Jesus is out of this world

Imagine the most unbelievable, unthinkable, incredible, outstanding event, activity or occurrence that you can conjure up with your mind. It could be an impossible feat, an unattainable goal, or a wishful thought. But instead of this just occurring in your imagination, what if it actually came to pass? What would you do? How would you act? Who would you tell?
This exactly would have been Mary and Joseph’s predicament. The messiah, king of kings, savior of the world, was to be born ….to them. As a virgin, Mary’s chances of being pregnant were nil. Joseph a devout Jew bound by God’s law would have nothing to do with an apparently illegitimate child. Yet, somehow, despite the impossibility of the virgin birth, and it’s social acceptance, Jesus was conceived and eventually born to Mary. This was the indeed the greatest miracle of all, God, divine, incarnate, born as a baby to a virgin, to save us from our sins. As grand as this event was, it should not be underestimated how significant Jesus’ earthly parents were in the process. These extraordinary young adults responded in simple but radical faith.
Faith, is a God given ability to believe in something supernatural. Without faith it is impossible to please God, and faith is representative of our willingness to receive from a loving father. When I choose to have faith in God, I decide to believe in a system diametrically opposed to what I am used to. The kingdom of God is intentionally contrary to that of carnal humanity. Or maybe it is more accurate to say the worldly system opposes God’s way by satanic design.
Thus, when Joseph in Matthew 1, decides to accept Jesus as his son, by marrying Mary, he was demonstrating faith that is otherworldly. Unknowingly he was making a statement that still resounds loudly thousands of years later - God is bigger than the human mind and will never be comprehended. Joseph demonstrated his faith in God by choosing to place his reputation, future, and destiny in His hands. He could have been mocked, shunned and even ostracized because he protected Mary, yet he ignored the natural inclination to protect his ego, and faithfully walked towards his Godly convictions. He truly believed in Jesus as God’s son, and was willing as it were to “stake his life on it”.
I am inspired by Joseph. I believe he is a hero of faith that we often don’t hear about. As Mary and Joseph were pioneers in accepting Christ, every brave new believer follows in their footsteps, when they invite Christ into their life, despite the criticisms of family and friends. Let’s face it, Christ is out of this world. He truly is. He came from another world, lived in ours, was unaccepted, and thus was crucified. He will never be popular. As you and I choose to accept Christ for the first time, or each day, by doing his will we will never be popular to the world, but we are blessed according to our father in heaven, and we are well pleasing unto him. Stop looking for worldly affection, and decide to trust God. Don’t depend on earthly means, or worldly gain, but instead trust in kingdom provision. Fix your eyes on heavenly things, and embrace the true and full Christian life that is yours in Christ.