February 10, 2019 WWJWMTD by Steve, the son of John

Joseph, The Just Person

Series: The Ethical Christian

God is just and His justice is abundant in the earth. We do not talk much about becoming a just person but rather like to criticize and make fun of those around us. Justice is something alien to many Americans. However, to God justice is what He is all about.

God brought to my attention the justice that is found in the life of Joseph—Jesus’s earthly father or should I say, stepfather. Joseph took on the role of raising Christ. He did this willingly and took this responsibility seriously. God stated in Scripture that Joseph was a ‘just man’.

This series, “The Ethical Christian” is about being that just person. It is time to arise to justice and become just men and women in Christ. God has been stirring my soul lately. He has brought various feelings of my soul to intensity levels I have not felt in many years. He is changing not only what I am feeling but also who I am. God is after me in new ways and for purposes, I cannot explain. This series will be the stepping-stones for you to understand what God is asking, doing and expecting from all of us in the Body of Christ.

“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privately. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, you son of David, fear not to take to you Mary your wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and you shall call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took to him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.” (Matthew 1:18-25)

Why was Joseph a just man? He reacted not in fear or in public opinion or in religiosity or in vindictiveness. Joseph wanted to do the right thing for the right reasons and in accordance with the will of God. He was an older man and dreamed dreams. He listened to God even though He did not understand what God was doing. He loved Mary and began his journey in being the chosen protector of Jesus—when Jesus could not protect himself.

Joseph listened to God. He did what God warned him about in his dreams. He even took extra precautions in protecting Jesus when He came back to Jerusalem after being in Egypt for a couple of years. This was Joseph’s finest hour—his destiny, which he gladly accepted. His destiny was to raise and protect Jesus Christ. He knew that Jesus was not his son but that did not detour him from being a just and honorable person.

I wonder if God would have trusted you with His Son? Would you be that just person who honored Mary’s word, listened to and obeyed God, and did all He could in loving Jesus as his own son? Does God see you as a just person? Will you fight for what is right? Obey God without question? Go the distance and then some? Will you be that just person, as Joseph was, even though he has little honor in Scripture yet it was Joseph that God trusted His son too—will you be that person too?

God, hear my prayer! Make me a just person! Free of bias and judgment and full of only wanting to do your will and seeking the fulfillment of your purposes on the earth! God hear this prayer of mine!

WWJWMTD

What would Jesus want me to do?

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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