When making a commitment to life, what risks are involved?
Being mortal, it's a little difficult to know what the future actually holds.
Risking for the larger story. Few people who have not risked have had a meaningful life. It seems to be an integral part of faith - to risk for the purposes of God.
The scripture is replete with those who have risked for God - Abraham, Isaac, Ruth, Esther, Jeremiah.
In our lesson for this Sunday, we look at another person who risked for God, from the book of Matthew, Joseph. The earthly father of Jesus. Just another young Jewish man for most in his day and time who by tradition was a woodworker. Young Joseph found himself in a social and familial dilemma when Mary his betrothed appears to be pregnant, through no apparent doing of his own. What to do?
How does Joseph respond to the risk to his and Mary's dilemma? How is that related to faith in our lives?
Matthew 1:18-25
1:18 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.
1:19 Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly.
1:20 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.
1:21 She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."
1:22 All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:
1:23 "Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel," which means, "God is with us."
1:24 When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife,
1:25 but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.
Walter Morton for Journey Across the Line
Life is insane,challenging, risky and at times painful. But it can also be beautiful, wondrous and a blessed miracle. Everything we do has some level of risk and sometimes a few nasty consequences attached. However, through God’s grace and our faith in Him and His promises, we can move forward with confidence. We should not ignore danger , engaging in risky behavior, but God doesn’t want us to cocoon ourselves in a safe room or bubble , hiding away from the world we live in. He wants us to trust Him and know He is with us. I’m extremely thankful to have several legions of angels following me around and I’m firmly committed to not testing them or God by playing in the freeway, jumping out of a perfectly safe airplane or refusing anything chocolate. I’m also not interested in starring in the latest “Stupid Human” video posted on Youtube or auditioning for the next reality show, so the world is safe. It’s difficult to understand the profound risks and challenges endured by both Joseph and Mary and without understanding the philosophical,religious and socioeconomics of their dispensation it seems impossible to fully grasp and appreciate the intensity of their experiences….After all, Jesus was no mere human baby. Joseph and Mary were chosen to parent THE Christ-- God’s only Son-- the Savior of the world. But, no pressure, right? Yep, there are some things even Drs. Spock, Phil , Ruth and Laura can’t touch! As I reflect on the awesome miracle of the Christ’s Birth and the seemingly overwhelming responsibilities of Joseph and Mary, I wish you all a happy , healthy, safe and peaceful Christmas and New Year!
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