1 00:00:00,480 --> 00:00:03,680 Speaker 1: For judgment is without mercy. To the one who has 2 00:00:03,720 --> 00:00:10,000 Speaker 1: shown no mercy, Mercy triumphs over judgment. James two thirteen. 3 00:00:11,880 --> 00:00:15,840 Speaker 1: Dear Heavenly Father, we stand in awe of the mercy 4 00:00:15,920 --> 00:00:18,800 Speaker 1: you demonstrated when you sent your son to be born 5 00:00:18,880 --> 00:00:23,919 Speaker 1: in a manger, to live among us, and ultimately to 6 00:00:24,000 --> 00:00:28,440 Speaker 1: give his life for our redemption. We are forever grateful 7 00:00:28,560 --> 00:00:33,400 Speaker 1: for this unparalleled act of mercy, a divine gift that 8 00:00:33,560 --> 00:00:39,159 Speaker 1: forever change the course of humanity. Father, Let the spirit 9 00:00:39,240 --> 00:00:43,440 Speaker 1: of Christmas remind us to extend mercy as freely as 10 00:00:43,479 --> 00:00:47,640 Speaker 1: we have received it from you. As we give gifts 11 00:00:47,680 --> 00:00:51,400 Speaker 1: to our loved ones, let us also give forgiveness to 12 00:00:51,440 --> 00:00:55,160 Speaker 1: those who have wronged us, understanding to those who have 13 00:00:55,280 --> 00:00:59,680 Speaker 1: misunderstood us, and kindness to those who may be in need. 14 00:01:01,800 --> 00:01:05,320 Speaker 1: Teach us to celebrate Christmas not just with festive cheer, 15 00:01:05,440 --> 00:01:10,280 Speaker 1: but with genuine love and mercy that mirrors your heart. 16 00:01:12,120 --> 00:01:16,760 Speaker 1: Let mercy triumph over judgment in our lives, transforming our 17 00:01:16,880 --> 00:01:20,560 Speaker 1: hearts and the hearts of those around us. In the 18 00:01:20,640 --> 00:01:25,200 Speaker 1: name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and King, we pray, Amen, 19 00:01:26,720 --> 00:01:30,120 Speaker 1: Thank you for praying with me today. Get ready to 20 00:01:30,200 --> 00:01:33,800 Speaker 1: dive back into this tale of adventure and hope and 21 00:01:33,880 --> 00:01:37,000 Speaker 1: the stories of the Messiah with Rabbi Schneider. 22 00:01:46,240 --> 00:01:49,720 Speaker 2: The midday sun hung heavy in the sky. Its scorching 23 00:01:49,840 --> 00:01:52,800 Speaker 2: rays beat down on Joseph's back. He worked to the 24 00:01:52,840 --> 00:01:56,080 Speaker 2: sound of rhythmic chiseling against the stone, scraping of wood. 25 00:01:57,440 --> 00:01:59,919 Speaker 2: It was a symphony of his dedication to his craft 26 00:02:00,280 --> 00:02:03,400 Speaker 2: and devotion to his family. The life of a craftsman 27 00:02:03,520 --> 00:02:06,960 Speaker 2: wasn't glamorous work, but he found joy in it. He 28 00:02:07,080 --> 00:02:11,000 Speaker 2: cherished his trade. He enjoyed molding something useful and beautiful 29 00:02:11,000 --> 00:02:14,120 Speaker 2: that would bless others to day. He swung his hammer 30 00:02:14,160 --> 00:02:17,320 Speaker 2: with even more joy than usual. He crownd the bricks 31 00:02:17,360 --> 00:02:21,320 Speaker 2: with more for nest than usual, and precisely sanded every beam. 32 00:02:21,919 --> 00:02:25,040 Speaker 2: He wasn't shaping just another project. He was making the 33 00:02:25,080 --> 00:02:28,919 Speaker 2: foundation of his and Mary's future home. While Mary aided 34 00:02:28,919 --> 00:02:32,400 Speaker 2: her cousin Elizabeth with her pregnancy and birth, Joseph toiled 35 00:02:32,440 --> 00:02:35,800 Speaker 2: under the sun shaping their future. Each sound of his 36 00:02:35,880 --> 00:02:38,480 Speaker 2: hammer falling on to the chisel was a note in 37 00:02:38,560 --> 00:02:42,280 Speaker 2: the