December 21, 2025 • 14 mins
Joseph and Mary have been robbed of everything. They continue their journey, losing hope and patience with each other. What will bring them back to each other?
Today's Bible verse is Psalm 23:6, from the King James Version.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days
of my life, and I will dwell in the house
of the Lord forever Psalm twenty three six. Dear Heavenly Father,
as we celebrate the birth of your son, we are
reminded of your enduring love. Your love reaches out to
(00:22):
us despite our foolishness, mistakes, and failures. Your goodness and
mercy are not limited to the perfect moments, but stretch
into the margins of our lives, covering us with grace
when we falter. Thank you for the assurance that, no
matter where we wander, your goodness and mercy are never
(00:44):
far behind, ready to restore, heal, and guide us back
to your embrace. This Christmas, may our hearts be filled
with gratitude for your unfailing love, your patience, and the
harpe we find in our Savior's birth. In the name
of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
Speaker 2 (01:14):
Engrossed in her thoughts and nodding off from exhaustion, Mary
didn't notice them until it was too late. She turned
to see them and held back panic. Mary wasn't foolish
enough to scream. She knew that if she shouted for
Joseph they would kill him before he could even reach
his feet. Mary remained still pretending to sleep, occasionally looking over.
(01:36):
Her heart was pounding. She was paralyzed in an unwinnable
situation as she watched the robbers take the donkey with them.
That is when Mary finally chose to speak. Joseph, She
whispered in an intense tone, too, I've taken everything. Joseph
rose frantically and unsheathed his dagger. Hearing Joseph, the robbers
quickened and ran into the thick of the night. Joseph
(01:59):
began to run after them, mind racing with rage and weariness. However,
just as he was beginning to gain on the thieves,
he heard Mary's voice. Joseph, where are you? Joseph stopped.
If he continued, something might happen to Mary. He watched
the dim figures disappear into the night. Joseph turned back
to camp. We've lost everything, he shouted, his voice trembling
(02:22):
with anger and regret.
Speaker 3 (02:24):
Hello. I'm Jack Graham with today's episode of the Bible
in a Year podcast. But before we begin, I want
to let you know about a unique ebook that's yours
to download absolutely free today. It's called Breaking Free from Stress,
and my prayer is that it will help you conquer
the daily task and pressures and burdens that bring stress
(02:45):
in your life. Download your free copy of Breaking Free
from Stress today by visiting Jack Graham dot org slash stress.
That's Jack Graham dot org slash stress. In today's episode,
Mary and Joseph continue their journey to Bethlehem. Thieves have
just stolen their donkey and supplies, causing tension between Mary
(03:08):
and Joseph. Causing tension between Mary and Joseph as their
desperation increases, Joseph fights bitterness against Mary and Mary fights
insecurity about how Joseph feels about her. This story is
a dramatization, and we could never really know what happened
on that journey between Nazareth and Bethlehem. Still, the struggles
(03:32):
highlighted in this episode are real, especially for a newly
married couple. Joseph and Mary are facing intense pressure. We
eagerly await to see if that pressure causes them to
crack or turn into diamonds. We often encounter situations that
test our patience, faith, and wisdom in our walk with God.
(03:55):
During these times, we can fall into desperation. And make
foolish desis decisions that can get us into trouble. Psalm
Chapter twenty three, verse six reminds us surely goodness and
mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
(04:15):
This powerful verse assures us that despite our follies, God's
grace is always there to guide and protect us. Joseph
is about to do something foolish out of anger, weariness,
and pressure. Let's see how it turns out for him.
And after a let's see how it turns out for him,
(04:38):
And after our story, we'll rejoin each other to unpack
Christmas themes.
Speaker 2 (04:44):
Once filled with lighthearted conversations and shared dreams, the journey
had become an echoing silence. Mary's heart ached not from
the physical strain, but from the chasm that had formed
between her and Joseph. Their shared pass now felt like
two all lines, forever together, yet never meeting. As the
sun cast long golden rays across the trail, marking yet
(05:07):
another day's journey, they entered the small village of Khan,
bustling with travelers and locals alike. Khan promised a brief
respite from the solitude of the valley. The two took
an opportunity to take some much needed time alone. Mary
sought water from the local well while Joseph wandered through
the market place. Driven by a combination of duty and distraction.
(05:29):
He was teeming with anger and frustration. At first, he
was angry with Mary, she was the one who let
her guard down so the thieves could come and steal
the supplies. But upon further reflection, Joseph knew she was
not to blame. He was now angry at himself. We
need a food, he whispered to God, Please, Lord, Please.
