Light of the WorldSample

When Christ came into this world, he did so in the same way we all do, as an infant in need of love, care, and attention. God placed his son into a home with an earthly father, Joseph, to be a light into his son’s life while Jesus grew into the man that would become a light for us all.

What kind of person must Joseph have been for God to choose him for this honor and responsibility? In today’s reading, he was faced with what had to be, for him personally, a very painful and difficult situation. The woman that he was committed to, the woman that he was soon to be married to, is with child and he knows that he is not the father. We can learn something about the man he was through the way he responds to this messy situation.

For one, he must have been a fairly calm person. When he learns that his betrothed is pregnant, he doesn’t fly off the handle. The Bible says that he made a plan. (See also James 1:19-20)

He was also honorable and kind. The plan that he made was to divorce Mary quietly. Even though he didn’t see a way to go on with the marriage, he covered Mary. His heart was to protect her from as much shame as he could.

He was faithful. When everything was unraveling and his life was taking a turn that he didn’t expect, Joseph listened to God and lived his life according to God's will. He stayed with Mary and married her. He waited for Jesus to be born. He named him according to God’s will. He took a difficult situation, gave it to God, and then followed His will without hesitation.

Question:
When life throws you a curveball, do you shy away from the plate or do you step up and swing? Do you seek God’s will or do you seek the comfortable route?

Application:
Joseph lived his life in full submission to God in every area. Take some time to pray through the different relationships and situations in your life that might feel hard right now. Ask God for perspective and guidance on each one and try to live out His will for those situations.