symphony of their shared dreams. In his mind's eye, 38 00:02:42,440 --> 00:02:45,440 Speaker 2: he saw tiny feet scampering across the stone floor and 39 00:02:45,520 --> 00:02:48,679 Speaker 2: heard the echo of laughter ringing through the rooms. He 40 00:02:48,880 --> 00:02:52,360 Speaker 2: envisioned holding Mary close, their eyes resting fondly on their 41 00:02:52,440 --> 00:02:56,680 Speaker 2: children at play. Joyful anxiety gnawed at his heart. He 42 00:02:56,800 --> 00:03:00,400 Speaker 2: longed for Mary's return. His gaze wandered to the winder roads. 43 00:03:00,400 --> 00:03:04,440 Speaker 2: Above his eyes saw a lone carriage approaching. Shading his 44 00:03:04,480 --> 00:03:08,280 Speaker 2: eyes against the blazing sun, he discerned the figure of Mary. 45 00:03:08,680 --> 00:03:11,560 Speaker 2: His heart surged with joy, and he dropped his hammer, 46 00:03:11,720 --> 00:03:14,680 Speaker 2: hurrying towards her. I can't wait for her to see 47 00:03:14,680 --> 00:03:17,760 Speaker 2: the progress I've made on our own, he thought, a 48 00:03:17,800 --> 00:03:19,800 Speaker 2: smile playing at the corners of his mouth. As he 49 00:03:19,880 --> 00:03:22,920 Speaker 2: dashed towards her. She was a long way away. He 50 00:03:22,960 --> 00:03:24,880 Speaker 2: watched her, from a distance get off the carriage and 51 00:03:24,919 --> 00:03:28,040 Speaker 2: briskly walk home with her parents. Their heads were down 52 00:03:28,240 --> 00:03:31,800 Speaker 2: and shoulders hunched forward, Yet Joseph was too excited to 53 00:03:31,880 --> 00:03:34,839 Speaker 2: notice such things. His heart was a flutter with anticipation 54 00:03:35,680 --> 00:03:38,440 Speaker 2: to see her eyes widen in surprise, to hear her 55 00:03:38,520 --> 00:03:41,400 Speaker 2: laughter fill the air, to watch her lips curve into 56 00:03:41,400 --> 00:03:44,320 Speaker 2: a grin at the sight of their burgeoning home. These 57 00:03:44,360 --> 00:03:46,920 Speaker 2: were the moments he yearned for. He stopped at the 58 00:03:46,920 --> 00:03:49,880 Speaker 2: whale to clean himself After steadying his hands and breath, 59 00:03:50,120 --> 00:03:52,840 Speaker 2: he approached her father's house and knocked at the door. 60 00:03:54,400 --> 00:03:57,960 Speaker 3: Shall On and welcome to another Christmas episode of story 61 00:03:58,000 --> 00:04:02,080 Speaker 3: to the Messiah. I'm Rabbi from discovering the Jewish Jesus 62 00:04:02,400 --> 00:04:07,200 Speaker 3: and your teacher through this amazing tale of faith and triumph. 63 00:04:07,920 --> 00:04:11,839 Speaker 3: Today's story is inspired by Matthew one verse nineteen, when 64 00:04:11,960 --> 00:04:18,320 Speaker 3: Joseph discovers Mary is pregnant. Joseph is a central figure 65 00:04:18,360 --> 00:04:21,559 Speaker 3: on the Christmas story we all know, but is often 66 00:04:21,600 --> 00:04:25,920 Speaker 3: overshadowed by the more prominent characters. Yet I believe Joseph 67 00:04:26,160 --> 00:04:31,200 Speaker 3: or Hebrew Joseph is an unheralded hero of great character. 68 00:04:32,080 --> 00:04:36,320 Speaker 3: In this story, we find Joseph at a poignant crossroads, 69 00:04:37,040 --> 00:04:41,000 Speaker 3: graptly with feelings of betrayal, while standing on the precipice 70 00:04:41,160 --> 00:04:45,200 Speaker 3: of a divine intervention that would change the course of 71 00:04:45,279 --> 00:04:49,320 Speaker 3: the world. The birth of Jesus was filled with key 72 00:04:49,440 --> 00:04:53,320 Speaker 3: moments when everything should have been thwarted. One of those 73 00:04:53,360 --> 00:04:57,040 Speaker 3: moments will happen in this story when Joseph has the 74 00:04:57,120 --> 00:05:03,960 Speaker 3: right to stone Mary for adultery. Joseph will find himself 75 00:05:04,279 --> 00:05:07,880 Speaker 3: in a position many of us have found ourselves in. 76 00:05:08,920 --> 00:05:11,760 Speaker 3: We all have had moments when we can lash out 77 00:05:11,760 --> 00:05:16,239 Speaker 3: in anger and show judgment, or choose the path of mercy. 