First Day on the Road

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David. Luke 2:4 ESV

Often I lie awake the night before a trip turning over in my mind whether we have enough food, clothing, and money for the days ahead. As Mary and Joseph gathered their belongings for Bethlehem, they had practical concerns to deal with also. How would they safely bring their tax money along roadways where thieves laid in wait? Who would give them a place to stay? Should they return to Nazareth?

Amazingly in spite of so many things they could have worried about, we don’t hear one single complaint from either one of them. But Mary and Joseph we

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re not some kind of super-heroes. The Bible is quite clear that they were just ordinary people who put their trust in God. They had questions just as we do. Mary wondered how she would become pregnant without a man. Joseph considered whether Mary was the right woman to marry. Yet they traveled together on a difficult road in peace because they had taken their questions and fears to God.

In what ways are you fearful about your future today? Do you wrestle with some doubts about God’s plan for your life? If you long to travel boldly, first bring God all your questions and then trust His answers. God knows the why and where of the road ahead.

Who is This?

Who is this? What a very strange question to ask after all that they had already seen. When they saw water changed to wine, the blind seeing, and bread multiplied, they thought they knew who Jesus was. But when they were delivered from death it dawned on them that they had missed entirely on who they were sailing with.

When Jacob asked, he was not told.

When Moses asked God said , “I am!”

When the disciples asked Jesus brought them safely to the other side of the sea.

Who is this to you and me? He is the master of any storm, Alpha and Omega and the Good Shepherd who gives His life for His sheep!

Peace

The best part of being at the beach this afternoon, was not jumping in the water to cool off, but feeling the breeze quiet my heart and mind. It has always intrigued me how Jesus never said that the world did not offer peace. He only said that the peace He gives is different (and way better) than what this world can offer us.

It’s not that the peace we can find on this earth is always bad, but rather it is always temporary. We had to come home from the beach, tomorrow we go to the doctor and then come blood tests and then come bills and on and on. The peace that calmed my heart for a moment at the shore will be forgotten but God’s peace rests on the unchanging truth of His word. His promise of life, forgiveness and rest for my soul stretch on past the horizon of eternity. Peace more sure than a river and broader than all oceans is available any time and any place in the person of Jesus Christ.

 

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