Matthew 2:19-23
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Sit comfortably and breathe deeply for a few seconds before you begin. As you breathe in, say the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
Read Matthew 2:19-23 noting God’s continuous care for Mary, Joseph, and Jesus.
The Bible is an epic story in which God continually speaks to people. God spoke the world into existence, God spoke to Abraham, Moses, Deborah, Gideon and Daniel among others, and God spoke to a young Israelite woman named Mary who gave birth to the Word of God made flesh.
In this passage, God speaks to Joseph in dreams. But God speaks to people through the Holy Spirit in many different ways.
Have you ever had an experience of “hearing” from God through Scripture, another person, a dream or something else? Stop to remember and share your thoughts and feelings about this with Jesus.
Read Matthew 2:19-23 again noticing Joseph’s raw, human emotion.
Sometimes God speaks to us through our common sense, and this seems to be what happens with Joseph. He is legitimately afraid to go back to a place where the child Jesus might be noticed by Herod’s son, and he is wise to pay attention to his legitimate fear.
Negative emotions are not sinful until we lean into them to the point that they take our focus off of Jesus. When we feel discomfort, sadness, or fear, it is wise to notice and name the emotion we’re feeling and then explore the source of that emotion in conversation with Jesus.
Joseph trusted God’s goodness and providence and continued listening to God in the midst of his fear. And God led Joseph and his family to a safer place.
Stop to consider how your emotions might be signals that if recognized and examined might open you up to God’s guidance. Ask Jesus about this.
Take one last look at the last words of today’s passage: “This fulfilled what the prophets had said: ‘He will be called a Nazarene.”
Notice how the plan of God unfolds through the actual physical and emotional life of Joseph.
What do you sense Jesus saying to you through the story of Joseph today?
What action or actions do you believe you should take in response?
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The Everyday Jesus Follower’s Guide ebook can help you learn how to recognize God's voice, how to read and understand the Bible, how to develop deep spiritual friendships, and how to become the person you were meant to be. Use it alone, with a friend or in a small group.