78 00:05:16,720 --> 00:05:20,560 Speaker 3: Often the way of compassion is the more challenging trail 79 00:05:20,680 --> 00:05:24,240 Speaker 3: to tread. Joseph could end all of us hurting problems 80 00:05:24,720 --> 00:05:28,480 Speaker 3: by showing married judgment. But the measure of a man's 81 00:05:28,640 --> 00:05:32,680 Speaker 3: character is often revealed not in how he uses his power, 82 00:05:33,600 --> 00:05:38,280 Speaker 3: but in how he restrains it. Jesus said, Blessed are 83 00:05:38,320 --> 00:05:42,680 Speaker 3: the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Meekness does 84 00:05:42,720 --> 00:05:49,440 Speaker 3: not mean weakness, It means power under control. Will Joseph 85 00:05:49,520 --> 00:05:53,200 Speaker 3: lash out and use his authority to end Mary, or 86 00:05:53,839 --> 00:05:58,360 Speaker 3: will he show meekness and mercy ushering in the greatest 87 00:05:58,640 --> 00:06:03,400 Speaker 3: story ever told? Let's find out now in the cinematic 88 00:06:03,440 --> 00:06:08,000 Speaker 3: retelling of Matthew one nineteen Afterwards, unpack the deep and 89 00:06:08,080 --> 00:06:11,679 Speaker 3: hidden themes of this mysterious story. 90 00:06:14,160 --> 00:06:16,719 Speaker 2: The journey home from her cousin's home seemed to drag 91 00:06:16,760 --> 00:06:20,839 Speaker 2: on forever. Mary was reeling with anxiety, counting her every 92 00:06:20,920 --> 00:06:23,680 Speaker 2: heart beat. On the way back to Nazareth, a storm 93 00:06:23,680 --> 00:06:26,760 Speaker 2: of emotions welled within her, but she had no choice 94 00:06:26,760 --> 00:06:29,680 Speaker 2: but to go home. Sure she thought of running or 95 00:06:29,720 --> 00:06:32,320 Speaker 2: remaining with Elizabeth, but that was not the path God 96 00:06:32,360 --> 00:06:35,120 Speaker 2: had chosen for her. The cart dropped Mary off at 97 00:06:35,120 --> 00:06:37,880 Speaker 2: the corner of the city gates. She was back in Nazareth. 98 00:06:38,120 --> 00:06:40,200 Speaker 2: Her feet were heavy with the burden of the secret 99 00:06:40,320 --> 00:06:43,920 Speaker 2: she bore, yet she held her chin hai, her spirit, 100 00:06:44,000 --> 00:06:47,919 Speaker 2: bolstered by the divine promise, nestled within her. Her siblings 101 00:06:47,960 --> 00:06:48,720 Speaker 2: were the first. 102 00:06:48,440 --> 00:06:49,239 Speaker 1: To see her arrive. 103 00:06:49,720 --> 00:06:51,960 Speaker 2: They ran to her, jumping in the air and squealing. 104 00:06:52,480 --> 00:06:55,720 Speaker 2: She managed a brief smile before locking eyes with her parents. 105 00:06:56,120 --> 00:06:59,360 Speaker 2: Her mother covered her mouth and her father tightened his fist. 106 00:07:00,040 --> 00:07:03,760 Speaker 2: They could see what the children couldn't. Mary was with child. 107 00:07:04,120 --> 00:07:07,559 Speaker 2: Mary followed her parents silently to their house. Her father 108 00:07:07,640 --> 00:07:11,320 Speaker 2: shut the door. Mary breathed in and whispered a silent prayer. 