Week 1: Matthew 1-5
Below are the things that struck me as I read through these chapters this week.
-I was taken by the courage Joseph displayed in taking Mary to be his wife. For any of us to say yes to the Lord takes the same courage. Walking by faith is not an easy task. It is the most courageous thing we will ever do.
-At the baptism of Jesus, God’s pronouncement focused singularly on Jesus. John the Baptist wasn’t mentioned, the others baptized that day weren’t mentioned. God was and is pleased with His Son. To be connected or related to the Son is to find pleasure in the sight of God.
-Andrew, Peter, James and John responded immediately to the invitation of Jesus. What did they see in Jesus that day, what was it about Jesus that compelled them to leave everything and follow Him. I wonder, am I seeing what they saw that day?
5 Responses to “Week 1: Matthew 1-5”
Leave a Reply
to join the staff of People to People as we read through the New Testament in a year.
Get your copy of
Meet the Author.
I find it even more profound for Joseph because he
didn’t have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
I have always wondered if I would have been willing to belive Mary if I was Joseph. The man was able to accept that the woman he loved yet had never slept with was now pregnant and her only explination was that it was the son of God growing inside of her. He had to be alot more spiritual then myself. Even today in a time when being pregnant before marrige is much too common there is still a stigma but nothing to what it must have been like back then. Mary also had to be extremly brave approching joseph and other friends
I am a bit late joining as I have today on week 3, So started at week 1 Today!
The 2 responses to week 1 are interesting.
And whilst I agree that Joseph was not indwelt by the Holy Spirit- I must say I believe he was ‘led’ by the Holy Spirit (Vision of angel in dream)and in a step of faith responded.
Certainly believe that it would have been an impossible response for Joseph – without- the Holy Spirit’s leading.
I doubt Joseph even heard of the Holy Spirit. He
was just a normal lost sinner. Sometimes men love
a woman so much they will love enough to forgive
the woman.
You have a point, Clive. He wanted to put her away, at first, but after hearing the angel in a dream, accepted her, anyway. It’s NOT always easy to walk by faith, especially when what God is telling you is going against everything you’ve ever been taught by “leaders”. But then again, God knew what He was doing when He chose whom He chose, eh?
Blessings!