Tag Archives: Jesus

The Amazing Faith of Mary and Joseph

The story of Christmas is said to be the greatest ever told. It’s the story of the Creator of the Universe, the All-powerful One, “I Am” coming down and humbling Himself, taking the form of an infant human in order to save the world. I love hearing the story. This year as I was reading through it, I was struck by Mary’s faith as she carried the Messiah in her womb. And as I continued reading, there was Joseph, himself faithful to be the earthly father the Son of God. They both took incredible risks and demonstrated great trust in God and in one another parenting the Promised One, the Savior of the world. 

The Faith of Mary

“In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.”

Luke 1:26-38

By becoming pregnant out of wedlock, Mary risked being executed for adultery. In those days the maternal mortality rate was high and she risked complications during her pregnancy and dying in childbirth. But Mary depended on God. She believed the promise the angel delivered to her, that she would be protected and would deliver the Son of God without complication and raise Him to adulthood. 

But Mary didn’t just risk bodily harm or death by carrying the Messiah. She also risked her relationship with her fiance Joseph by carrying a child that wasn’t his. And even if Joseph didn’t end the relationship or have her executed, he may resent her for their entire marriage for having to raise a son not biologically his. 

Mary also knew being Jesus’ mother would bring her pain. It was foretold by Simeon when Jesus was dedicated in the temple:

“And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

Luke 2:33-35

Being the mother of God would not be easy, but Mary trusted her Father and became the most blessed among women.

“And Mary said, 

“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.”

Luke 1:46-50

The Faith of Joseph

“Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,

and they shall call his name Immanuel”

(which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.”

Matthew 1:18-25

No one would have blamed Joseph if he had quietly dissolved his relationship with Mary upon finding out she was pregnant with a baby who wasn’t his. We may not have read about him in the Bible, but if he’d still made it in there, he would have been an honorable man. After all, agreeing to marry Mary meant Jesus would be his first-born son, the heir to his household. He would essentially be adopting her Son and raising Him as his own. But Joseph was not just a man of integrity, he was a man of faith. When the angel visited him, he trusted God. He took on the risk of being head of the earthly family of the Messiah, the Chosen One. 

When Herod threatened his family, Joseph, along with Mary and their Child, fled to Egypt, becoming refugees. He left his home, his extended family, and his livelihood to protect the Messiah from the murderous wrath of the king.

“Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet,“Out of Egypt I called my son.”

Matthew 2:13-15

Joseph embraced Jesus as his Son, teaching Him the carpentry trade. But all the while, Joseph knew he was Jesus’ earthly father and that His Father in Heaven was the ultimate authority.

A Marriage of Faith

Both Mary and Joseph risked everything to be faithful to God. Fleeing the country to protect their Son separated them from all earthly support systems. They relied on God for provision, for safety, and trusted they were raising the Savior of the world – together. 

And when they returned to Nazareth, they risked scoffing looks and gossip about their family. How many knew Mary was pregnant at their wedding? And what about as Jesus grew up and he didn’t look like His father Joseph?

What a love story! What incredible trust between them and faith in the Father of all.

Maybe that’s why God chose them to be the earthly parents for His Son, because of their great faith in Him, their incredible relationship with each other, and their willingness to be living sacrifices for the Lord their God.

What a marriage! I mean, can you imagine having a relationship built on mutual trust and service to God? It’s absolutely incredible. May we all aspire to their faithfulness.

Glory be to God!

6 Stories of Jesus’ Love for the Least

Weary.

Weary at work.

Weary at home.

Just weary…

Jesus promises rest.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30

He doesn’t say, “Chin up, you’ll get through this.” No, He bids us to come cuddle up with Him, lean against Him, and let Him give us rest.

When I find myself feeling heavy, burdened, or tired I find it helpful to be reminded of the love of Jesus.

This week I want to explore the examples I used in “A Letter to the Lost” and talk about His love for the least.

