Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
For judgment is without mercy. To the one who has
shown no mercy, mercy triumphs over judgment. James two thirteen.
Dear Heavenly Father, we stand in awe of the mercy
you demonstrated when you sent your son to be born
in a manger, to live among us, and ultimately to
(00:24):
give his life for a redemption. We are forever grateful
for this unparalleled act of mercy, a divine gift that
forever change the course of humanity. Father, Let the spirit
of Christmas remind us to extend mercy as freely as
we have received it from you. As we give gifts
(00:47):
to our loved ones, let us also give forgiveness to
those who have wronged us, understanding to those who have
misunderstood us, and kindness to those who may be in need.
Teach us to celebrate Christmas not just with festive cheer,
but with genuine love and mercy that mirrors your heart.
(01:12):
Let mercy triumph over judgment in our lives, transforming our
hearts and the hearts of those around us. In the
name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and King, we pray Amen.
Speaker 2 (01:34):
The midday sun hung heavy in the sky, its scorching
rays beat down on Joseph's back. He worked to the
sound of rhythmic chiseling against the stone, scraping of wood.
It was a symphony of his dedication to his craft
and devotion to his family. The life of a craftsman
wasn't glamorous work, but he found joy in it. He
(01:55):
cherished his trade. He enjoyed molding something useful and beautiful
that would bless others to day. He swung his hammer
with even more joy than usual. He ground the bricks
with more for nest than usual, and precisely sanded every beam.
He wasn't shaping just another project. He was making the
foundation of his and Mary's future home. While Mary aided
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her cousin Elizabeth with her pregnancy and birth, Joseph toiled
under the sun, shaping their future. Each sound of his
hammer falling on to the chisel was a note in
the symphony of their shared dreams. In his mind's eye,
he saw tiny feet scampering across the stone floor and
heard the echo of laughter ringing through the rooms. He
envisioned holding Mary close, their eyes resting fondly on their
(02:40):
children at play. Joyful anxiety gnawed at his heart. He
longed for Mary's return. His gaze wandered to the winding
roads above. His eyes saw a lone carriage approaching. Shading
his eyes against the blazing sun, he discerned the figure
of Mary. His heart surged with joy, and he dropped
his hammer, ring towards her. I can't wait for her
(03:02):
to see the progress I've made on our own, he thought,
a smile playing at the corners of his mouth as
he dashed towards her. She was a long way away.
He watched her, from a distance get off the carriage
and briskly walk home with her parents. Their heads were
down and shoulders hunched forward. Yet Joseph was too excited
to notice such things. His heart was a flutter with
anticipation to see her eyes widen in surprise, to hear
(03:26):
her laugh, to fill the air, to wash her lips
curve into a grin at the sight of the burgeoning home.
These were the moments he yearned for. He stopped at
the whale to clean himself. After steadying his hands and breath,
he approached her father's house and knocked at the door.
Speaker 3 (03:42):
I'm so glad you've joined us on the Bible. In
a year podcast today. But before we get to today's episode,
I want you to know that I would absolutely love
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(04:03):
There are thousands of things demanding our attention. But it's
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(04:26):
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Today's story is inspired by Matthew Chapter one, verse nineteen,
when Joseph discovers that Mary is pregnant. Joseph is a
central figure in the Christmas story and is often overshadowed
(04:50):
by the more prominent characters. Yep, I believe Joseph is
an unheralded hero of great character. In this story, we
find Joseph if at a poignant crossroads grappling with feelings
of betrayal while standing on the precipice of a divine
intervention who would change the course of the world. The
(05:11):
Birth of Jesus was filled with key moments when everything
could have been thwarted. One of those moments will happen
in this story when Joseph has the right to stone
Mary for adultery. Joseph will find himself in a position
that many of us find ourselves in. We all have
(05:31):
moments where we can lash out in anger and show judgment,
or choose the path of mercy. Often, the way of
compassion is the more challenging trail to tread. Joseph could
end all his hurt and problems by showing Mary judgment,
But the measure of a man's character is often revealed
not in how he uses his power, but in how
(05:53):
he retrains it. Jesus said, blessed are the meek, for
they shall inherit the earth. Weakness does not mean weakness,
It means power under control. Will Joseph lash out and
uses authority to end Mary, or will he show meekness
and mercy ushering in the greatest story ever told? Let's
(06:16):
find out now. In this cinematic retelling of Matthew Chapter one,
verse nineteen. Afterwards, we'll unpack the deep and hidden things.
