1. Joseph of Bethlehem
The Journey

2. This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 1:18-25 (NIV)

3. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,
Matthew 1:18-25 (NIV)

4. “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
Matthew 1:18-25 (NIV)

5. All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
Matthew 1:18-25 (NIV)

6. When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
Matthew 1:18-25 (NIV)

8. Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
Matthew 1:18-19 (NIV)

9. Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.
Hebrews 12:15 (NLT)

10. LOVE VS. JUSTICE

11. “When our ability to love is greater than our need for justice, we joyfully suffer.
When our need for justice exceeds our ability to love, we responsibly withdraw.”

12. For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it?
1 Peter 2:19-21 (NIV)

13. But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
1 Peter 2:19-21 (NIV)

14. The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.
Proverbs 22:3 (NIV)

15. “When our ability to love is greater than our need for justice, we joyfully suffer.
When our need for justice exceeds our ability to love, we responsibly withdraw.”

16. Joseph of Bethlehem
The Journey