A Bit Part Player?

 

Do you ever feel invisible, a bit part player in life? People around you have sparkling personalities that make others love them, but you are just there.  Others have amazing stories but your life is ordinary, not terrible, but it feels like you could disappear unnoticed. The world needs people who are faithful, steady, who show up to do what they do every day.  We meet a person like that in the Christmas story. His name? Joseph!

We know next to nothing about him. None of his words are recorded in the Holy Scripture. Matthew tells us he was a ‘righteous man.’ Luke tells us that he took his family regularly to Jerusalem for the holy festivals, a sign of true devotion to the Lord. He was responsive to the Holy Spirit’s revelation that his fiancé was pregnant by God’s will and he made the hard choice to go ahead and marry her in spite of the whispers he knew would follow him around the small town where everybody knew everything. And, he named the baby as God directed calling Him, Jesus.  (Yeshua, which means, God saves)

The fact is that without Joseph the story of Jesus’ birth would be much different. A single mother was a disgrace. An outcast, judged for her ‘sin,’ she would have been poverty stricken, consigned to a miserable life, but for Joseph! His role may seem minor, but he is an indispensable part of God’s plans and purposes for the revelation of Himself in the Person of Jesus, the Savior.  The enduring part of Joseph’s story is his faithfulness and obedience, without recognition, without thanks, in a rather obscure role.

As we move to the celebration of the Savior’s birth and the salvation of the Lord that He brought to the world, let’s pray to be like that man in the shadows, who did his part in the plan of God. When all has been said and done it is God who rewards and in His plan, there are no bit parts. Each of us is gifted to serve and to become an indispensable part of His will.  Paul was inspired to teach that “God’s various gifts are handed out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit. God’s various ministries are carried out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit. God’s various expressions of power are in action everywhere; but God himself is behind it all. Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people!” (1 Corinthians 12, The Message)  What matters most? Faithfulness!

So, as you worship this Christmas, as you look at the creche, and remember the story, take note of that guy in the background and pray, “Father, help me to be faithful to Your plan, right where I am, just as I am.”  In that obedience, we find deep contentment, fulfillment, and ultimately the best words ever –  the Father’s commendation - “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enjoy your Father’s house forever.”

The word from the Word to take with you today is from Matthew’s Gospel. "Now this is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant by the Holy Spirit. Joseph, her fiancé, being a just man, decided to break the engagement quietly, so as not to disgrace her publicly. As he considered this, he fell asleep, and an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to go ahead with your marriage to Mary. For the child within her has been conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All of this happened to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet: “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and he will be called Immanuel (meaning, God is with us).” When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord commanded. He brought Mary home to be his wife, but she remained a virgin until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus." (Matthew 1:18-25, NLT)  Lord, help me to like Joseph. Amen.

(Video of this blog at this link)

______________________

O Come All Ye Faithful

O come all ye faithful
Joyful and triumphant
O come ye O come ye to Bethlehem
Come and behold Him
Born the King of angels

O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
Christ the Lord

Sing choirs of angels
Sing in exultation
O sing all ye bright
Hosts of heav'n above
Glory to God all
Glory in the highest

Yea Lord we greet Thee
Born this happy morning
Jesus to Thee be all glory giv'n
Word of the Father
Now in flesh appearing

C. Frederick Oakeley | John Francis Wade

© Words: Public Domain

 

 

Savior and King!

Americans and independence are like ice cream and apple pie! Our nation was born out of frustration with a monarch that disregarded the needs of his subjects to enrich his empire. The founders were ‘radicals’ of their time, discarding traditions of kings in favor of self-rule.  Those same founders took the threat of tyranny so seriously that they did their best to build checks and balances into the Constitution of our republic, so that no one could govern ‘above the law.’  

Today cynical attitudes towards authority abound in our society.  Many do not trust the police. Pastors feel the rejections of their leadership due to the multiple failures revealed in recent years. We won’t even address the problems that our politicians have created for themselves with self-serving agendas.

 

Christian, have you unconsciously carried an anti-authoritarian attitude into your relationship with the Lord Jesus? Do you question His will and resist His commands? 
(By the way, let’s not confuse the edicts of church dogma with the will of God.
They are not necessarily the same!)

Christ is our King!
The angelic announcement of His birth said: "Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:10-11, KJV)  Lord is a synonym for supreme ruler, i.e., a king.  How we love to sing of the Savior’s love. It is comforting to think of Him as the One who forgives our sins, who welcomes us into the Presence of God. And, these are truly wonderful. He is King of King and Lord of Lords, too. 

Writing to Timothy, Paul reminds him (and us) of the Savior/King identity of Jesus. "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life." (1 Timothy 1:15-16, NIV)  The Savior!  Then, he breaks into this shout of worship - "Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen." (1 Timothy 1:17, NIV)  If you’re where you can do it, read that line loudly, joyfully, declaring to all the world your praise for the King!

It’s comforting to say “I love Jesus,” thinking of the Man we meet in the Gospels. From those pages the mystery of “God Immanuel” (God present in my life) driven home to us. This is more, however, to the revelation of Jesus’ identity. In Revelation, we are told of our King.  Do you know this Jesus? "They (the evil of the world) will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.” (Revelation 17:14, NIV) 

"I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean." (Revelation 19:11-14, NIV)   “O come let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord!”   Those Revelation words strengthen my faith and invite my humility.  He is my Friend, to be sure, and He is the King who triumphs over sin, death, and Hell.  I must serve Him.

 

We need not fear that He will be king like old King George that stirred the revolutionaries of the Americans two centuries ago.  He is a King who loves us, who uses His power benevolently for us. He does not oppress,  He lifts us up. He extends His power to protect us and promises to bring us into His kingdom, under His reign.

 

Is He YOUR King?   Today, I took all my trials, my fears, my foes and gave them to my King.

In humility I confess Him as Lord and Sovereign, praying that my life will be spent in His service. How about you?

As we celebrate Advent, worship the Jesus, our Immanuel here, and do not forget to “Crown Him King!”  

The word from the Word invites our worship - "Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen." (1 Timothy 1:17, NIV

Come to Bethlehem and see
Him whose birth the angels sing.
Come adore on bended knee,
Christ, the Lord, the newborn King!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

 

(Video of this blog at this link)