Speaker 2 (06:28):
The journey home from her cousin's home seemed to drag
on forever. Mary was reeling with anxiety, counting her every heartbeat.
On the way back to Nazareth, a storm of emotions
welled within her, but she had no choice but to
go home. Sure, she thought of running or remaining with Elizabeth,
but that was not the path God had chosen for her.
The cart dropped Mary off at the corner of the
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city gates. She was back in Nazareth. Her feet were
heavy with the burden of the secret she bore, yet
she held her chinhai, her spirit, bolstered by the divine promise,
nestled within her. Her siblings were the first to see
her arrive. They ran to her, jumping in the air
and squealing. She managed a brief smile before locking eyes
with her parents. Her mother covered her mouth and her
(07:12):
father tightened his fist. They could see what the children couldn't.
Mary was with child. Mary followed her parents silently to
their house. Her father shut the door. Mary breathed in
and whispered a silent prayer. She prayed the Lord would
soften their hearts. She hoped God had somehow spoken to
them too. The warmth in her home was replaced by
(07:33):
the chill of her parent's gaze. With a trembling voice
holding back rage. Her father spoke softly, saying.
Speaker 1 (07:40):
Mary, what have you done?
Speaker 2 (07:42):
Before Mary could answer, her mother grabbed her by the
shoulders with tears in her eyes.
Speaker 4 (07:47):
Your virtue, Mary, why have you done this? What happened?
Speaker 2 (07:52):
Mary's lower lip began to quiver, but she knew she
had to remain strong, or else they might portray guilt.
She wasn't guilty. She was the opper of guilty. She
was chosen above all others. She cleared her throat and
looked her parents in the eyes.
Speaker 4 (08:06):
Before I left for Elizabeths, I was visited by an angel.
He told me God had chosen me to bear a
child of promise. I did not disgrace you, Joseph or myself.
I have been called by God to raise the Son
of God.
Speaker 2 (08:24):
Disbelief and anger came upon them. You've blood shame to
us and to Joseph, and your shame God even more
with your story, her father yelled. His voice was cracking
from a mixture of anger and betrayal. The sharp sting
of their accusations left a bitter taste in Mary's mouth.
She tried to explain, her voice filled with the desperate
(08:46):
hope that they would understand, but the storm of their
wrath drowned her out. Just then, there was a knock
at the door. Mary knew that knock, the same knock
would greet her every day at dusk for a stroll
through the garden. Mary's father opened the door. Behind it
was Joseph, beaming with anticipation to see his bride to be.
His smile was quickly interrupted when he saw Mary's hand
(09:07):
on her midsection. Confusion etched lines on his forehead, and
bitter betrayal painted his gaze. His world, like hers, immediately
spun off its axis. Mary's father leaned into Joseph and whispered, Joseph,
we've just found out ourselves. We didn't know, we swear.
Joseph's eyes were fogging with restrained tears. He looked as
(09:28):
if he was going to break, but he didn't. Mary.
Speaker 1 (09:32):
He whispered why.
Speaker 2 (09:34):
Mary could barely stand the look of betrayal on his face.
She tried explaining everything to him, but the story seemed
too outlandish. Mary's father, a stern and righteous man, made
his judgment. Joseph, she has wronged you. You have the
right to punish her, even to stonnor if you wish.
Her words were cutting to Mary's soul. Her own father
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had just permitted Joseph to execute her. Her fate was
now so in the hands of a man whose face
was about to burst with grief. Joseph's gaze moved from
her father to Mary, the silent question lingering in his eyes. Then,
with a wave of anger and despair, he turned and
walked away. His departure left a chilling silence that hung
heavily in the room. Mary and her parents were left
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wondering what he would choose. Joseph went to be alone.