(05:51):
Joseph was exasperated and weary, but his attention piqued when
he saw a familiar sight. The side of fruit vendor
was his donkey. Strapped to it were all their possessions.
Beside the donkey were the two thieves bartering for dried dates.
Joseph's eyes lit up with excitement. A storm of emotion
surge within Joseph's anger, hope, desperation, all intertwining, urging him forward.
(06:17):
Joseph was usually a calculated man who considered all options
before acting. However, hunger and misery have a way of
fogging a man's judgment. Without warning or pretense, Joseph ran
towards the donkey. He took it by the reins, mounted it,
and kicked it.
Speaker 3 (06:32):
Ha.
Speaker 2 (06:32):
He shouted, and the donkey ran frantically through the marketplace,
walking over the supplies of nearby vendors. Joseph looked back
as the two thieves ran in violent pursuit. The donkey
wasn't nearly fast enough. With him on his back. He
turned the corner down a narrow alleyway, ducking under clothes
lines and support beams. He didn't know the streets of
Khan or where he was going. Joseph hadn't thought any
(06:54):
of this through. As Joseph turned the corner in one
of the alleys, his eyes widened. A drop off into
a courtyard was ahead, and the donkey was going full
speed without any intention of stopping. Not good, he shouted,
as he and the donkey lunged off a ledge into
a nearby foot stand. Figs, apples, and honeycombs splattered over
the ground. The donkey picked itself up and darted off
(07:15):
with all the supplies. Before Joseph could chase after it,
he was tackled to the ground by both thieves. The
three men struggled in the dirt before the two strangers
pinned Joseph. Where is our donkey? They sneered your donkey?
You saw it from me, Joseph replied in anger. They
struck him on the mouth immediately, then threw him against
the wall. They delivered a blow to the ribs and
(07:37):
then to his face. Joseph knew he couldn't fight them.
He tried to run, but was pinned to the dirt again.
With the little freedom and strength he had left, Joseph
grabbed a handful of dirt and threw it in their eyes.
They let up their grip just enough for Joseph to
scurry away. He rounded the corner and climbed the stairway
to a raised garden. He waited in the bushes and
watched the thieves turn in the opposite direction. Before they
(08:00):
could find Joseph, two Roman soldiers seized them and took
them away. Joseph crawled out and lay on the floor.
His ribs were bruised and his face was bleeding, but
he was safe. He propped himself up and looked around.
The donkey was grazing under the shade of the terribin tree.
He hobbled over to it and stroked its nose. Thank
you Lord, he sighed, with a WinCE of pain. He
(08:23):
grabbed the reins and hobbled back to the well where
Merry waited. She sat down, hands on a belly, no doubt,
praying for Joseph's safe return. Of that moment, he was
reminded of the intense burden she carried. Who was he
to feel sorry for himself? He limped down the path
to marry Mary. He sighed in relief. Their eyes met,
and in that shared moment, words became superfluous. Joseph hugged
(08:46):
her with tender love. His ribs hurt from her arms,
but he didn't care. She held him tight, and the
barriers that had grown between them started crumbling brick by brick.
She looked at his face and gently touched his bruised cheek.
Speaker 1 (09:00):
For a moment, I thought I had lost you.
Speaker 2 (09:02):
Mary whispered, tears glistening. Taking her hand, Joseph replied, I
will always find my way back to you. They ate
beside the well, and Mary tended to Joseph's wounds. With
the winds from his bruises. He hoisted Mary on the
donkey and led it out of the village. He didn't
want to risk running into the thieves again. They set
up cab near a river, cutting through a grouping of trees.
(09:24):
The sound of crickets and owls hummed in blissful peace
underneath the vast canopy of the Starlit sky. The couple
found solace in each other's arms. Their journey, fraught with perils,
had also become a journey of self discovery. They had
been tested and faltered, but love and faith were their
guiding stars. The road stretched before them, but they faced
(09:44):
it side by side. The road to Bethlehem still lay ahead.
It would be a few days until they reached their destination.
That night, as Joseph rested on Mary's lap, she looked
out in the distance. A soft breeze blew in from
the east. Under the l night of the stars, Mary
could spot dark clouds cascading over the hills. She had
(10:05):
a feeling this would be her last moment of peace
for a long time.
Speaker 3 (10:10):
This biblical fiction about Mary and Joseph as they made
their way through the desert serves as a poignant metaphor
for our spiritual journey. The story brings out several themes
related to desperation, foolishness, and the mercy of God. The
narrative portrays Joseph's desperation vividly. Having lost their donkey in
(10:32):
supplies to thieves, the couple was left vulnerable and desperate.
