He's Mine!

LENT--DAY 27

SCRIPTURE

Joseph, Guardian of Jesus
Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24a (NRSV)

and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called the Messiah.

Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."

When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him;


DEVOTION

Today the Christian Church remembers and honors Joseph the earthly father of Jesus.

Joseph is one of my personal heroes because he was able to push past the expectations of society, the fear of gossip, and the probability of public ridicule to do what God had commanded him to do.

All too often as modern day Christians, we're afraid to stick our necks out for Jesus. We worry about what people will say or think about us. We're afraid to be called "Bible Thumpers" or "Jesus Freaks." We don't share our love for Jesus with our neighbors, friends, and co-workers because we are afraid they will think we are weird.

But, Joseph was different. He laid it all on the line. He was willing to sacrifice public prestige and honor to be obedient to God and to attend to his relationship with Jesus.

Because Joseph was obedient, Jesus came into the world, safe and sound. Because Joseph lived into his calling, Jesus had an earthly father to bounce him on a knee, teach him how to swing a hammer, kiss his neck at bedtime, and protect him from jealous and murderous rulers.

Joseph was heroic and deserves to be remembered and honored!

May we all be as bold as Joseph, as we claim Jesus as our own on this day!


Please pray with me:

Holy God, thank you for Jesus! He came into my life in the most unexpected of ways and it is not always convenient to claim him, but I shall. Please forgive me for those times that I have chosen not to claim him as my own and please fill me with the Holy Spirit so that I will be bold in sharing my love and relationship with Jesus in the future. I love Jesus and I want others to love him too! In Jesus' Name, Amen.