109 00:07:11,880 --> 00:07:14,800 Speaker 2: She prayed the Lord would soften their hearts. She hoped 110 00:07:14,840 --> 00:07:17,640 Speaker 2: God had somehow spoken to them too. The warmth in 111 00:07:17,680 --> 00:07:20,600 Speaker 2: her home was replaced by the chill of her parent's gaze. 112 00:07:20,720 --> 00:07:26,920 Speaker 2: With a trembling voice holding back rage, her father spoke softly, saying, Mary, 113 00:07:27,280 --> 00:07:30,280 Speaker 2: what have you done? Before Mary could answer, her mother 114 00:07:30,360 --> 00:07:32,640 Speaker 2: grabbed her by the shoulders with tears in her eyes. 115 00:07:33,080 --> 00:07:37,480 Speaker 4: Your virtue, Mary, why have you done? This what happened. 116 00:07:37,840 --> 00:07:40,520 Speaker 2: Mary's lower lip began to quiver, but she knew she 117 00:07:40,560 --> 00:07:43,400 Speaker 2: had to remain strong, or else they might portray guilt. 118 00:07:43,920 --> 00:07:47,040 Speaker 2: She wasn't guilty, She was the opposite of guilty. She 119 00:07:47,160 --> 00:07:50,560 Speaker 2: was chosen above all others. She cleared her throat and 120 00:07:50,640 --> 00:07:52,000 Speaker 2: looked her parents in the eyes. 121 00:07:52,560 --> 00:07:56,720 Speaker 4: Before I left for Elizabeth's, I was visited by an angel. 122 00:07:57,280 --> 00:08:00,080 Speaker 4: He told me God had chosen me to bear a 123 00:08:00,200 --> 00:08:05,160 Speaker 4: child of promise. I did not disgrace you, Joseph or myself. 124 00:08:05,960 --> 00:08:09,040 Speaker 4: I have been called by God to raise the Son 125 00:08:09,240 --> 00:08:09,840 Speaker 4: of God. 126 00:08:10,720 --> 00:08:13,280 Speaker 2: Disbelief and anger came upon them. 127 00:08:13,640 --> 00:08:16,920 Speaker 5: You brot same to us and to Joseph. Are your 128 00:08:17,040 --> 00:08:21,320 Speaker 5: shame God even more with your story? Her father yelled, 129 00:08:21,480 --> 00:08:24,360 Speaker 5: His voice was cracking from a mixture of anger and betrayal. 130 00:08:24,880 --> 00:08:28,040 Speaker 5: The sharp sting of their accusations left a bitter taste 131 00:08:28,040 --> 00:08:31,320 Speaker 5: in Mary's mouth. She tried to explain, her voice filled 132 00:08:31,360 --> 00:08:34,320 Speaker 5: with the desperate hope that they would understand, but the 133 00:08:34,360 --> 00:08:37,200 Speaker 5: storm of their wrath drowned her out. Just then, there 134 00:08:37,240 --> 00:08:40,240 Speaker 5: was a knock at the door. Mary knew that knock, the. 135 00:08:40,160 --> 00:08:42,439 Speaker 2: Same knock would greet her every day at dusk for 136 00:08:42,480 --> 00:08:45,679 Speaker 2: a stroll through the garden. Mary's father opened the door. 137 00:08:45,880 --> 00:08:49,360 Speaker 2: Behind it was Joseph, beaming with anticipation to see his 138 00:08:49,480 --> 00:08:52,400 Speaker 2: bride to bee. His smile was quickly interrupted when he 139 00:08:52,440 --> 00:08:57,000 Speaker 2: saw Mary's hand on her midsection. Confusion etched lines on 140 00:08:57,080 --> 00:09:00,800 Speaker 2: his forehead, and bitter betrayal painted his gaze. His world, 141 00:09:01,040 --> 00:09:05,200 Speaker 2: like hers, immediately spun off its axis. Mary's father leaned 142 00:09:05,240 --> 00:09:08,800 Speaker 2: into Joseph and whispered, Joseph, we have just found out ourselves. 