There is one scene that is often seen during Christmas – the scene of the manger, with two adults standing by and a baby lying in the manger. We see that put up in many shopping malls, printed on Christmas cards.
When we look at Joseph and Mary, what do we see? We see two very obedient people. This scene was possible only because they both obeyed God and submitted to His plan. They both received very difficult messages, and were told to take on very heavy responsibilities. It wasn’t easy, but they did it.
So now when we look at this scene, we need to really appreciate them. Thank God they were obedient.
It wasn’t easy for Joseph. Mary was found to have a child before they were married. We wonder, what did Mary say to Joseph? How did she explain it? It won’t be easy for both of them. Joseph was sensitive. He planned to keep it quiet, and did not want to expose Mary to disgrace.
The Lord spoke to him through the angel in his dream. He has to learn to trust God and His message. It was a big decision. Who did he discuss this with, his family or his friends? Will they trust him? God spoke only to him. No one else would understand. Joseph has to make this decision all by himself.
Sometimes, the deepest decisions of our lives will be made just within ourselves. God has spoken, and you are to obey. It has nothing to do with others. They can’t help nor do they understand. When God speaks to you, you are given a choice - to obey or not to obey, to trust Him or not to trust Him. And the choice is yours. Only you can make it.
Do you really believe God? Do you trust His Word? No one can help you on that. Parents can encourage you but they cannot give you faith. Friends can listen but they cannot make the choice for you.
We thank God. Joseph made his choice. The Bible says, “When he woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him….” (1:24) God knew He could trust Joseph, and He gave him this enormous responsibility. The Bible describes him in v.19 as a ‘righteous’ man, a devout man, one who honours God. Paul used this word in Rom 1:17, “The righteous will live by faith.”
So Joseph married Mary. She gave birth to a son and Joseph named Him Jesus. By chapter 2 of Matthew’s gospel, the child has grown up and now close to two years old. When King Herod heard that this so-called ‘prince’ was born, he felt threatened and issued an edict that all the children under the age of two were to be slaughtered.
Again God guided Joseph. Before it happened, God gave him instruction to leave that place.
Let’s read Matt 2:13-15. Going to Egypt? Why Egypt? Joseph would have known about the history of his people and why they have left Egypt – his people suffered as slaves there for over 140 years. It was a terrifying place. But again, he trusted God’s Word and obeyed. The Bible says, “He got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt.” (1:14)
Joseph not only obeyed, he obeyed right away. He got up in the middle of the night. Thomas a Kempis: “Instant obedience is the only kind of obedience there is; delayed obedience is disobedience.”
Joseph did not doubt what God said or question His wisdom. He acted immediately on what he was told, just as he did earlier on when he was asked to take Mary as his wife (1:24).
It looks easy, but this obedience wasn’t really simple. It takes great faith in God. Joseph’s life has been suddenly changed over the last few years. Firstly, Mary was found with child before marriage, the child was to be someone very unique, not an ordinary child, and now Herod wanted to kill his child, and he has to been on the run, to a strange land Egypt.
And as the three of them left from Bethlehem, they must have wondered about their future. The angel said, “Stay there until I tell you…” (2:13) – how long would they be in Egypt? How would they survive? Could he find work? Where would they live?
They didn’t have answers to these pressing questions and serious concerns. Nevertheless, Joseph did immediately and exactly as the Lord instructed in his dream. Imagine the faith this required. Can you trust God this way today? When God leads us, He doesn’t always tell us the whole picture. We want to know everything before we make a move. But God leads us day to day, moment by moment.
We would be mistaken to think that knowing God means life would be easy. Or that the easy way is always God’s way. Jesus said in Matt 7:13-14 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
God’s will may lead us through some difficult and narrow path, but it is the blessed path. It is not a matter of whether your life journey is smooth and problem-free. You can have a comfortable life but living in disobedience and outside of His blessings.
Joseph and Mary had a difficult journey, but when we look at them today, we know they are greatly blessed. They found His grace and protection.
Let’s read the next 2 verses – Matt 2:19-20. God kept His promise – when the time was right for them to return, He appeared again to Joseph. 2:21 “So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel.”
Naturally he thought of returning to Bethlehem, but the Lord guided him again (v.22) and told him to go to Nazareth, which he did.
Joseph trusted God. He was sensitive to what the Lord has to say. He believed God and obeyed Him. We all need to be like that today.
The hymn ‘Trust and Obey’ (Hymn 210) says, “When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word, what a glory He sheds on our way! While we do His goodwill, He abides with us still, and with all who will trust and obey. Trust and obey, for there is no other way; to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.”
Wonderful things happen in the Christian life when we are willing to say, “Lord, what do You want me to do? How do You want me to do it? I trust You, Lord.”
God doesn’t always tell us the whole plan, but He expects our obedience. Like Joseph, we can, by faith, fulfil His purpose by responding to His Word and learning to obey.
Learn to accept God’s will whatever it may be. God is still looking for people like Joseph - people who will obey Him, whatever the cost; people who will trust Him, even though the outcome seems unsure.
Think for a moment about Jesus, as we celebrate Christmas. Let’s remember the One whose obedience was perfect. Even He, who is perfect, subjected Himself to the will of His Father in Heaven.
He humbled Himself despite the fact that He bore no sin and rightfully should have placed Himself above all creation. He is committed to finishing God’s work, even though that work was painful and the path was fearful. Aren’t we grateful that Jesus was obedient to God? Can we not celebrate Christmas?
Dear friends, today you need to welcome Jesus, not only into this world, but into your life as Lord and Saviour.
It reminds me of this story:
At Christmas time, the children in a church would put up a simple Christmas skit. This boy Willy was a slow learner and everyone was wondering what role the teacher would assign him. Perhaps he could help pull the curtain. Or act as one of the sheep. But to everyone surprise, the teacher gave him the role of the innkeeper.
The boy was very happy. All he had to learn was one line: “There is no room in the inn.” He memorised it and practice it again and again.
The big day arrived. The curtain opened on scene one. Mary and Joseph entered the stage and walked up to the inn. "Please sir, my wife is not well. Could we have a room for the night?”
Willy was ready for his line. He had rehearsed it all night. He began, “There is…” and he hesitated. Joseph was pleading, “Please, please, give us a place to stay.”
Willy was feeling confused. He felt sad for Joseph and Mary, and as they were about to leave, he cried out: “Alright, come in, come in. You can stay with me!”
This is just a Christmas skit. But in reality, we really need to ask ourselves, is there room in your life for Jesus this Christmas? Would you invite Him into your life today?
Dear Christians, there is one act of obedience we can do today - tell someone about the Christ of Christmas. Go back; think of a friend or two. Write a Christmas card to them. Invite them to church. We owe it to Jesus. Let’s obey Him with all our heart.
One step forward in obedience is worth years of talking or studying about it. True blessings come through obedience. Don’t deprive ourselves of that.
