Mary’s “YES!” – but what about Joseph?

Upon watching the film ‘The Nativity Story’ – I was really struck by the portrayal of Joseph. On the whole we know so little about him from the Gospels that it’s nice to stretch our imaginations sometimes and wonder what he must have been like and the influence he would have had upon Jesus as he was growing up. So, with just under 2 weeks until Christmas, let’s look at the circumstances in which the Son of God entered into the world, but not concentrate so much on the mystery of Christ becoming human, but focusing instead on Joseph – the man God chose to be his Son’s foster-father.

What we know about him is that he was a descendent of David from the southern village of Bethlehem, and that he was a carpenter who at some stage, moved about 80 miles north and plied his trade in Nazareth, a ordinary village in the region of Galilee. There he became engaged to a young woman, Mary. Tradition suggests that he may have been much older than Mary, and probably died before Jesus commenced His public ministry. We do know that he was alive when Jesus went to Jerusalem at the age of 12, and that’s the last mention of him in the gospel. So, meagre facts provide the framework for Joseph’s life.

We can, though, glean a little of his character: He’s described: “as a man who always did what was right” – implying that he lived his life following the Jewish customs and the law. Being engaged to someone was a legal binding contract. Joseph soon learned though that his bride to be was pregnant and the child was not his. There he is in his workshop and Mary says: “Joseph, God’s giving me a baby son, and we’ll call him, Jesus." Did he drop his hammer and stare in disbelief? Did anger and shame rob him of speech? Or did he shout: “He’s no son of mine, I won’t call him anything!” Did he walk away in disgust thinking “How could God do this to me?”

Imagine the gossip; the whispers at the village well. He couldn’t face it. He was a good Jew and wanted to follow the law. The law, by the way, in which he was allowed to publically humiliate Mary. In the film, there a scene where he’s having a nightmare and one of his friends hands him a stone so that he can be the first to throw it at Mary – stoning being her punishment for having committed adultery. It’s more than his mind could handle. No doubt a few sleepless nights followed, as he considered what to do. The Bible doesn’t talk about his broken heart, but I’m sure he was devastated. Nevertheless, the way he planned to quietly get out of the engagement shows he also loved Mary and wanted to spare her any further humiliation. He’d provide for her and send her away, which was allowed by the law.

However, God didn’t think that was such a good idea. And in the midst of that awful decision-making, God stepped in and comes to guide him: "I know this looks bad and feels terrible, but believe it or not, I’m going to bring something heavenly out of it. Can you trust me about this?" Imagine having a dream, where the angel of God calls you by name and confirms all that Mary was saying is true: “Joseph, the baby within Mary is holy. I’ve chosen you to be his father. Don’t be afraid. Go ahead and marry her.” What an outrageous suggestion! However, Joseph accepts the angel’s witness to his virgin bride’s innocence. He’s already shown his compassionate nature, and now he’s displaying an amazing acceptance of wonder and mystery. He didn’t say: “Because I can’t understand it, it’s not possible” and neither did he impose limits on God. We see something about the nature of faith here – being willing to let God be God and not restrict Him to our narrow limits, believing all things are possible.

Let’s not think this was easy. There’s no way to prove the accuracy of dreams ahead of time. So there was risk involved here but this was the decision Joseph made. So with nothing more than Mary’s word and the memories of a dream, Joseph marries a pregnant woman carrying a child which is not his own. Imagine God looking down to choose a man to raise his own son? It’s not easy to entrust your children to someone else, but Joseph had God’s trust. Remember the angel’s words: “She will bring a son to birth, and when she does, you, yes you, Joseph will name him Jesus.” Naming the child was typically the job of the mother, but by stating this, God is allowing Joseph to take full responsibility as Jesus’ legal father – naming him and adopting him into his family tree. But if this adopted baby is God – then when He grows up there’ll be nothing He doesn’t know. Therefore, would Joseph be able to teach Him anything? Carpentry is seldom referred to in the NT, but in those days a carpenter was a professional of high standing in the community, as a builder and an architect in setting up the framework of houses and making furniture. Joseph taught his eldest son to shape and cut timber and accurately taught him the skills needed to carry on the family profession. Through his teaching Jesus turned into a fine carpenter. Although, no one remembered what Jesus made. The Son of God left the trade, His friends and neighbours behind and became a preacher of the Good News of salvation.