143 00:09:08,840 --> 00:09:11,760 Speaker 2: We didn't know, we swear. Joseph's eyes were fogging with 144 00:09:11,800 --> 00:09:15,200 Speaker 2: restrained tears. He looked as if he was going to break, 145 00:09:15,440 --> 00:09:17,160 Speaker 2: but he didn't. Mary. 146 00:09:17,920 --> 00:09:19,720 Speaker 1: He whispered why. 147 00:09:20,440 --> 00:09:23,600 Speaker 2: Mary could barely stand the look of betrayal on his face. 148 00:09:23,960 --> 00:09:26,880 Speaker 2: She tried explaining everything to him, but the story seemed 149 00:09:26,920 --> 00:09:30,959 Speaker 2: too outlandish. Mary's father, a stern and righteous man, made 150 00:09:31,000 --> 00:09:34,640 Speaker 2: his judgment. Joseph, she has wronged you. You have the 151 00:09:34,720 --> 00:09:38,280 Speaker 2: right to punish her, even to stonor if you wish. 152 00:09:38,600 --> 00:09:41,880 Speaker 2: Her words were cutting to Mary's soul. Her own father 153 00:09:42,040 --> 00:09:45,600 Speaker 2: had just permitted Joseph to execute her. Her fate was 154 00:09:45,640 --> 00:09:47,599 Speaker 2: now in the hands of a man whose face was 155 00:09:47,640 --> 00:09:50,800 Speaker 2: about to burst with grief. Joseph's gaze moved from her 156 00:09:50,840 --> 00:09:55,000 Speaker 2: father to Mary, the silent question lingering in his eyes. Then, 157 00:09:55,280 --> 00:09:58,040 Speaker 2: with a wave of anger and despair, he turned and 158 00:09:58,120 --> 00:10:01,280 Speaker 2: walked away. His departure left it shilling silence that hung 159 00:10:01,360 --> 00:10:04,400 Speaker 2: heavily in the room. Mary and her parents were left 160 00:10:04,400 --> 00:10:07,480 Speaker 2: wondering what he would choose. Joseph went to be alone. 161 00:10:07,880 --> 00:10:09,880 Speaker 2: He stormed past the site where he had built the 162 00:10:09,920 --> 00:10:13,360 Speaker 2: foundation for their new home. With sadness weighing heavy on 163 00:10:13,440 --> 00:10:15,880 Speaker 2: his shoulders, he hiked into the hills and watched the 164 00:10:15,920 --> 00:10:19,960 Speaker 2: sun descend over the plains outside Nazareth. Betrayal gnawed at 165 00:10:20,000 --> 00:10:23,360 Speaker 2: Joseph's heart. He stood on the grass inside, watching the 166 00:10:23,400 --> 00:10:26,880 Speaker 2: final rays of light received from view. The sun's final 167 00:10:27,000 --> 00:10:29,760 Speaker 2: rays painted the sky above a lush and vibrant pink. 168 00:10:30,120 --> 00:10:33,520 Speaker 2: Beneath the torrent of Joseph's emotions, there was an undercurrent 169 00:10:33,559 --> 00:10:36,720 Speaker 2: of anger towards God. Have I not been loyal? 170 00:10:37,040 --> 00:10:38,199 Speaker 1: He whispered, I. 171 00:10:38,160 --> 00:10:42,319 Speaker 2: Have toiled to build our home. I have shonne restraint 172 00:10:42,600 --> 00:10:46,240 Speaker 2: and kindness. Pain shot up Joseph's heart and lingered in 173 00:10:46,320 --> 00:10:49,120 Speaker 2: his throat as he spoke. He stood and yelled at 174 00:10:49,120 --> 00:10:49,480 Speaker 2: the wind. 175 00:10:50,120 --> 00:10:52,120 Speaker 5: I did everything I was supposed to do. 176 00:10:52,800 --> 00:10:57,080 Speaker 2: I remained faithful. How you paid you commands? What have 177 00:10:57,160 --> 00:11:00,920 Speaker 2: I done to deserve this? His voice cried, and then 178 00:11:01,160 --> 00:11:04,640 Speaker 2: he crumbled to the ground and wept. A thousand thoughts 179 00:11:04,800 --> 00:11:07,280 Speaker 2: whirled around in his mind as he grappled with the 180 00:11:07,280 --> 00:11:10,599 Speaker 2: reality before him. He was torn between the laws of 181 00:11:10,640 --> 00:11:14,560 Speaker 2: the land and his affection for Mary. His honor demanded 182 00:11:14,600 --> 00:11:18,240 Speaker 2: he react. It is kindness, whispered another path. He was 183 00:11:18,280 --> 00:11:21,960 Speaker 2: at the crossroads of judgment and mercy. Which path would 184 00:11:22,000 --> 00:11:22,600 Speaker 2: he choose? 185 00:11:22,840 --> 00:11:24,120 Speaker 1: Why should I sow mercy? 