Everything Begins With a Choice

18 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. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 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. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel”
(which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

Matthew 1:18-25 (ESV)

Today is the middle of what is called the Passion Week in some faiths. Spy Wednesday to be exact, called this because of the betrayal of Judas two days prior to the crucifixion. We are just days away from the turning point of all History as we know it; as we prepare to celebrate Easter and all that the resurrection of Jesus means to those who believe. Yet Today I started back at the beginning and a choice that was made by a simple man about the life of the one who would be sacrificed for all of us. Joseph made a choice that allowed for the plan of salvation to be worked for us today. By rights he could have had Mary stoned to death, he could have divorced her leaving her to the life of a harlot but he chose to be obedient to God and he did what was required of Him. The bible says very little about Joseph and it does not record Him being present anywhere during the ministry of Jesus. Yet when in the beginning He was the controlling factor in the life of Jesus. Anyone can create a child, it takes a real man to raise one as their own, and especially when you know they are not your own flesh and blood. Joseph though served God. There is strength to be had when we are obedient to God and His word.

 All things have a beginning and an end. We may not recognize either in our life time but as this week works its way towards Friday I ask you to count the cost and the price that was paid some 2000 years ago on a hillside outside Jerusalem by a son of man and the Son of God, who in obedience to His heavenly father gave all so that you and I could be redeemed.  Do we understand the cost? Would we be willing to go that distance, He has called us to life that is different than the world we live in. Are we set apart from it or are we just like everyone else. Joseph shows us through his obedience what it looks like to be different than all the rest. It begins with a choice and that choice is what will we do with Jesus? Pontius Pilate would have to answer that question during this week in History and so did many others now it is before you; so what will you do with Jesus? Have a truly blessed day as you walk in the light of God’s Word!