We have a little insight into the man Joseph. Once a year he makes an appearance, but it’s time, I think, to bring him out from behind the manger. At the risk of his reputation, he took responsibility and overcame his own fears to follow God. He’s also a model father which is why God entrusted His only Son into his care. Think about this. If Joseph had not provided such a strong example, could Jesus have imagined God as "Abba," father? If Joseph had not loved him so well could Jesus have preached so powerfully about the love of Abba Father God? So, this Christmas time, in a world of harsh realities and difficult choices, let’s not forget that Joseph opted to listen to the voice of his dreams. He was an ordinary man who had enough faith to do what God wanted him to do. "Don’t worry, Mary. We’ll reach Bethlehem soon. God certainly will take care of us. I’m sure there will be a place for us to stay in Bethlehem…"

He gives us hope. For we are reminded to look forward to Christmas Day with great joy, because we have good news that God is drawing near to us in giving us His Son. May we, like Joseph, know and show the love of our Father in heaven, this Christmas and always.

A very busy time indeed…

…Carol service complete. Christingle drafted. Christmas Eve Communion and Christmas Day services to prepare. Communion and Nativity this coming week. School Carol Service later this week. Lots of pastoral visits to make. Elders meeting midweek too. But that’s the nature of ministry!!

Back to the 80s!

Watched the 1980s Jim Henson film “Labyrinth” with my children. They really enjoyed it more than some of the CGI blockbusters they’ve seen recently. We know special FX don’t make a good film. Story is important and although a bit like Alice in Wonderland, this offering is not bad. I don’t think they appreciated the soundtrack though. I quite liked David Bowie’s songs more than his acting I think Ridley Scott’s “Legend” was a far better film, but way too dark and scary. Also what a great soundtrack it had by Tangerine Dream.

Advent Communion

 

We break the bread to remind ourselves that the divine became human and the immortal, invisible, mortal and visible. That Jesus had a real, tangible body that grew up to be nailed to the cross. The wine to recall that the baby was born in blood and then His blood which was shed for us all on the cross: “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” (Eph.1:7).

Advent is a time of preparation…

…of getting ready to celebrate the birth of Jesus all those thousands of years ago, but by tradition on this first Sunday in Advent – instead of looking back – we look forward. That’s what we’ve prayed for. That’s the Gospel message we’ve listened to this AM. Jesus uses the picture of a man going on a journey and leaving His servants in charge. The servants know that their master will return, but they don’t know when. So they always need to be ready. As we need to be; keeping alert, in fear and reverence, for the Son of Man’s future arrival among us: "Our glad hosanna’s Prince of Peace, thy welcome shall proclaim!" As John Calvin said: "Servants must hunger after Christ until the dawning of that great day when our Lord will fully manifest the glory of His Kingdom".

Are we hungry for Christ? For the Bible has over 1,800 verses which speak of the inevitability of His coming again. Some people takes this passage to mean that the 2nd Coming is imminent. They identify current events with the various troubles mentioned in the reading and say that we’re in the "last days". Certain religious groups often interpret Biblical prophecy in this way. Many churches grew rapidly in the 1800s fuelled by one speculation after another over the exact day and year when Jesus would return. American preacher William Miller proclaimed in 1844 that the date would be October 22nd. As that AM dawned a sense of fear fell over New England. People gathered on mountaintops and in churches. Normal activities ceased as everyone waited for the rending of the skies. But the day passed uneventfully, Christians grew disillusioned and the unsaved became cynical. June 21st 1982 and September 13th 2007 were also dates used by fundamentalist cult leaders to predict the end times. It’s been going on throughout Christian history and no doubt it will continue always leading to great disappointment, as surely we must take seriously the warning of Jesus that: "No one knows the day or hour. Not even angels, only the Father knows: So be on your guard" (Mk.13:32-33).

We have ears. So, we need to listen and understand that this passage is unfulfilled prophecy (the events it describes will occur), but it also offers pragmatic guidance for the present. That same guidance, from God’s Word, has been offered to every generation. Starting with Jesus’ own disciples who heard this teaching first hand.