186 00:11:24,360 --> 00:11:27,640 Speaker 2: He thought? What good has been good done? In the 187 00:11:27,679 --> 00:11:31,080 Speaker 2: depths of his turmoil. Joseph was a just and righteous man. 188 00:11:31,679 --> 00:11:34,320 Speaker 2: Thousands of small decisions to do the right thing every 189 00:11:34,400 --> 00:11:37,640 Speaker 2: day had already forged a character within him. He sighed 190 00:11:37,679 --> 00:11:40,559 Speaker 2: and watched the colorful horizon give way to the darkness. 191 00:11:41,400 --> 00:11:43,640 Speaker 2: The coolness of the evening began to settle over the 192 00:11:43,640 --> 00:11:47,240 Speaker 2: grassy valley below. Joseph closed his eyes and whispered, I 193 00:11:47,360 --> 00:11:50,440 Speaker 2: have made my choice. He would not subject Mary to 194 00:11:50,480 --> 00:11:53,880 Speaker 2: public shame, nor stoke the fires of scandal. He would 195 00:11:53,920 --> 00:11:57,800 Speaker 2: divorce her quietly, mercifully, even as he grappled with the 196 00:11:57,840 --> 00:12:01,319 Speaker 2: shards of his shattered dreams. He chose kindness of a revenge, 197 00:12:01,800 --> 00:12:05,120 Speaker 2: mercy of a judgment. It was a decision that echoed 198 00:12:05,120 --> 00:12:07,960 Speaker 2: the depths of his character and the unwavering strength of 199 00:12:08,000 --> 00:12:11,000 Speaker 2: his heart. The knight was filled with his silent and 200 00:12:11,080 --> 00:12:15,600 Speaker 2: somber resolution. Under the exposed stars, Joseph laid back on 201 00:12:15,640 --> 00:12:18,480 Speaker 2: the grassy slope and drifted off to sleep. 202 00:12:25,760 --> 00:12:30,040 Speaker 3: As a Jewish believer, I am passionate about history, customs, 203 00:12:30,280 --> 00:12:34,280 Speaker 3: and the culture surrounding the biblical characters. You can find 204 00:12:34,320 --> 00:12:37,040 Speaker 3: more resources on Jewish customs and how they relate to 205 00:12:37,080 --> 00:12:40,760 Speaker 3: the Gospel on my website discovering the Jewishheist dot com. 206 00:12:41,840 --> 00:12:45,440 Speaker 3: According to the Jewish tradition of the time, patrol, THEO 207 00:12:45,600 --> 00:12:49,360 Speaker 3: was as binding as marriage. It must have felt like 208 00:12:49,400 --> 00:12:55,600 Speaker 3: a painful betrayal when Mirry revealed that she was pregnant. Mary, however, 209 00:12:55,679 --> 00:12:59,400 Speaker 3: stood firm in her truth, telling the divine message she 210 00:12:59,400 --> 00:13:04,239 Speaker 3: had received. Who resolved in this challenging situation is admirable, 211 00:13:04,679 --> 00:13:08,439 Speaker 3: but it also sets the stage for Joseph's crucial decision. 212 00:13:09,440 --> 00:13:14,520 Speaker 3: Despite his initial feelings of betrayal, Joseph's actions reveal his 213 00:13:14,640 --> 00:13:19,560 Speaker 3: remarkable character. The scripture describes him as a just man, 214 00:13:20,240 --> 00:13:23,960 Speaker 3: implying his righteousness and adherence to the law. However, he 215 00:13:24,040 --> 00:13:28,520 Speaker 3: was also unwilling to disgrace Mary publicly, indicating his compassion 216 00:13:28,559 --> 00:13:32,920 Speaker 3: and mercy at the time, according to Mosaic law, he 217 00:13:32,960 --> 00:13:37,439 Speaker 3: could have had Mary stone for adultery. Instead, he decided 218 00:13:37,480 --> 00:13:42,520 Speaker 3: to divorce her quietly, choosing mercy over judgment. This decision 219 00:13:42,640 --> 00:13:46,040 Speaker 3: was monumental in his personal life and the broader scope 220 00:13:46,080 --> 00:13:52,439 Speaker 3: of God's