June 24, 2007
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A Devoted Couple
My pastor has been preaching verse by verse from the book of Luke. It’s been SO rich and full of good stuff to encourage us in our daily walk with God! (I can’t wait for Sunday’s!) Today’s sermon was exceptionally interesting. He is preaching from Luke 2:39-50. Pastor Mike is pulling facts out of the text that I had not noticed before which speak about the devotedness of Joseph and Mary to the things of the Lord.
Here are just a few of the points he mentioned today and the previous Sunday..
He emphasized that Joseph was the head of the family therefore it was his responsibility to make sure his family attended the feasts and sacrifices each year. Mary also followed her husband’s leadership and the laws of the Lord by completing the ‘days of purification’ described in Lev. 12:2-8. Once she had completed these days they were to bring the male child to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord and to offer a sacrifice. (Luke 2:22-23) They also attended the Passover each year in Jerusalem.
Pastor Mike pointed out that it was not an easy trek to Jerusalem. First of all, Jerusalem was uphill and it took 3 days and approx. 60 miles to get there. It meant that the family had to take time off of work which may have caused a financial strain. If the wife went (which Mary did) then the other children also made the trip. Can you imagine how difficult it would be to walk or ride for 20 miles a day, uphill, with children and then no hotel to stay in each night? Her meals had to be cooked alongside the road, no bathrooms. They were dusty and dirty with no place to rest during the day from what we read. Mary and Joseph did this at least several times a year out of their devotion to God. They sacrificed their comfort in order to serve God. Romans 12:1 Their devotion to God cost them something.
This is the couple God chose for His Son to be born to. A couple that was full of devotedness to God and His law! They were selfless in their devotion to the things of the Lord.
I thought this morning how little I sacrifice for the Lord in comparison to this couple. I grow weary just in the small amount that I try to do at church (and it’s only 2 minutes from my house!). Shame on me!
Have I piqued your interest?
Would you like to hear the whole message? If so, you can listen to his sermon online:
http://www.stevinsonchapel.com
Click Audio Downloads. Then click 2007/ Gospel of Luke and then wait will it changes pages. Then look for the title, “When God was a Boy, Pt. 1″.
Enjoy!
Comments (1)
Good teachings. Our pastor told us that the Jews tithes 21-23 percent of their income (not sure exact percentage), and part of that income was used to offset the cost of the trip to the festivals.
Heather