Joseph's immediate reaction was anger and impulsiveness, leading him to
take drastic action to reclaim what was lost. The hasty
decision led to more problems, as he was injured and
the situation escalated further. Similarly, in our lives, desperation can
(10:59):
drive us to make rash decisions without seeking God's guidance.
Whether it's financial struggles, relational conflicts, or personal failures, we
can easily find ourselves in a mess when we act
out of desperation. Despite Joseph's impulsiveness, God's providence is evident
(11:21):
throughout the story the Roman. God's intervention, the safety of
the donkey, and the eventual reconciliation between Mary and Joseph
all point to the unseen hand of God's mercy. Even
in their flawed human condition, God's grace followed them. Likewise,
we can be confident that God's goodness and mercy are
(11:45):
always with us, even when we make mistakes Psalm chapter
twenty three, verse six, becomes a reassuring promise that we
are never beyond the reach of God's loving care. Mary
and Joseph's journey was also one of love and self discovery.
The trials they faced only strengthened their bond and deepened
(12:08):
their faith. Their story reminds us that our spiritual journey
is not without challenges, but that these experiences can shape
us and draw us closer to God and to each other.
The story of Mary and Joseph on their journey to
Bethlehem serves as a profound allegory for the Christian walk.
(12:32):
It teaches us about the dangers of acting in desperation
and the inevitable messes we can create. Yet it also
assures us that God's goodness and mercy are ever present,
guiding us, protecting us. A comforting verse. Who remember is
Romans chapter eight, verse twenty eight. And we know that
(12:54):
all things work together for good to them that love God,
to them who are of the call according to His purpose.
Even in our stumbling and mistakes, God orchestrates his will
in our lives. May we learn to trust in His
providence and lean on his love despite our weariness and frustrations.
(13:17):
Just as Mary and Joseph found strength and their faith
and love for each other, may we too find solace
in our relationship with Christ and with those around us.
The road ahead may be fraught with uncertainties, but with
renewed hope and purpose. Let's walk it side by side
with God, knowing that His goodness and mercy follow us
(13:41):
throughout our lives. Amen. Thank you for listening to today's
Bible Any Year podcast. Before we go, I want to
let you know about a unique ebook that's yours to
download absolutely free today. Is called Breaking Free from Stress,
and my prayer is that it will help you conquer
the daily task and pressures and burdens that bring stress
(14:04):
into your life. Download your free copy of Breaking Free
from Stress today by visiting Jagraam dot org slash stress.
That's Jagraham dot org slash stress
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days
of my life, and I will dwell in the house
of the Lord forever Psalm twenty three six. Dear Heavenly Father,
as we celebrate the birth of your son, we are
reminded of your enduring love. Your love reaches out to
(00:22):
us despite our foolishness, mistakes, and failures. Your goodness and
mercy are not limited to the perfect moments, but stretch
into the margins of our lives, covering us with grace
when we falter. Thank you for the assurance that, no
matter where we wander, your goodness and mercy are never
(00:44):
far behind, ready to restore, heal, and guide us back
to your embrace. This Christmas, may our hearts be filled
with gratitude for your unfailing love, your patience, and the
harpe we find in our Savior's birth. In the name
of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
Speaker 2 (01:14):
Engrossed in her thoughts and nodding off from exhaustion, Mary
didn't notice them until it was too late. She turned
to see them and held back panic. Mary wasn't foolish
enough to scream. She knew that if she shouted for
Joseph they would kill him before he could even reach
his feet. Mary remained still pretending to sleep, occasionally looking over.
(01:36):
Her heart was pounding. She was paralyzed in an unwinnable
situation as she watched the robbers take the donkey with them.
That is when Mary finally chose to speak. Joseph, She
whispered in an intense tone, too, I've taken everything. Joseph
rose frantically and unsheathed his dagger. Hearing Joseph, the robbers
quickened and ran into the thick of the night. Joseph
(01:59):
began to run after them, mind racing with rage and weariness. However,
just as he was beginning to gain on the thieves,
he heard Mary's voice. Joseph, where are you? Joseph stopped.
If he continued, something might happen to Mary. He watched
the dim figures disappear into the night. Joseph turned back
to camp. We've lost everything, he shouted, his voice trembling
(02:22):
with anger and regret.
Speaker 3 (02:24):
Hello. I'm Jack Graham with today's episode of the Bible
in a Year podcast. But before we begin, I want
to let you know about a unique ebook that's yours
to download absolutely free today. It's called Breaking Free from Stress,
and my prayer is that it will help you conquer
the daily task and pressures and burdens that bring stress
(02:45):
in your life. Download your free copy of Breaking Free
from Stress today by visiting Jack Graham dot org slash stress.
