Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Joseph, a Father's Strong Faith

            Perhaps Joseph is the most overlooked and under-appreciated of all the persons in the Christmas story.  Yet, he played a pivotal role at that first Christmas.  So, in my message this week, I intend to focus on Joseph and what he can teach us about Christian faith and discipleship. 

            My reflections are based upon Matthew 1: 18-25.  As Matthew begins his story of Jesus’ birth, we learn that Joseph and Mary were already engaged to be married, but Joseph has recently discovered that Mary is pregnant.  According to Jewish law, an engagement was considered a legally binding arrangement, in which the couple were essentially already married.  As a result, Mary’s pregnancy could be considered as evidence of adultery and Joseph had the legal right to divorce her. 

In Jewish culture at the time, Mary could have been subjected to severe legal penalty that would have been publicly humiliating for her and her family.  But, Joseph was a caring person, who sought to be faithful to God.  So, rather than pursuing his legal rights in a public way that would humiliate Mary and embarrass her family, Joseph decided to end their relationship, quietly. 

At this point, God intercedes, using an angel to speak to Joseph in a dream.  The angel explains that Mary’s child was conceived through the Holy Spirit and that the baby is, in fact, the long-awaited Messiah.  Then, the angel asks Joseph to accept the baby and adopt him as a son.  Since Joseph is a descendent of King David, his adoption of Jesus enables many of the ancient Hebrew prophecies concerning the Messiah to be fulfilled because these prophecies had claimed that the Messiah would be “of the house and lineage” of David.  When Joseph awoke from his dream, he did exactly as God had instructed.

During my proclamation this coming weekend (December 21st and 22nd), I will focus on several key characteristics which Joseph had.

1.      Generosity.  At first, it appears that Mary has been unfaithful and Joseph has a legal right to extract his revenge in a way that will humiliate her.  Instead of following up on this legal right, however, Joseph exhibits profound generosity, as he seeks a quieter, less confrontational resolution to the dilemma.

2.      Protective Care.  Joseph exhibits a protective care in several different ways.  First, his decision to avoid publicly exposing Mary is not only generous, but it also demonstrates his desire to provide protective care, even for a woman who has betrayed him.  Secondly, we know that Joseph cared for Mary during their long, difficult journey to Bethlehem before Jesus’ birth.  Finally, Joseph cared for the boy, Jesus, just as any loving father would.

3.      Strong Faith.  Joseph exhibits a strong faith when he trusts the angel’s rather incredible explanation that Mary has not been unfaithful, but is rather carrying the long-awaited Messiah. 

4.      Obedience.  Joseph is obedient to God.  He follows though and marries Mary.  Joseph also adopts Jesus, welcoming him into his household and caring for Jesus as though he were Joseph’s own biological son.

I believe that each of Joseph’s four characteristics are important qualities for twenty-first century Christians to nurture in our lives.  During my sermon this weekend, I will discuss and illustrate how we can nurture these qualities in our own faith journeys.

 
              If you live in the Meriden-area and do not have a regular church home, please consider attending this weekend as we reflect on Joseph’s strong faith.  At Meriden United Methodist Church, we have two worship services each weekend:

Ø  Our contemporary service starts at 6 pm on Saturday evenings.
Ø  Our classic service starts on at 10 am on Sunday mornings.

I also encourage you to celebrate Christmas with us next week.  We will have two special Christmas services: 
Monday, December 23rd at 6 pm
A Special Children's Christmas Eve Service,
featuring a Special Children’s Christmas Story that I have written for the children of the church

Tuesday, December 24th at 7 pm
Adult Christmas Eve Candlelight Service,
featuring lessons and carols,
During the service, we will also celebrate the Moravian tradition of a Love Feast,
as we share sweet buns and spiced tea in the pews as part of the service

Everyone is always welcome and accepted at
Meriden United Methodist Church because God loves us all.

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