Warriors Arise: April 20, 2022
1 Peter 4:1 (NKJV) Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,
I was sitting in church Sunday morning and a thought ran through my head, "Do you think He had it easy?" Of course, Sunday, we celebrated our living King, Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Son of man and the Son of God. He never refers to Himself as the Son of God, only the Son of man. We know Jesus is God. This can cause us to think He didn't ever have difficult days. He just floated through each day with ease and prestige, but that couldn't be further from the truth.
Life was not easy for Him. He went through some very difficult times. We never hear of his earthly father, Joseph, after Jesus turns twelve and they returned to Jerusalem to find Jesus.
Luke 2:41-48 (NKJV) His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. 43 When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it; 44 but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day's journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45 So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. 46 Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. 48 So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.”
After this, we do not hear of Joseph again. Did Jesus lose His earthly father? I believe so. This is why when He is on the cross He puts John in charge of taking are of His mother. We read a few times where Jesus is teaching and His mother, brothers and sisters want to speak to Him. However we never heard of His father, Joseph wanting to speak to Him.
Honestly, I can't imagine Joseph and Mary's level of anxiety. They have been on the run since Jesus was born. They finally settled back in among their people, the children of Israel, but they still know who Jesus is. They know what was prophesied over Him. I would imagine they studied the Scriptures and they know what He is going to go through, the sufferings He would experience for the sin of mankind. They were His parents. Joseph would protect Jesus with his life. Jesus didn't need protection from what He was put in earth to do. He needs prepared for His calling not protected from His calling.
Father, the calling You have on my life is beyond what I can truly comprehend. However, when I see from Your perspective, the calling You have on my children's lives I have to step back and step into Your presence. I need You to guide them, open doors no man can shut. I need You to protect them where I can't. I need You to call them into a deeper relationship with You where they know Your voice and have the passion to follow You. I need You to take them where I can't. You desire more than I for each one to fulfill their God-given destiny. I pray for Your passion to fulfill their destiny to burn inside of them. I pray they stay the course, prepare themselves and move forward with You in Jesus' name amen.
A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,
Veridee Joy Hand
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