That's Jack Graham dot org slash stress. In today's episode,
Mary and Joseph continue their journey to Bethlehem. Thieves have
just stolen their donkey and supplies, causing tension between Mary
(03:08):
and Joseph. Causing tension between Mary and Joseph as their
desperation increases, Joseph fights bitterness against Mary and Mary fights
insecurity about how Joseph feels about her. This story is
a dramatization, and we could never really know what happened
on that journey between Nazareth and Bethlehem. Still, the struggles
(03:32):
highlighted in this episode are real, especially for a newly
married couple. Joseph and Mary are facing intense pressure. We
eagerly await to see if that pressure causes them to
crack or turn into diamonds. We often encounter situations that
test our patience, faith, and wisdom in our walk with God.
(03:55):
During these times, we can fall into desperation. And make
foolish desis decisions that can get us into trouble. Psalm
Chapter twenty three, verse six reminds us surely goodness and
mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
(04:15):
This powerful verse assures us that despite our follies, God's
grace is always there to guide and protect us. Joseph
is about to do something foolish out of anger, weariness,
and pressure. Let's see how it turns out for him.
And after a let's see how it turns out for him,
(04:38):
And after our story, we'll rejoin each other to unpack
Christmas themes.
Speaker 2 (04:44):
Once filled with lighthearted conversations and shared dreams, the journey
had become an echoing silence. Mary's heart ached not from
the physical strain, but from the chasm that had formed
between her and Joseph. Their shared pass now felt like
two all lines, forever together, yet never meeting. As the
sun cast long golden rays across the trail, marking yet
(05:07):
another day's journey, they entered the small village of Khan,
bustling with travelers and locals alike. Khan promised a brief
respite from the solitude of the valley. The two took
an opportunity to take some much needed time alone. Mary
sought water from the local well while Joseph wandered through
the market place. Driven by a combination of duty and distraction.
(05:29):
He was teeming with anger and frustration. At first, he
was angry with Mary, she was the one who let
her guard down so the thieves could come and steal
the supplies. But upon further reflection, Joseph knew she was
not to blame. He was now angry at himself. We
need a food, he whispered to God, Please, Lord, Please.
(05:51):
Joseph was exasperated and weary, but his attention piqued when
he saw a familiar sight. The side of fruit vendor
was his donkey. Strapped to it were all their possessions.
Beside the donkey were the two thieves bartering for dried dates.
Joseph's eyes lit up with excitement. A storm of emotion
surge within Joseph's anger, hope, desperation, all intertwining, urging him forward.
(06:17):
Joseph was usually a calculated man who considered all options
before acting. However, hunger and misery have a way of
fogging a man's judgment. Without warning or pretense, Joseph ran
towards the donkey. He took it by the reins, mounted it,
and kicked it.
Speaker 3 (06:32):
Ha.
Speaker 2 (06:32):
He shouted, and the donkey ran frantically through the marketplace,
walking over the supplies of nearby vendors. Joseph looked back
as the two thieves ran in violent pursuit. The donkey
wasn't nearly fast enough. With him on his back. He
turned the corner down a narrow alleyway, ducking under clothes
lines and support beams. He didn't know the streets of
Khan or where he was going. Joseph hadn't thought any
(06:54):
of this through. As Joseph turned the corner in one
of the alleys, his eyes widened. A drop off into
a courtyard was ahead, and the donkey was going full
speed without any intention of stopping. Not good, he shouted,
as he and the donkey lunged off a ledge into
a nearby foot stand. Figs, apples, and honeycombs splattered over
the ground. The donkey picked itself up and darted off
(07:15):
with all the supplies. Before Joseph could chase after it,
he was tackled to the ground by both thieves. The
three men struggled in the dirt before the two strangers
pinned Joseph. Where is our donkey? They sneered your donkey?
You saw it from me, Joseph replied in anger. They
struck him on the mouth immediately, then threw him against
the wall. They delivered a blow to the ribs and
(07:37):
then to his face. Joseph knew he couldn't fight them.
He tried to run, but was pinned to the dirt again.
With the little freedom and strength he had left, Joseph
grabbed a handful of dirt and threw it in their eyes.
They let up their grip just enough for Joseph to
scurry away. He rounded the corner and climbed the stairway
to a raised garden. He waited in the bushes and
watched the thieves turn in the opposite direction. Before they
(08:00):
could find Joseph, two Roman soldiers seized them and took
them away. Joseph crawled out and lay on the floor.
His ribs were bruised and his face was bleeding, but
he was safe. He propped himself up and looked around.
The donkey was grazing under the shade of the terribin tree.
