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NASB | Matthew 1:24 And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 1:24 Then Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him, and he took Mary [to his home] as his wife, |
Bible Question:
Hello All, This past christmas has allowed me to reflect upon the day that Jesus was born. I have often wondered about what exactly took place on the night that Jesus was born. This is a reflection on that day. It was late at night. Mary and Joseph have been travelling to Betheleham because of a census that was ordered by Ceaser Augustus. Upon arriving in Bethleham, the Bible talks about Mary and Joseph searching all around town to find a place to sleep, but only finding a stable out behind an inn. Better than nothing at all, I suppose. Upon the birth of Jesus, Angels appear to shepherds, shepherds come to see the newborn messiah, and to praise him. My mind then begins to wonder about what took place after that. Maybe around four in the morning, after the shepherds have left. What took place then? Mary, being exhausted from not only travelling all day, but also giving birth, and having probably a horrid day of frayed nerves, was possibly fast asleep on the hay. Baby Jesus was either asleep on her chest or in the manger-cradle next to her. Joseph is possibly walking around outside, under the morning sky, awaiting the arrival of sunrise. I have often wondered what was going through his mind throughout all of this. Earlier, he was probably trying his best to be a good husband, trying to keep his cool, and not go nuts by letting things get to him. After all, Mary was relying on him for support nad strength. The last thing he needed was to let his mind wander off into oblivion. So, he kept his thoughts simple and on the moment at hand: Help Mary. Now, that time has past, and it is time to let his thought flow free once again. His conversation with the angel from God was still possibly fresh in his mind. Mary just gave birth to the promised messiah, and now he was given charge over this young messiah's up-bringing. The shock of the overwhelming responcibility just hit him. Under the full weight of what was to happen, he probalby collapsed on the ground. Looking up into the sky, he may have prayed a simple prayer to God saying something like, "Lord, What am I going to do now? How can I raise a king, and messiah, a God? I'm not cut out for this. Am I? What am I going to do?" Still looking up to the stars, as if they would reveal the answers to him, a part of a psalm comes to mind. "Be still and Know that I am God." With renewed peace of mind, Joseph pulls himself off of the dirt, brushes himself off, and begins to walk about the pasture near the stable. Deep in thought, he wanders about, reflecting upon the words of the angel, that the boy Mary just gave birth to was concieved by the Holy Spirit. "Concieved by the Holy Spirit"? How can that be? Why "Jesus" for a name? "Save his people from their sins"? That's a lot of responcibility to place on such a small baby. How am I going to raise this child? How am I, a simple carpenter, going to raise the future King of Israel, the Son of God? "How, Lord? How am I going to do this? Why Me?" Joseph shouts above, the questions that fill his mind. As he gazes across the land, he sees the first glimmer of the new sunrise coming out of the east. Then another revelation hits him, "In the Beginning, God ..." Jesus Loves You! Jesusman |
Bible Answer: Very good |
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Questions and/or Subjects for Matt 1:24 | Author | ||
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leegreerwin | ||
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Jesusman | ||
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Searcher56 | ||
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Karineena | ||
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2007 mouse |