Matthew 1: 18-25

                                               Joseph’s Dream

 Chuck Swindoll has a radio show I listen to every morning at 5:00am. As I exit the shower I hear his honest, straight forward message about what the bible has to say about life. The latest series he has written and delivered is called “Joseph Did You Know.” I have always loved the Christmas song “Mary Did You Know” so it immediately sparked my interest even more than usual.

He spoke of how Joseph must have felt when Mary told him of her visit from an angel, and that she was carrying a child conceived by the Holy Spirit. “Yea right,” he likely thought. We can imagine the disbelief of anyone who was told such a thing, yet it was the truth. Chuck’s message went on to bring to light the kind and virtuous man Joseph was, and how he proceeded once he was also visited by an angel in a dream that clarified Mary’s claim. 

As Mr. Swindoll continued, my thoughts drifted to Joseph as a father. Throughout Jesus’ life, there is not much mention in the bible of Joseph and his relationship with Jesus, Mary, or anyone else for that matter. We know he was a carpenter by trade. I envision Joseph sawing, pounding, and smoothing rough wooden edges with his strong, weathered hands, thinking, “Why was I chosen, and what is my role now?” How could he possibly know how to be the father of Christ? Was God watching every encounter he had with Jesus and critiquing his parenting style?

The role of a father is enormous. It is a responsibility no mother can understand. Though they may appear harsh or unfeeling on the surface, most fathers have a true heart for their children and work hard to protect, provide, and plan for their future. May God bless the fathers of this world, and give them the strength, patience, and determination to stay the course, and follow the will of the Lord, no matter what. 

Read/Listen to Matthew 1: 18-25 

The Story - Chapter 22 - The Birth of the King

I hope you are as exciting as I am to begin the New Testament and to read Matthew 1:1 (NIV) "A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham:" And then while reading the names come to the realization that we know the story behind these names.  They actually mean something now.

We not only can acknowledge the amazing line Jesus was born from, but the names Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Boaz, Ruth, David, Solomon are from stories we now know something about.  We have traveled the roads of bondage with them.  We have escaped captivity with the Israelites and we have hid in the hills with David. There is much more meaning to time spent in God's Word.

We have traveled through forty-two generations, arriving now at the Birth of Jesus Christ. I wonder what lays ahead for us.  I thought I knew the Old Testament before, but discovered I only had a narrow pictures.  Now, each time I read through a familiar story I will be able to place it in the proper time concept which adds to my understanding.

The New Testament is sure to come alive in this same way.  Let's stay together on this journey, and let's share Jesus' life lessons, applying them to our own. Let us listen more intently to His disciples and learn from them as well.  There is still much more to The Story.

Read Matthew 1 here

Listen to Mathew 1 here