Today we will look at two of the Lectionary scriptures. In the first we read part of the birth narrative and in the second Paul reflects on the meaning of the event, just who it was that was born on Christmas day.
Matthew’s gospel is Joseph’s story and Luke’s gospel gives us Mary’s story – two perspectives on the birth of Christ. Both are wonderful examples of faith; making a spiritual journey filled with surprises (good and bad) and both of them finding the dominating presence of God’s Holy Spirit in this world changing event. Today we will look at Joseph’s story:
Matthew 1:18-19 The birth of Jesus took place like this. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. Before they came to the marriage bed, Joseph discovered she was pregnant. (It was by the Holy Spirit, but he didn't know that.) Joseph, chagrined but noble, determined to take care of things quietly so Mary would not be disgraced.
20-23While he was trying to figure a way out, he had a dream. God's angel spoke in the dream: "Joseph, son of David, don't hesitate to get married. Mary's pregnancy is Spirit-conceived. God's Holy Spirit has made her pregnant. She will bring a son to birth, and when she does, you, Joseph, will name him Jesus—'God saves'—because he will save his people from their sins." This would bring the prophet's embryonic sermon to full term: Watch for this—a virgin will get pregnant and bear a son; They will name him Immanuel (Hebrew for "God is with us").
24-25Then Joseph woke up. He did exactly what God's angel commanded in the dream: He married Mary. But he did not consummate the marriage until she had the baby. He named the baby Jesus.
It can be easy to flow through this story and miss just how significantly Joseph’s life was put into great turmoil by Mary’s pregnancy. Please consider some of the following as you reflect on the story:
· How do you imagine the conversation went when Mary came to Joseph with the news that she was pregnant? What might she have told him about the conception and how might he have responded?
· What is your impression of Joseph both from a human and spiritual standpoint? How big a deal was it for Mary to be pregnant (there are contemporary parallels in the threat of death by stoning in Iran of a woman accused of adultery)? How important was the first born son to a family in these patriarchal times? What does it say about his feelings for her that he made the choice to help her cover up the pregnancy?
· Joseph met the Spirit in the same way as so many do in scripture – in a dream. We all have dreams we quickly forget or write off, why do you think that he found credibility in this one? What natural and cultural pressures would he have to overcome to respond to his dream? What does it say about him that he did?
· Have you ever prayerfully sought the answer to some major dilemma in your life? In what way did insight come to you? Was it in the form of a dream, sudden inspiration, or the words of others? What compelled you to act in the way in which you chose to attempt to resolve the issue?
· The prophesy about a virgin giving birth comes from Isaiah 7 and is identified by the very early Christians as a prophesy fulfilled by Jesus’ birth. Some have questioned whether Isaiah was really speaking about a virgin birth but that something for another time. What are some reasons that the nature of Jesus’ conception is very important to many believers? Is it important to you?
· One of the Advent season’s characteristics is the very visible secular/commercial tone it has taken on. Joseph had to deal with all kinds of cultural and personal pressures and yet heard the call of God’s Spirit. What helps you find the same Spirit in the midst of our culture? Are there traditions or events that help you find meaning and spiritual encouragement?
Paul has provided us with a reminder which helps put Jesus’ birth narrative into perspective. What was the real meaning of the events that we just explored? Paul reminds us:
Romans 1:1-7 I, Paul, am a devoted slave of Jesus Christ on assignment, authorized as an apostle to proclaim God's words and acts. I write this letter to all the believers in Rome, God's friends. 2-7The sacred writings contain preliminary reports by the prophets on God's Son. His descent from David roots him in history; his unique identity as Son of God was shown by the Spirit when Jesus was raised from the dead, setting him apart as the Messiah, our Master. Through him we received both the generous gift of his life and the urgent task of passing it on to others who receive it by entering into obedient trust in Jesus. You are who you are through this gift and call of Jesus Christ! And I greet you now with all the generosity of God our Father and our Master Jesus, the Messiah.
· Paul was planning to visit Rome as part of expanding his work to the west. He writes to the church there and begins with a statement about who he is. What does he say about himself and what does he want them to understand? He says that he is “on assignment” and “authorized”, who do you think Paul believes gave this assignment and authority to him? What would your reaction have been had introduced himself to you in this way.
· Paul calls himself a ‘devoted slave’, what are some ramifications of living as a slave? What does a slave give up and take on because of that status? How would you describe your relationship with Jesus, what words would you use?
· How are believers described? What are the ramifications of being someone’s friend? Do you have similar feelings about your relationship with God – what other words might you use?
· Beginning with verse 7 Paul makes claims about Jesus and lists proofs for their validity. What claims does he make about Jesus and what does he use as substantiation. What are some ways that you have found validity for your sense of who Jesus is and what he represents?
· What does Paul believe we received through Jesus? How has your life been impacted by the gift of his life? How are we to respond to this gift and what word does he use to describe the nature of the task we have?
· Why do you think that Paul feels that passing along the gift is urgent? Can you think of a recent task that you felt had a sense of urgency in its completion? What caused you to feel this way? What might be necessary to bring urgency to this task of sharing the gift of Christ with others?
· Do you sense that there are any new ways you are being called to serve Christ this Advent season? You might seek clarification of this question as part of your Advent prayers.
Closing Prayer
Loving God, stay with me that I might shine; so shine as to be a light for others. Teach me to show forth your praise, your truth, your will. Not just by words but by my example and the influence of what I do. Amen. Adapted from John Henry Newman, Oxford Book of Prayer
Next Week’s Lectionary Scriptures: Isaiah 63:7-9, Psalm 148, Hebrews 2:10-18, Matthew 2:13-23
0 comments:
Post a Comment