Andrew, the patron Saint of Scotland, who is celebrated tomorrow, was no exception. He’d been waiting for the Messiah. He followed John the Baptist thinking first he was the Chosen One. That was until he recognised Jesus as his Saviour. Tradition and legends surround his life. He’s connected with Malta, Romania and Scotland. He was almost certainly martyred for his faith (on a diagonal cross which is the origin, as all good Caledonians know, of the saltaire, the Scottish flag), as the early church was terribly persecuted. To Andrew, post-resurrection – it would have seemed to him that he was definitely living in the "end times". Jesus was going to come back before he died. He used the fig tree as an illustration. He told the disciples that: "This generation would not pass away until all these things had taken place" (13:30). Clearly, Andrew’s generation had died out and he died before Jesus returned. So have subsequent generations which is why, in the text, the word "generation" means, I suggest, the lifespan of the entire human race. It’s therefore applicable for every era of this world’s history however long that still has to run. No one knows the day or hour.

The lesson from the fig tree and the watchful servants, in terms of our present experience, reminds us that we’re not just looking for something to happen, we’re looking for Someone to come! The Advent season should make us more aware of this future prediction. It was John Wesley who said, "The Spirit in the heart of the true believer says with earnest desire, Come, Lord Jesus."

Long ago, the Bible’s prophets, inspired by the Holy Spirit, predicted that God in time, God in man, born of woman, would come. For us today, it’s important to remember that Jesus who has come is also the Jesus who will come, but we can’t predict the future:-

· Thomas Watson the chairman of IBM, in 1943, predicted, "I think there is a world market for maybe five computers."

· Lord Kelvin, president of the Royal Society, said in 1895, "Heavier-than-air flying machines are impossible."

· In 1962 Decca Records rejected the Beatles predicting that, "Guitar music was on the way out."

If only they got it right! We can long-range forecast the weather, but we can’t forecast the future. When Andrew heard Jesus say to him, "Come and I will make you a fisher of men" – he didn’t know what that future with Jesus would mean. Despite the highs and the lows, he certainly wouldn’t have predicted it would end with crucifixion; both for his master and for himself. He’d been waiting a long time for the Messiah. Then he arrived. We’ve been waiting a long time for the Son of Man to come again. When will that be? We don’t know. But Jesus promises that He will come again.We should look forward to that glorious time, not just while we’re waiting for Christmas, but every day, because it’s our future hope.

Yet, the Lord does not wait until the end of the world, or even until our death, in order to come for us. He’s on His way to you, to me, to us all, in all circumstances of our lives. We don’t have a distant God sitting on a distant throne waiting for some future time when He will act. He’s ever present and has never left us. Often we’re too caught up with ourselves: being too concerned with our joys and sorrows, our hurts and desires, our failing and achievements. These many loom large for us, but in concentrating on them we may find ourselves, albeit unintentionally, neglecting Jesus Christ who does come in the present, often in unexpected ways; not least in nature, in other people and especially in His written Word.

I always hesitate to ask stop and ask people for directions. I rely on my sat-nav too much perhaps. However, God has given us clear, concise directions that lead us to eternal life. If we listen and believe, God will lead us to our eternal home. The Bible tells us that the way is through Jesus Christ.

We can’t see the future. The way will not always be smooth. We’re sure to encounter bumps, perhaps even go through dark valleys, but ultimately following Christ, who has come in the past and who will come in the future, will lead us home.

Like the fig tree, there will be definite signs of the beginning of the end. Whether they come in our time, or are for future generations, we should keep awake, as we might Jesus saying to us: "Where were you when I arrived? The door was standing wide open, no lights on anywhere. I thought I told you to watch out for me."

So as we begin our Advent journey with hope in our hearts, looking back and looking forward, listen to the Christmas story once again, worship Jesus Christ, praise Him, serve Him and love Him. For only when we do these things we will be true servants, fully prepared, no matter when He comes.

We will meet Jesus. That’s something we can predict. The question is: are we ready?

Ding Dong Merrily On High!