salvation plan. Joseph's mercy mirrors God's mercy towards us, 221 00:13:53,200 --> 00:13:57,679 Speaker 3: a core theme of the Christmas story. But God, through 222 00:13:57,720 --> 00:14:02,319 Speaker 3: an angelic dream, would soon intervene and ensuring Joseph's understanding 223 00:14:02,440 --> 00:14:07,120 Speaker 3: cooperation with this divine plan. As we reflect on this 224 00:14:07,200 --> 00:14:11,400 Speaker 3: portion of the Nativity story, Joseph's example is both an 225 00:14:11,480 --> 00:14:15,600 Speaker 3: encouragement and a challenge. He stood at the crossroads of 226 00:14:15,720 --> 00:14:19,880 Speaker 3: judgment and mercy and chose the path of mercy, unknowingly, 227 00:14:20,000 --> 00:14:24,120 Speaker 3: echoing the profound mercy God offers to us through the 228 00:14:24,120 --> 00:14:28,040 Speaker 3: worth of Jesus. This Christmas, let us strive to model 229 00:14:28,120 --> 00:14:32,280 Speaker 3: joseph example in our own life. When we feel betrayed 230 00:14:32,400 --> 00:14:36,120 Speaker 3: or hurt, May we have the strength to choose mercy 231 00:14:37,000 --> 00:14:42,720 Speaker 3: over judgment, remembering that God shows mercy for us, gifting 232 00:14:42,800 --> 00:14:48,040 Speaker 3: us a son to guide us toward love, forgiveness, and reconciliation. 233 00:14:48,960 --> 00:14:53,240 Speaker 3: Let's bring our will into alignment with God's will and 234 00:14:53,320 --> 00:14:58,480 Speaker 3: as a result, finding ourselves ascending in the spirit into 235 00:14:58,520 --> 00:15:02,640 Speaker 3: a deeper fellowship with Him. Now, the Christmas story isn't 236 00:15:02,640 --> 00:15:06,400 Speaker 3: only about the miraculous birth of Jesus, but also about 237 00:15:06,480 --> 00:15:08,720 Speaker 3: the people God chose to be part of that miracle. 238 00:15:09,920 --> 00:15:13,200 Speaker 3: Just as Joseph had a crucial role to play, we 239 00:15:13,360 --> 00:15:16,280 Speaker 3: too have a role to play in God's divine narrative. 240 00:15:17,120 --> 00:15:21,720 Speaker 3: Like Joseph, May we be willing to embrace life's unexpected turns, 241 00:15:22,040 --> 00:15:25,120 Speaker 3: bearing in mind that its so doing, we become part 242 00:15:25,160 --> 00:15:31,080 Speaker 3: of God's grand story of salvation and mercy. In our 243 00:15:31,120 --> 00:15:34,560 Speaker 3: next episode, Joseph will be face to face with the 244 00:15:34,640 --> 00:15:38,760 Speaker 3: same Angel that stole Zachariah's voice and herald of the 245 00:15:38,760 --> 00:15:43,240 Speaker 3: coming of Christ. Joseph's loyalty and character will be tested, 246 00:15:43,640 --> 00:15:47,080 Speaker 3: and the journey to the Manger will be underway. You 247 00:15:47,120 --> 00:15:50,160 Speaker 3: could explore more about Jesus in the Old Testament at 248 00:15:50,200 --> 00:15:55,520 Speaker 3: discovering the Jewish Jesus dot com. Also consider checking out 249 00:15:55,560 --> 00:16:00,400 Speaker 3: my recent book, Messianic Prophecy Revealed seems sad in the 250 00:16:00,440 --> 00:16:03,360 Speaker 3: pages of the Hebrew Bible. You can get your hands 251 00:16:03,360 --> 00:16:06,920 Speaker 3: in a via my website now. If this podcast impacted you, 252 00:16:07,320 --> 00:16:09,440 Speaker 3: please take a moment to leave a comment and review. 253 00:16:09,920 --> 00:16:13,400 Speaker 3: Doing so will make sure others discover these life changing stories, 254 00:16:13,920 --> 00:16:16,240 Speaker 3: and be sure to download the Prey dot Com ap 255 00:16:16,400 --> 00:16:20,040 Speaker 3: to make prayer priority and experience the Bible in new ways.