Love for Children

“And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.”

Mark 10:13-16

Great people aren’t supposed to associate with children. They’re often too busy doing their great things or seen as being too important to waste their talents on children. But not Jesus. The disciples tried to get them to go away because they thought Jesus was too good for children, too great to waste His time with them.

And He was angry with them. Upset they didn’t realize they were pushing away the very people who are the most important in His Kingdom – those who trust, who know they don’t have anything to recommend them to a great God, who lead with their hearts, and follow those they trust.

Well, on a good day anyway.

Jesus wants us to see Him and see the world as children do – with eyes of wonder, beholding new things. And He wants us to walk with Him like a child does with their Daddy – hand in hand, understanding Daddy knows the way.

Love for the Desperate

“And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, for she said to herself, “If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.” Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well.”

Matthew 9:20-22

This woman had been suffering for twelve years! She had been an outcast, unclean for over a decade! She has spent all her money, exhausted all her resources trying to get well. And they all failed. Nothing had cured her. She had nothing left.

Except Jesus. She didn’t want to be a burden, didn’t want to call attention to herself. But she knew the Son of God was walking by and that there was enough power contained in just the hem of His robe to heal her. She wasn’t asking much, but for her it was everything.

And He healed her because of her faith. Jesus looked down at this desperate woman, the one with nothing left, and He loved her.

Love for the Broken

“And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment…Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”’

Luke 7:37-38,44-48

I’m sure the Pharisee’s skin wrinkled and their noses turned up when this woman entered the home and fell at Jesus’ feet. They thought, “Who does she think she is, interrupting our dinner with her hysterics?” Then they turned to look at Jesus, expecting Him to throw her out. Instead they received a rebuke from Him about their hospitality.

This woman knew she needed help. She knew she was broken and couldn’t fix herself. So she found the Savior and gave Him everything she had. And she was met with love and forgiveness.

Love for the Guilty

“The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst  they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground.  And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”’

John 8:3-11

Jesus had every right to condemn the adulteress to death. It was the Law, after all. But Jesus was always surprising people. And instead of carrying out the Law on her, He turned it on the accusers. Because Jesus came for sinners. He came to save us from all the things we’ve done. If we’re honest, we know we all deserve death. And while we love to point out the faults in others, we don’t like it so much when God points out our own sin.

Jesus meets those who are guilty with Grace. He chose death so we could have life.

Love for Outsiders

Jesus met with the Samaritan woman at the well. She was there mid-day, apart from all the other women in the town. By Jesus’ conversation with her, we know she was caught in a pattern of sin. The story isn’t clear about why she’d had so many husbands, but it is clear that the man she was currently living with was not her husband.

He saw her, inside and out. And she knew He wasn’t just an ordinary man.

Her testimony of the love of Jesus (and yes, it’s love when Jesus reveals your sin and your need for a Savior) brought many other people in the town to Christ. Her testimony of love brought others to Jesus.

The full story is found in John 4:1-42.

“So the woman left her water jar and went away into town and said to the people,“Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?” They went out of the town and were coming to him.”

John 4:28-30

Love for Those with Nothing to Offer

Two criminals were hanging next to Jesus when He was crucified. One mocked Him while the other chose to believe in the Savior of the World:

“ But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.”  And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”’

Luke 23:40-43

The criminal hanging on the cross was hours away from death. There was no time for him to do good works. No time for him to prove his devotion. There was only time for him to say yes to the saving grace of Jesus.

He loves you as you are, where you are right now. Even if you should be so much farther along on your journey. Even if you still struggle with sin. Even if you still stumble.

Run, walk, crawl if you have to toward Jesus. And if you don’t have the strength to say His name, reach out for Him, touch the edge of His garment. He will see you, right there, on the ground, and He will pick you up.

Jesus isn’t waiting for some better version of you, He’s just waiting for you.

