-21
“Joseph, descendant of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. She has conceived by the Holy Spirit, and will bear a son, whom you shall call ‘Jesus’ for he will save his people from their sins” (vv. 20-21).
“Joseph, descendant of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. She has conceived by the Holy Spirit, and will bear a son, whom you shall call ‘Jesus’ for he will save his people from their sins” (vv. 20-21).
Honestly, this is really hard to swallow. It is really an uncomfortable task. Just like that; just leave it, that your plan (to quietly do away with her because of the shame) says the angel to Joseph in a dream. Hmmm! Na Wao ooooo! “This na pepper” according to one of my friends.
Most times I really feel these biblical characters are just stupidly mad. Look at Abraham for example, he left everything – his country, his father’s house and his family just because God said so (Gen. 12); yesterday it was Peter and his friends, the other time it was Shedrack, Meshach and Abednego, now it’s Joseph.
No, no, it’s just too demanding, following God I mean. It’s difficult and frustrating. Do you also think so my friend? Just imagine, who in his right senses would accept this? The girl you want to get married to, a supposedly ‘virgin’ pregnant for someone else, how? When? And you were even commanded in “a dream” to accept it just like that and, forget whatever plan that was in your heart, take responsibility of the child and give him the name already arranged for it (“a beg person go go sleep again, because this n bad dream”).
Ha!!!! This is really hard. Must I comply? Must I listen? Would you?
Ha!!!! This is really hard. Must I comply? Must I listen? Would you?
Jesus too was mad, madly in love to the point of death, a shameful one on the cross between two thieves. He just left everything (Phil. 2:1-8). And what was the result of Jesus’ madness? A wonderful name was given him that makes all sovereignty to bow (vv. 9-11); there shall be no condemnation for me (Rom. 8:1), victory (v.2), heirs of God’s Kingdom (vv. 15-17); the power and wisdom of God (1 Cor. 1:24); the faithful love of God (Lam. 3:22-23).
In my critical reflection of all these madness I have come to understand one fact, strangely though, that in order to receive all these beauty I need too to be “mad” for God like these persons. For just leaving everything entails faithfulness and trust. Joseph lived a happy life in spite of this difficult task, likewise the others, but today they are th heroes of our faith. When we sincerely do (I will not say if), that is to b faithful an trust we will receive same rewards in spite of our challenges (cf. 1 Kn. 1:3-4).
Holy Week begins tomorrow friend, Jesus invites you to join him on the last lap of the journey to the cross where he wants you to leave everything so that he can crucify them to his cross. Would you listen and accept his invitation? You just need to make that decision tonight. Sing them prayerfully “He leadeth me.” Study Deut. 34.
SHEPHERD ME O LORD BEYOND MY STRENGTH.