(There are nails that have built mansions, that have fallen to the wind. There are nails that have built fortresses, that through the wars have caved in. But these nails that you are piercing through the hands of the Lord. Lead to a kingdom that will live forever more. Oh you better get some extra nails for Christ’s Cross, for the burden of mankind in going up there with Him.) Lyrics from the song "Nails" from the Christian band "Believer"
I often wonder what Joseph thought of sometimes. I mean to raise the Son Of God probably wasn't the easiest job to be assigned by the Father in Heaven. I wonder if he, (Joseph) ever looked at the ten year old Jesus in the carpentry shop and thought to himself that I am building a new kitchen table with the Creator of the Universe today. Or that I have to discipline tonight the one who knows all about everything. I could only imagine that there had to be some doubt at times of whose kid he was really raising. Why? Because Joseph, was only a man. And men, well they worry a lot about their families. Doubt a lot when times get hard. And Fear a lot when uncertainty hits them from the blind side. The Bible doesn't say much about the man who was chosen to raise the young Jesus. It does say though that he was obedient. When Herod was out to kill all the male children under the age of two in Bethlehem. An Angel of the Lord woke Joseph up in the middle of the night and said it was time to take the family to Egypt, where it would be safe for his new found family. (Matthew 2:13-23 ) Joseph did as requested without any hesitation. There was no problem here or I guess we would have read about it in God's Word. I mean the Angel could have woke up Mary first. But no, he chose or was instructed to go to Joseph first to get the family headed towards the place where God's children were first delivered from. Did you ever think about that? Of all the places the Lord could have sent the First Family to be safe. God sends them to a place of the good old Red Sea incident. A place where the Children of God, the Israelites, were delivered from many moons before. It is amazing to consider the reconciliation power of God. I mean really, did you ever think that Moses ever said to his brother Aaron during one of the ten plagues that this is the place where Almighty God is going to bring the King of the Jews to be safe a few days after he is born into this world? Think about that, really think about it! We could have read in the Bible that Jesus was taken to Jerusalem, that's a good place, right? We could read that they went back home to Nazareth. That's not too hard to swallow, right? But Egypt? I guess, what is impossible for man is truly possible with God. Thank God His ways our not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts.( Isaiah 55:8 ) As I write this chapter tonight, I can't help but believe that there is a reason that the Father In Heaven didn't write to much about the Jewish carpenter named Joseph. One of the reasons I believe is because of what Satan has accomplished with the mother Mary. I mean all the Idol worship and undue attention Jesus’ mother has gotten over the years. Well that in itself has served as enough of a distraction from the Lord Jesus. Now, I don't want to get anyone to mad at me, and begin calling me a mother basher. But the truth is mother Mary gets a lot of undeserved attention. Could you imagine what the main male figure in Christ's life would have received if he was publicized a little more in the Bible. The Devil would have a field day with that one. I mean anything to get people's eyes and hearts off the risen Lord Jesus Christ. Let’s see, just to make my point here let us visit some of these diversions. Okay, you with me my friends? Lets go.!! There is Mother Nature, another way to displace Father God. There is the Easter Bunny another way to distract the un-saved from the resurrection of Jesus Christ. And of course there is Santa Clause. You know that fat and jolly character in the red suit who brings gifts to every boy and girl in the world in just one night. I mean not even UPS if they paid everyone of their employees triple over time could accomplish such a heroic feat. You get my point here.! All of these people or characters have one purpose. To take the focus of what Jesus Christ has done for us. A little deception, a little diversion of attention and boom we are thinking of what gifts we are going to receive or how many jelly beans or chocolate bunnies we can stuff down our throats before we explode. Instead of focusing on why we really should be celebrating all these holidays. And who we truly should be giving all the Glory to during all these times. The Father in Heaven and great Lord Jesus Christ.! Isn't there enough idol worship in the world? I thank God that He didn't bring Joseph into the mix more than He did. Thank God we don't have statues of Jesus’ earthly father to pray to. I mean Christ says to us. "I am the way, the truth and thelife. And no one gets to the Father in Heaven but by me." ( John 14:6) It doesn't mention any where in the Bible to ask His mother or uncles or other saints for help. All man made ideas and customs. All I can say that they break my heart. Now that God has revealed this truth to me; anything to keep our focus off of Jesus, anything to try and deceive that the Word of God is not true, anything, to lead people astray. That, my friends, is the Devil's purpose. "To steal, kill, and destroy."( John 10:10 ) that is what the Bible says is Satan's job description. I hope this chapter enlightens you a little more. I hope you really celebrate the true meaning of the above mentioned holidays and give God the glory and honor that Jesus Christ deserves. Maybe you will dedicate your Christmas tree and dedicate it to Jesus this upcoming year. Maybe you will get Him a birthday cake with his name on it and have your children sing to the Lord happy birthday as they blow out the candles in honor of Christ's birth. Or maybe you will look at the cross that might hang on your wall or around your neck this Easter and thank God that he died for your sins on one that was much more rough and cruel, over 2000 years ago. Or maybe this Father's day you will write the great Father in Heaven a letter telling Him how much you love him. You know my friends, isn't it time that we start realizing and acknowledging what these times and moments are truly about? Well, what they are supposed to be about, God!! I will leave you with this thought; I wonder if a six year old boy named Jesus ever went into his Father's carpentry shop after a long day of work and helped his earthly dad, Joseph, clean up. I wonder if He ever picked up some nails off the ground and thought to himself that one day these small pieces of iron and metal would pierce His own hands and feet and hang Him upon a cross. So that people would have a way to be forgiven for the sins by the Father in Heaven. I wonder also if Joseph ever fell to his knees agonizing over knowing what his young ‘God boy’ was thinking or maybe saying, as he softly caressed his six year old face saying,” It is not time my son,not yet, it is not yet time.” As they both then walked inside hand in hand to get ready for dinner and spend some quality time together as a family. Imagine if that was your six year old boy growing up to be hung upon that tree at Calvary. God must really love us. He must truly, truly love us. To send his very best in Jesus Christ!!! Just something to think about my friends. Just something to think about.!! God Bless You, Al
There was no problem here or I guess we would have read about it in God's Word. I mean the Angel could have woke up Mary first. But no, he chose or was instructed to go to Joseph first to get the family headed towards the place where God's children were first delivered from. Did you ever think about that? Of all the places the Lord could have sent the First Family to be safe. God sends them to a place of the good old