Belonging (S2) : WK 5 - WED
(Luke 2:1-5) At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child.
Growing up in the church gave me multiple opportunities to read and hear this story. You would think by now I would have considered every angle of the Christmas story having lived this long as a believer and half of the time being a pastor.
But it wasn't until now that I thought about this particular moment in the story of Jesus’ birth. The return of Joseph to Bethlehem. Yes, we understand that there were prophetic implications for the birth of the Messiah and that this moment had to happen. But I think about Joseph at this time.
His fiance, Mary, tells him that she is pregnant and it is by the Holy Spirit. Well that is one option, the other being much more problematic. He is told in a dream that it is true, but who will believe him, especially when it becomes obvious that Mary is pregnant.
He decides to stay with her, and now he has to return to his ancestral home. What popped into my head was this question: Did Joseph have any people that he knew in Bethlehem? Were there family members there that would have been excited to see him come back to Bethlehem after being gone for a while. I’m not sure but it’s not out of the question.
But imagine coming home under such circumstances. I grew up in a culture where this level of scandal would most likely place you outside of the family. If you made such a grave mistake, it brought shame to the family and you were not welcome, especially in church.
That is not the way the family of God is to function. We are all one bad decision away from consequences that could change the rest of our lives. We aren’t immune to making huge mistakes and blowing everything up. But it is in those moments when we need a community that will be there to dust us off, and help us reengage with God and his people and keep walking with Him. This is the kind of community and family that we are seeking to create at Crosswalk, the kind of place where all are welcome, no matter what the issue, mistake, or level of spirituality. So whatever you are going through, know this. You can always come home and be loved well.
Growing up in the church gave me multiple opportunities to read and hear this story. You would think by now I would have considered every angle of the Christmas story having lived this long as a believer and half of the time being a pastor.
But it wasn't until now that I thought about this particular moment in the story of Jesus’ birth. The return of Joseph to Bethlehem. Yes, we understand that there were prophetic implications for the birth of the Messiah and that this moment had to happen. But I think about Joseph at this time.
His fiance, Mary, tells him that she is pregnant and it is by the Holy Spirit. Well that is one option, the other being much more problematic. He is told in a dream that it is true, but who will believe him, especially when it becomes obvious that Mary is pregnant.
He decides to stay with her, and now he has to return to his ancestral home. What popped into my head was this question: Did Joseph have any people that he knew in Bethlehem? Were there family members there that would have been excited to see him come back to Bethlehem after being gone for a while. I’m not sure but it’s not out of the question.
But imagine coming home under such circumstances. I grew up in a culture where this level of scandal would most likely place you outside of the family. If you made such a grave mistake, it brought shame to the family and you were not welcome, especially in church.
That is not the way the family of God is to function. We are all one bad decision away from consequences that could change the rest of our lives. We aren’t immune to making huge mistakes and blowing everything up. But it is in those moments when we need a community that will be there to dust us off, and help us reengage with God and his people and keep walking with Him. This is the kind of community and family that we are seeking to create at Crosswalk, the kind of place where all are welcome, no matter what the issue, mistake, or level of spirituality. So whatever you are going through, know this. You can always come home and be loved well.
- Have you ever made a huge mistake? How did you deal with the aftermath?
- Who has been there for you when your life has blown up?
- What is the biggest need you have that the Crosswalk family can help you with?
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