Carpenters Hammer - Jesse Tree Devotion Day Twenty Five

Posted on December 22, 2007
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“But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:” Matthew 1: 20-22 (NIV)

Today’s symbol is of a carpenters hammer, to represent Jesus’ earthly father, Joseph. Initially when Joseph found out that Mary was pregnant, he decided that he would divorce her quietly. At the time, it was the custom that women got stoned for being unfaithful to their husband/betrothed husband. We get the impression that Joseph did not want this to happen to Mary. Joseph would have felt betrayed by Mary, shamed and inadequate. If he did not divorce her, then others would have presumed that he got Mary pregnant, and this would have tarnished his reputation as well. Roman and Jewish law at the time stated that a spouse must divorce his wife if she is unfaithful, or he could be accused of exploiting his wife as a prostitute.

Joseph trusted and obeyed God. As soon as he realized that the baby was from God, he put his own honor and reputation aside, in order to honor God first and foremost. Joseph and Mary began their marriage, and probably remained, as object of shame, to others in a society that valued honor. They chose to embrace that shame, so that they could carry out God’s will and call on their lives.

Joseph’s obedience to God cost him the right to value his own reputation. Today, think about whether you put your own reputation and honor before honoring God.
Read more in Matthew 1:19-25.

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Writing Tablet - Jesse Tree Devotion Day Twenty Four

Posted on December 21, 2007
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“He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.”‘ Luke 1: 63 (NIV)

Todays symbol is of a writing tablet, which represents the one Zechariah used in Luke 1. One day when Zechariah was working in the temple an angle appeared and told him that his wife, Elizabeth, would be having a baby, who was to be called John. Zechariah did not believe the angel, and said his wife was too old to have a baby. To show his power, God took away Zechariah’s voice. When Elizabeth gave birth to a son, family and friends expected him to be named after his father, Zechariah, or another male in the family line. They were amazed when Elizabeth said that the baby was to be called John, and pleaded with Zechariah. Zechariah, unable to speak, wrote on a tablet that the child should be named John. Because of his obedience, Zechariah regained his voice, and proclaimed anticipation of the coming of the Lord. With John, God has prepared the way for his promise. God’s ways were not traditional or what had been culturally expected, but they were his ways nonetheless. Sometimes going God’s way means going against the grain of our culture.

Today think about whether you find it hard to believe what God tells you.  Also consider how you tell others about what God has done in your life.

You can read the whole story in Luke 1:57-80.

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You can’t take the Christ out of Christmas

Posted on December 20, 2007
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I love reading Roland S Martin’s articles - this is a fabulous one, which features on CNN today. As usual he has made some great points. Roland never strikes me as someone who is afraid to speak his mind. He also leaves plenty to think about.

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Mother And Baby - Jesse Tree Devotion Day Twenty three

Posted on December 20, 2007
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“When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!”‘ Luke 1:41-42 (NIV)

Today’s symbol is of a mother and baby to celebrate the motherhood shared by Mary and her older cousin, Elizabeth. Mary traveled to visit her cousin Elizabeth, who had conceived a child in old age, through a miracle. Elizabeth’s child - John the Baptist - leaped for joy in his mothers womb on hearing Mary’s greeting. Here, mothers are meeting, but the account is portrayed as two children meeting. John’s reaction can be seen as anticipating the role he will have prior to, and at the beginning of, Jesus’ ministry.

Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, says to Mary “blessed are you among women …..” Elizabeth is very pleased, she, like her unborn child, is joyful. Mary responds with the joyful Mary’s song. It was a joy to share in events associated with Jesus, and it is a joy to share life with him now. As well as joy, this passage is also full of belief. Mary and Elizabeth’s responses to God were of trusting his word to be true and to live in light of that belief. To be blessed is to be happy because God has touched your life.

Today think about what brings you joy. What joy has God brought into your life? How has he blessed you? Do you trust his word and live in the light of that?

You can read the full story of Mary and Elizabeth’s meeting in Luke 1:39-56.

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White Lily - Jesse Tree Devotion Day Twenty Two

Posted on December 19, 2007
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“But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.” Luke 1: 30-33 (NIV)

Today’s symbol is of a white lily. It symbolizes new life and resurrection - hope for the future. God had a special job for someone - to be the mother of his son. He needed someone who loved and trusted him, someone who was strong and loving, someone who believed in him and worshiped him. God chose Mary. We must recognize though, that Mary was chosen through God’s grace, not from any merit she possessed. To many, Mary was an unlikely “source”; the fulfillment of God’s promise came to earth in an unadorned package of human innocence, without any splendid display, far away from any royal palace. When angel Gabriel visited Mary, she was not so sure she was up for the job, but Gabriel reminded her that God would be with her and guide her. The angel states the basic premise “Nothing is impossible with God.” Mary simply responds in humble acceptance, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.”

Today, think about how Mary must have felt after the angel left her. What sort of emotions would have been going through her mind? How do you think she felt about telling people - her family, Joseph? How would people have reacted to her? What can we learn from Mary?

Has God done what seems like the impossible in your life?

Read the whole passage in Luke 1:26-38

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