When you read the Bible you first must choose which lens you will use. Is the Bible a collection of stories about God? Is the Bible the authoritative Word of God? Do you look for the literal truth so you can apply it to your life? What lens do you use when you read the Bible?
My lens is actually a line from a song: “When you can’t see His hand; trust His Heart.” That lens is revealed by Joseph in our reading for today. When he learned Mary was pregnant he had several choices. He could have had used the Bible to have Mary killed, or shamed as he publicly divorced her. But he chose none of those options. He chose to not harm Mary, to not abuse, expose, shame, ridicule, or demean her value and dignity. He chose to protect her. Where did he get such a notion that was so counter cultural to his times? It was his lens.
Matthew’s lens for reading and studying scripture was the nature and character of God. When Joseph could not see God’s hand in the circumstance of Mary’s pregnancy, Joseph trusted God’s heart. Joseph teaches me to put on my spectacles of the grace, goodness and love of God before I begin to read the Bible.
Through this lens I look at the genealogy of Jesus in the opening verses. It includes prostitutes, adulterers, murderers, and idolaters. Through these imperfect people God was able to preserve His promises and prepare the way for His Messiah. This is good to remember for the times when I have departed from God’s will. I need to remember that God is always working to keep me on track with his purposes. How about you? What lens are you using?
What does today’s reading reveal to you about God?
What does it reveal to you about yourself?
Think about what God wants you to do or remember about this passage.
Does God want you to change anything in your life?
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