4 DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of Joseph Johns Gospel 1:45 Joseph was charged by God to provide and protect both Jesus and Mary. Joseph had four encounters with the angel of God, first to marry Mary who was pregnant miraculously as a virgin. The Gospel of Matthew plainly states that Joseph did not have marital relations UNTIL (the word in the original) Jesus was already born. Gods word teaches that the marriage bed is undefiled Heb. 13:4. Having children and raising them is a great calling in the Bible and not lesser than celibacy. Most of the Apostles were married 1 Cor. 9: 5. Jesus did not marry for obvious reasons and Paul may have lost his wife after he broke with the enemies of Jesus, because as a member of the ruling Jewish class he was required to be married. After his conversion he was a marked man and had forty zealots who dedicated their lives to capture him and kill him. Pauls life was always in danger. Yet it was Paul who instructed churches to pick Bishops or Elders who were married and had children, so they would know the realities of dealing with all kinds of people. Ignoring this teaching in the books of Titus and First Timothy has cause the church much pain, suffering, guilt, shame, hard earned donated money and ruined the lives of thousands who were not instructed on married life properly. I speak as a person who has been close to this tradition as well as to the Biblical model given by God. Josephs second visionary dream was a warning to leave Bethlehem and head for Egypt. The third dream was to return to Israel to settle in Nazareth and the final dream Joseph has recorded was to keep away from Bethlehem as Herods son still posed a threat. Yes it was Joseph who protected Jesus from the day He was born until He began His manhood, which in Jewish tradition is between the ages of 12 and 13. Joseph was Gods man and I think we can say he did a great job. Finally, my friends. The Apostles repeatedly labeled all believers saints. The word saint is Hagios or holy ones refers to all who have believed. ... when He (Jesus) comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed—for our testimony to you was believed.. All believers are born again of God and have been sealed by the Holy Spirit. When God looks upon His born again children He sees us as holy ones in our new nature. The Son of Joseph the scriptures say, came to save us from our sins.
Posted on: Sun, 21 Dec 2014 14:33:27 +0000
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