He hobbled over to it and stroked its nose. Thank
you Lord, he sighed, with a WinCE of pain. He
(08:23):
grabbed the reins and hobbled back to the well where
Merry waited. She sat down, hands on a belly, no doubt,
praying for Joseph's safe return. Of that moment, he was
reminded of the intense burden she carried. Who was he
to feel sorry for himself? He limped down the path
to marry Mary. He sighed in relief. Their eyes met,
and in that shared moment, words became superfluous. Joseph hugged
(08:46):
her with tender love. His ribs hurt from her arms,
but he didn't care. She held him tight, and the
barriers that had grown between them started crumbling brick by brick.
She looked at his face and gently touched his bruised cheek.
Speaker 1 (09:00):
For a moment, I thought I had lost you.
Speaker 2 (09:02):
Mary whispered, tears glistening. Taking her hand, Joseph replied, I
will always find my way back to you. They ate
beside the well, and Mary tended to Joseph's wounds. With
the winds from his bruises. He hoisted Mary on the
donkey and led it out of the village. He didn't
want to risk running into the thieves again. They set
up cab near a river, cutting through a grouping of trees.
(09:24):
The sound of crickets and owls hummed in blissful peace
underneath the vast canopy of the Starlit sky. The couple
found solace in each other's arms. Their journey, fraught with perils,
had also become a journey of self discovery. They had
been tested and faltered, but love and faith were their
guiding stars. The road stretched before them, but they faced
(09:44):
it side by side. The road to Bethlehem still lay ahead.
It would be a few days until they reached their destination.
That night, as Joseph rested on Mary's lap, she looked
out in the distance. A soft breeze blew in from
the east. Under the l night of the stars, Mary
could spot dark clouds cascading over the hills. She had
(10:05):
a feeling this would be her last moment of peace
for a long time.
Speaker 3 (10:10):
This biblical fiction about Mary and Joseph as they made
their way through the desert serves as a poignant metaphor
for our spiritual journey. The story brings out several themes
related to desperation, foolishness, and the mercy of God. The
narrative portrays Joseph's desperation vividly. Having lost their donkey in
(10:32):
supplies to thieves, the couple was left vulnerable and desperate.
Joseph's immediate reaction was anger and impulsiveness, leading him to
take drastic action to reclaim what was lost. The hasty
decision led to more problems, as he was injured and
the situation escalated further. Similarly, in our lives, desperation can
(10:59):
drive us to make rash decisions without seeking God's guidance.
Whether it's financial struggles, relational conflicts, or personal failures, we
can easily find ourselves in a mess when we act
out of desperation. Despite Joseph's impulsiveness, God's providence is evident
(11:21):
throughout the story the Roman. God's intervention, the safety of
the donkey, and the eventual reconciliation between Mary and Joseph
all point to the unseen hand of God's mercy. Even
in their flawed human condition, God's grace followed them. Likewise,
we can be confident that God's goodness and mercy are
(11:45):
always with us, even when we make mistakes Psalm chapter
twenty three, verse six, becomes a reassuring promise that we
are never beyond the reach of God's loving care. Mary
and Joseph's journey was also one of love and self discovery.
The trials they faced only strengthened their bond and deepened
(12:08):
their faith. Their story reminds us that our spiritual journey
is not without challenges, but that these experiences can shape
us and draw us closer to God and to each other.
The story of Mary and Joseph on their journey to
Bethlehem serves as a profound allegory for the Christian walk.
(12:32):
It teaches us about the dangers of acting in desperation
and the inevitable messes we can create. Yet it also
assures us that God's goodness and mercy are ever present,
guiding us, protecting us. A comforting verse. Who remember is
Romans chapter eight, verse twenty eight. And we know that
(12:54):
all things work together for good to them that love God,
to them who are of the call according to His purpose.
Even in our stumbling and mistakes, God orchestrates his will
in our lives. May we learn to trust in His
providence and lean on his love despite our weariness and frustrations.
(13:17):
Just as Mary and Joseph found strength and their faith
and love for each other, may we too find solace
in our relationship with Christ and with those around us.
The road ahead may be fraught with uncertainties, but with
renewed hope and purpose. Let's walk it side by side
with God, knowing that His goodness and mercy follow us
(13:41):
throughout our lives. Amen. Thank you for listening to today's
Bible Any Year podcast. Before we go, I want to
let you know about a unique ebook that's yours to
download absolutely free today. Is called Breaking Free from Stress,
and my prayer is that it will help you conquer
the daily task and pressures and burdens that bring stress
(14:04):
into your life. Download your free copy of Breaking Free
from Stress today by visiting Jagraam dot org slash stress.
That's Jagraham dot org slash stress
Host
Jack Graham
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