The Sunday Mail
MERRY Christmas to all the faithful followers of this column. This week we celebrate Christmas as we remember the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Pastor Tinashe Zinyemba
lt is very easy to lose the essence of this season. In other parts of the world they have stopped calling it Christmas and the season is now called Happy Holidays, all of this is to water down the importance of our Lord Jesus Christ.
As much as we know that Jesus was not actually born on December 25, we as believers should still uphold the day as we remember the sacrifice of giving made by our Heavenly Father. Today we focus primarily on Mary and Joseph. They were looking forward to a bright future. In fact, this young couple was engaged and was planning their wedding.
We all know the story of how Mary got pregnant and gave birth to Jesus miraculously in a stable somewhere in Bethlehem. I want to draw your attention on who Mary and Joseph were and why I think God chose them (young as they were) to be the custodians of the saviour of the world. Let us start with Joseph.
Joseph is a very interesting character. I say this because of the way the Bible introduces him in Matthew 1 v 19.
This verse comes soon after Joseph learns that Mary is pregnant yet he had not slept with her. The first thing that strikes me about him is that he was a principled man to the extent that he did not fool around with Mary before they had tied the knot. If you are reading this and you are a young man or woman, I challenge you to stay pure before God and to keep a clean conscience.
If you have already indulged, tough as it might be, do all you can to stop and live right. Trust me the benefits far outweigh the few moments of pleasure.
Second, the Bible says that Joseph was a “just man”. That speaks to his character and credibility. It means that he had a good name in society, it reveals that even though he had his weaknesses, he did all he could to be a good man before God and man.
The world we live in is quite harsh. Corruption and moral failings are everywhere. The world actually celebrates the corrupt and immoral man. As much as you are living in these times, do all you can to be just and true to yourself. God will find a way to make room for your prosperity.
Third, this verse also says that even though it appeared as though Mary had hurt him by breaking his trust, Joseph chose not to retaliate in a similar fashion. This young man was level headed.
No matter how tough the year has been or how disappointed you are by a situation in your life, stay level headed. Get some wise counsel, cool off a little. Find a better way to blow off the steam and hot blood that has built up in you.
Even if you were heartbroken, do not debase yourself by bad mouthing the other party because you become worse than the person who hurt you. Believe me, I know it is tough.
Personally I have had people talk behind my back. I have been accused of things I have not done on numerous occasions. I have been cheated on business deals and it cost my reputation, I can go on and on. I would get so emotional back then. But as I grew in the Lord, I learnt to hold my peace and slowly but surely, the pain melted away.
Something would always happen to make the situation better. I am not saying be a door mat and let everyone push you around, you just need to have a level head. Never return evil with evil. If you do that, you would be cursing yourself and blessing the other person.
Finally, even though it is not mentioned in Matthew 1 v 19, Joseph was a carpenter. In other words, he worked for a living. He was a young man who understood that there are no free rides in life. He was willing to put an effort and work his way to the top. It is unfortunate that there are many young men and women who are choosing the easy way to the top.
Bribes, cheating, blackmail, sexual favours and so forth. Do all you can to occupy yourself productively because an idle mind is the devil’s workshop.
Till then, God bless.
Tinashe Zinyemba is a pastor with New Life Covenant Church. Email feedback at [email protected]