A sneak peak at this year’s carol service…

Carol Service Order of Service

Windows 7 on my netbook

Installed 32-bit OS and it runs so well. The Windows Live Writer is excellent (just updated my blog using it). At the moment I can dual boot into Ubuntu (another good OS) – but I’m becoming a big fan of Microsoft’s latest.

Cross Purposes

So we come to the end of one Christian year and begin to start a new one. We’ll soon be in the happy season of Advent (technically starts next week) which means coming, or arrival. It’s a time for celebrating. It was at the first Advent, thousands of years ago, when the whole world went from darkness to light.

Today is Christ the King Sunday. We celebrate His divine light bursting into the world and exposing the darkness. But not everyone now, and not everyone back then, except a handful of shepherds and few travellers from a distant land, come to see God’s glory which was birthed in Jesus Christ who came to bring the Light of Life to all people.

It’s has something to do with the fact that Jesus was not like an ordinary king: He had:- No army; no gold or silver; no royal robes; no throne; no palace. He was born in poverty. He died in poverty. The only crown He ever wore was one made of thorns. Because He didn’t act like a king some people had Him killed. 33 years after the Light came into the world, it was snuffed out – as Jesus died on the cross.

Strange that in different places, or in different times things can have totally different meanings. The cross was an instrument of torture. But the symbol today has a huge number of meanings:- An incorrect answer; a kiss at the bottom of a letter; a mark on a voting slip; an addition sign. It’s essential to know which one is meant to avoid confusion. When England lost an ill-fated WC match against Brazil (1970?) the front page of one newspaper had the picture of the cross of St George (national flag) with the words: "This page is cancelled. Nothing else matters!" However key that match was to English football supporters, to say that nothing else matters was rather an exaggeration!

Interesting that at this time of year, to many people, nothing else matters apart from late night shopping and extravagant spending. As we prepare to celebrate Christmas many will be "lost in darkness" – buried under tinsel, turkey, and price tags – as nothing else matters. But as the earth has already seen God’s glory surely something else matters? Surely the King of kings ended up on the cross because something mattered?

It absolutely did. Jesus was both the King of Sacrifice and the King of Victory over the grave. His story didn’t end on the cross. The light went out for a few hours, but it’s far more powerful now. Why? Because he rose again and our sins were cancelled. A moment of such divine forgiveness that’s too important to ignore – as it really does matter from now to eternity. Therefore, we’ve got to decide whether Jesus’ cross matters – or not. We’ve got to make up our own minds whether we want to be "children of light".

For Christians, Advent is a time for reflection, amazement and wonder. The countdown to Christmas has already begun. When we come together in worship and sing carols on the green our collective faith will shine like a city on a hill that cannot be hidden. And those lost in darkness will be drawn to the light. Jesus Christ is King Eternal. The beginning and the end. He was born in order to die. Don’t forget this essential truth. Enjoy the Christmas lights. Even more importantly look at the cross as it shines in the darkness. For it is an empty cross which reminds us of Jesus’ promise that one day, throughout the world, all shall worship Him as Saviour of the world.

Let’s pray:-

We thank you, God our Father, for sending Jesus to save us. Make us ready to receive Him and to offer Him the best gifts we have in thankfulness for all He gave us. AMEN.

Oh Joy – The Election of Elders

Yes it’s that time of year when according to our church’s constitution when those who have served for six years need to stand down and those who have served three years are eligible for re-election. So ballot papers and nomination forms posted.

However,  due to the democratic “bottom-up” ecclesiology of the Reformed tradition it’s extremely difficult to be Scriptural. The Church should be Theocratic rather than democratic. Elders should be chosen by God not the congregation. Several new elders have been nominated – but at the AGM those present will vote. We will commit the issue to the Lord in prayer, asking for His discernment, but in the end it will be a democratic decision. There will be no testimonies and very little spiritual preparation on behalf of the candidates. There is no probation or testing period for elders either to see if their calling is true. And, of course, it won’t be just men who’ll be elected.

It’s never too late to return to true Biblical Eldership – the problem is I probably wouldn’t have any elders! Perhaps we need to un-ordained deacons instead.

Bird’s Eye View of Manse

 

 

 

 

<— It’s the one next to the white van!