Make a way to find Him every day. Even if it’s climbing a tree so you can see above the ground (Luke 19-1-10), even if you have to cut a hole in the roof to get to Him (Mark 2:1-12). Find Him. He can be found (Rev 3:20).

Good News for Who?

Growing up I had a much different view of God than I do now. The church I attended was very strict and had opinions on nearly every aspect of life. It seemed the Christian life was governed by rules and more rules. God seemed distant, judgmental, temperamental. I felt like He was a hovering presence, just waiting for me to screw up so He could punish me.

I tried very hard to follow all the rules, to be a “good girl” so God would love me. But new rules I didn’t know about were always popping up and I was a failure all over again. I willfully sinned at times; sometimes because I didn’t understand the repercussions of my actions and sometimes because I just chose to do the wrong thing. And God wasn’t really there. I went to church. I learned about Him. I prayed for Him to save my soul so many times, it’s hard to say which time I was actually “saved”.

I thought I had to get myself together before God would accept me, somehow make myself whole so I could have a relationship with Him.

But I couldn’t. It was like walking through knee-deep snow. Never. Good. Enough. I thought myself a disappointment to God. Like He was watching me, thinking, “If she could just get it together, I’d love to work with her.”

Shame followed me. When I heard God’s call to write, I hesitated…for years. Frozen by fear of being found out, being exposed for all the things I’ve done. It kept me trapped, afraid to move forward.

Even after I believed God forgave me, I couldn’t forgive myself. I revisited my sin over and over, shaming myself for being so stupid, for choosing wrong time after time. All that time wasted. All that good left undone. All the people I’ve hurt along the way.

I couldn’t leave it. I couldn’t let it go. I held the pain of my sin in my heart and let it continue to hurt me long after God said He’d healed me.

But I kept running after Jesus, trying to find Him. Because honestly, I didn’t have any other options. I tried saving myself, being good, chasing perfection. And I failed.

But Love called my name and made me new (2 Cor 5:17).

Religion condemned me to shame. Jesus saved me to freedom.

It’s the reason I cling to the verse:

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Galatians 2:20

The old me is gone. I have been remade, reborn. I am new, clean, worthy.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus calls people blessed that the religious elite viewed as cursed (Matthew 5:1-12).

Blessed are…

Blessed are…

Blessed are those on the bottom, for they will be raised up.

Follow this link for a great teaching on the Sermon on the Mount: Blessed Losers – from The Pulpiteer.

Paul called himself the chief of sinners. He was Kingdom enemy number one (1 Tim 1:15-16). God chose him to spread the Good News throughout the world, not just in his time but in ours.

He held the coats while Stephen was martyred.

He hunted down Christians.

And God chose him, forgave him, used him. Raised him up.

Jesus desires those who know they have nothing to offer. He says in order to follow Him, we must die to ourselves (John 12:24). And no one with anything wants to give up everything.

Only those who are worn consent to be made new.

Only those who are empty need to be filled.

Only those who feel dead want to be made alive.

He leaves the 99 sheep who follow the rules, stay in the herd, and are “good sheep” to chase after, find, and celebrate the one who ran away, got lost; the one who couldn’t find its way back (Luke 15:4-7). He will go after you when you’re lost. He loves you that much (See: A Letter to the Lost).

He will receive you home when you run away, when you squander His wealth and the gifts He’s given you (Luke 15:11-32). Not only will he take you back, He will accept you as His own child and throw you a party like no other.

Good News for who?

Good News – for you, for me, for all of us.

You are forgiven (1 John 1:9).

You are loved (Romans 5:8).

You have a holy inheritance in Christ (1 Peter 1:4).

Have you ever felt like God didn’t love you, like you’re a lost cause? How has God gone after you?

The only people in the Kingdom of God are sinners turned saints by the blood of Jesus. There is no other way to be forgiven than to fall down at the foot of the cross and accept the Good News that salvation is free, and available to all who will accept it.

“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 14:6