Paula Wiseman » Matthew

GP: Joseph by Jon Wiseman

Paula — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 12:03:58 +0000

I usually reserve Friday from guest posts, but we're headed out of town for an early Christmas with our family. So enjoy this guest post from Jon Wiseman. An amateur theologian, and deep thinker, he's taught the Bible in one setting or another for at least twenty years. I think you'll like his stuff.

Very little is said of Joseph in the Bible. He is possibly one of the least discussed men of Scripture. If we examine the few Scriptures concerning him, we find an exemplary man and father. Briefly and succinctly here is what Matthew 1:18-25 says.

Joseph, being a just man — Few people are given this description. Mary had “obviously” been unfaithful, and Joseph was going to see that the situation was dealt with as the law allowed.

Not willing — He could make a decision. He knew what he did NOT want to do although he hadn't fully decided on what TO do. This apparent indecisiveness was actually the manifesting of another character trait we'll discuss later.

To make her (Mary) a public example — Joseph was merciful. He could have done anything up to and including stoning, but he loved Mary too much for her to receive the justice she apparently deserved.

While — This single word that we may often over-read, simply and clearly relates that Joseph was not brash, but patient. He didn't want to make a hasty decision that he would regret later.

He thought on these things — Joseph was wise. This is closely related to his patience, but time is sometimes necessary for the mind to weigh out all of the options and (as many people forget) the consequences of his decisions.

The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said — He was a spiritual man. Some do not believe in angels because they have not seen them. Joseph did not seem to be too disturbed by the angel, so he already assumed they existed.

"Joseph, Son of David — You are of the kingly line, Joseph. You could rightly be heir to the kingship of Israel.

"… the child is conceived by the Holy Ghost — “Really!? Pregnant by the Holy Ghost. That’s rich.” No, that was not his response. He received it by faith as fact. His previously mentioned spirituality is accented by the faith he exhibited here.

Did as the angel said — Obedience. Spirituality and faith are not complete if they are not put into action. Joseph, in addition to the other traits discussed was obedient.

Joseph was a confident man. This is not directly stated, but certainly inferred. By not punishing Mary for infidelity, Joseph appeared to admit that he was the father, and therefore unable to control himself. He bore the blame and shame for the "early" pregnancy. Joseph knew what he had done… and what he hadn't… and lived the rest of his life shadowed by the notions of the community.

I wish to follow Joseph’s example and encourage other men (and boys) to do the same.

This is Jon's debut post . Why not encourage him with some comment love. Thanks!

STT: Matthew

Paula — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 12:25:15 +0000

The gospel of Matthew contains some of the most familiar passages in the New Testament- the Beatitudes, the Lord's Prayer and the Great Commission – and that helps make it great choice for study.

There are two major themes running through Matthew.

Jesus is the long-awaited King – Matthew's audience was Jewish, and he intended to show that Jesus of Nazareth fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies. In fact, tags about the prophets appear throughout the book. His genealogy was royal, His decrees were majestic, and He introduced us to "the kingdom of heaven".

Jesus faced stiff opposition – Beginning with the early threats on His life by Herod, the political ruler, through His eventual trial at the hands of the religious authorities, the King was rejected by all segments of society. Many times Jesus' words ran counter to the conventional wisdom of His day or to the long-held traditional interpretations.

If you are a list-maker, here are some suggestions.

What does Jesus say?
What is the response to His teaching?
What do others say about Him?
What is the kingdom of heaven like?

In some ways, I think it's harder to study the Gospels than some of the other books, maybe because these are the words and actions of Christ Himself. Usually with the Gospels, I tend to study by "episode" rather than take an entire chapter. I like to soak it in and let it percolate before moving on to the next thing.

What do like about the gospel of Matthew?

Immediately

Paula — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 11:25:57 +0000

In Matthew 4:20-22, Jesus calls Simon and Andrew, then James and John to follow Him.

Immediately they left their nets… the boat… their father.

Immediately.

And followed Him.

He called me to follow Him.

How have I responded?

Immediately?

What have I left?

Anything?

Am I really following?

Milestones

Paula — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 13:09:14 +0000

My youngest starts kindergarten tomorrow. I realize that a lot moms my age are packing their babies off to college right now. Obviously God knows I'm not ready for that.

There are lots of profound observations I could make, I suppose. New beginnings, letting go, equipping my kids. All the usual things.

But here's what hit me. Rachel can't wait to go to school. She's heard about it. She's been in the building. But she's never experienced it. Her enthusiasm is based in large part on seeing her older brother and sister go to school. She wants what they had.

The people around me determine whether they want anything to do with Jesus Christ based on how I – or other believers they know – act and react. If living the Christian life comes across as pure drudgery… nobody wants that.

But if I have that joy and peace… If they see Jesus is that vital sustaining presence that keeps me going… they are much more likely to want what I have.

Let your light so shine before men… Matthew 5:16

Moving Mountains

Paula — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 11:57:02 +0000

"If you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:20

This verse follows an account of the disciples' failure to heal a boy's epilepsy. They had accomplished great miracles before, but this time, they humiliated themselves. What was the difference? Their faith was in themselves, in their past success, in their worthiness to be God's agents, in their own faith. And they failed.

At first glance. this is a pretty discouraging verse. I can't move mountains, so my faith must be microscopic, right?

That's missing the point. It's about quality, not quantity. Even the littlest amount of faith can accomplish great things because of GOD, in whom that faith rests. Worrying about the amount of faith I have puts the focus on me. Then 'faith' becomes a system for trying to manipulate God into doing what I want. (If I just have more faith, God will…) God doesn't have to do what I want and He's already promised to do what I need.

My faith never moves mountains. GOD moves them.

STT:Lists

Paula — Tue, 03 May 2011 11:55:04 +0000

(This is an encore presentation of one of my earliest tips.)

Are you a list-maker? Why do you make them? To remember things, right? Today's tip is learn to recognize lists in Scripture.

Some of the lists you're already familiar with- Ten Commandments, Fruit of the Spirit and so forth. Sometimes though, they are a little more subtle. For example:

They can take the form of instructions, like in the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 "Go… teach… baptize… teach."
They can be attributes, as in 2 Timothy 1:7 "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."
They can be an action plan. "For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord and to do it and to teach the statutes and ordinances in Israel." (Ezra 7:10)

One of my favorite lists is in Ephesians 1:3-6. Check out the blessings in those few verses!

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved."

Every spiritual blessing (We could actually stop there. The rest of it explains some of what that entails.)
Chosen in Him before the foundation of the world
Holy & blameless before Him in love
Adopted as His children
Accepted by His grace, according to His will.

Now we could dicker about exactly how many things should or could be on the list. For example, 'holy" and 'blameless' could be two separate items, but no matter how you cut it, that's a pretty fantastic list.

There's another in Romans 5:1-11. Check out all that 'we' have, what 'we' were and what 'we' are now.

Noticing or even writing down the lists causes us to slow down and consider the truth for an extra moment or two. I number the list items in the text or write them in the margin.

As you study, watch for lists in Scripture, and spend some time with them. I'd love to hear what lists you discover.