Reconciliation.Cafe

This time of year generates hope. As we wait for Christmas, there’s this expectation in the air. We are awaiting Messiah’s arrival to make everything right with the world again. Now I know Jesus already came. He is God with us. But doing this is part of how I celebrate the Christmas season, with a joyful expectancy. It’s this celebration of how faithful He is to complete His promises. And I love it!

I’m reading through scripture, studying and meditating.

“Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.” – Matthew 1:18-25 ESV

I started reflecting on Joseph. As a husband-to-be. As a young man in society. And these are my reflections…

Joseph probably had alot running though his mind before following through with his plan to marry Mary. The news He heard was a literal bomb-drop on his plans for the future. We know how his story ends, but he still has a choice to make in the beginning, and was, by far, not an easy one. Obedience to what God is asking us to do comes with costs.

Sometimes our “yes” could make us look bad.

Be cautious of a “yes” that comes without sacrifice.

We are quick to say “yes” when it is seems easy, or comfortable, or if it lines up with OUR passion or personality.

Joseph said yes to Jesus, knowing the culture could destroy him for it. His soon to be wife Mary, is knocked up. But he “knew her not”. He said yes, knowing if someone found out, the culture would’ve assassinated his character. And hers for that matter. Jesus will most likely show up in a way that offends the culture.

If you choose to say “yes”, it comes with a hefty cost. Are you willing to be an outcast, in a world that worships followers, views, and being seen? Are you willing to be obedient if it means invisibility?

You can’t be a disciple of Jesus Christ and be without sacrifice of yourself. It is impossible. The Bible says this:

“Then Yeshua said to His disciples, “If anyone wants to follow after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭16‬:‭24‬-‭25‬ ‭TLV‬‬

Are you willing to be inconvenienced to serve someone else? Do you feel annoyed when your plans are changed? The choice to follow is wrought with daily decisions to deny yourself, pick up your cross, and well…follow.

Too often our “yes” is conditional or subject to change, or maybe it comes with “black-out dates”. If we don’t see the promise in our time-table, we jump ship and move on to something else that makes us feel better.

Joseph could have chosen to not marry Mary. In that day, being betrothed was a bond a lot stronger than our modern day idea of engagement. There was a divorce process that was well within Joseph’s rights to enact. Under Old Testament law, He could’ve had Mary stoned. At the very least, she would’ve been shamed to no end.

Aren’t we so thankful for Mary and Joseph’s “yes” to the Lord? What an honor! The honor they beheld wasn’t a replacement for the hardships they endured. They understood that saying “yes” to Yahweh would bring suffering, but nothing compared to their love and obedience to Him.

A “yes” to a life of a disciple of Jesus could be a “yes” to unelevated places. To long seasons of hiddenness. Are you willing?

Are you willing to be unseen in this life in exchange for being known by God? Are you willing to forsake your idea of what your life should look like as the cost of truly living life abundantly?

Your life is not your own. Obedience is not the easy choice. But it is the requirement. Saying yes to chase after what God wants, is essentially a death to self on every level.

During this advent season, I encourage you to look for areas in your life that you need to surrender to God. Maybe you need to renew your “yes” to just follow. This is the perfect time of the year for a priority shift. Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, is a good example, and a perfect reflection starting-point this Christmas season.