He stormed past the site where he had built the
foundation for their new home. With sadness weighing heavy on
his shoulders, he hiked into the hills and watched the
sun descend over the plains outside Nazareth. Betrayal gnawed at
Joseph's heart. He stood on the grass inside, watching the
final rays of light recede from view. The sun's final
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rays painted the sky above a lush and vibrant pink.
Beneath the torrent of Joseph's emotions, there was an undercurrent
of anger towards God. Have I not been loyal? He whispered,
I have toiled to build our home. I have shone
restraint and kindness. Pain shot up Joseph's heart in lingered
in his throat as he spoke. He stood and yelled
(11:03):
at the wind. How did everything I was supposed to
do had remained faithful? How you paid your commands? What
have I done? To the surface, his voice cracked, and
then he crumbled to the ground and wept. A thousand
thoughts whirled around in his mind as he grappled with
the reality before him. He was torn between the laws
(11:24):
of the land and his affection for Mary. His honor
demanded he react. It is kindness, whispered another path. He
was at the crossroads of judgment and mercy. Which path
would he choose? Why should I show mercy? He thought?
What good has been good done? In the depths of
his turmoil. Joseph was a just and righteous man. Thousands
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of small decisions to do the right thing every day
had already forged a character within him. He sighed, and
watched the colorful horizon give way to the darkness. The
coolness of the evening began to settle over the grassy
valley below. Joseph closed eyes and whispered, I have made
my choice. He would not subject Mary to public shame,
nor stoke the fires of scandal. He would divorce her quietly, mercifully,
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even as he grappled with the shards of his shattered dreams.
He chose kindness over revenge, mercy over judgment. It was
a decision that echoed the depths of his character and
the unwavering strength of his heart. The knight was filled
with his silent and somber resolution. Under the exposed stars,
Joseph laid back on the grassy slope and drifted off
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to sleep.
Speaker 3 (12:39):
According to the Jewish tradition of the time, betrothal was
as binding as marriage. It must have felt like a
painful betrayal when Mary revealed that she was pregnant. Mary, however,
stirred firm in her truth, telling the divine message she
had received. Her resolve in this challenging situation is admirable,
(13:00):
but it also sets the stage for Joseph's crucial decision.
Despite his initial feelings of betrayal. Joseph's actions reveal his
remarkable character. The scripture describes him as a just man,
implying his righteousness and adherence to the law. However, he
was also unwilling to disgrace Mary publicly, indicating his compassion
(13:24):
and mercy. At the time, according to the Mosaic law,
he could have had Mary stone for adultery. Instead, he
decided to divorce her quietly, choosing mercy over judgment. This
decision was monumental in his personal life and in the
broader scope of God's salvation plan. Joseph's mercy mirrors God's
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mercy towards us, a core theme of the Christmas story.
But God, through an angelic dream, would soon intervene, ensuring
Joseph's understanding and cooperation with his divine plan. As we
reflect on this portion of the Nativity story, Joseph's example
(14:09):
is both an encouragement and a challenge. He stood at
the crossroads of judgment and mercy and chose the path
of mercy, unknowingly echoing the profound mercy God offers to
us through the birth of Jesus. This Christmas let us
strive to model Joseph's example in our own lives, when
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we feel betrayed or hurt, ny we have the strength
to choose mercy over judgment, remembering that God chose mercy
for us, gifting us his son to guide us toward love, forgiveness,
and reconciliation. The Christmas story isn't only about the miraculous
birth of Jesus, but also about the people God chose
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to be part of that miracle. Just as Joseph had
a crucial part to play, we too have a role
in God's divine narrative. Like Joseph, May we be willing
to embrace life's unexpected urns, bearing in mind that in
doing so we become part of God's grand story of
salvation and mercy. In our next episode, Joseph will be
(15:16):
face to face with the same Angel that stole Zechariah's
voice and heralded the coming of Christ. Joseph's loyalty and
character will be tested, and the journey to the Manger
will be underway. Thank you for listening to today's Bible
in a Year podcast. I'm Jack Graham from Dallas, Texas,
and before we go, I want you to know that
(15:37):
I would love to send you my daily devotional to
give you fresh encouragement every single day, So visit Jack
Graham dot org to sign up for your PowerPoint Today
devotional that's Jack Graham dot org