• Home
  • About This Blog
  • Contact Me
  • Subscribe
  • Comment Policy

Attempts at Honesty

Reflections on the interplay of the Bible and Culture

  • Westminster Shorter Catechism Series
  • Sermon on the Mount Series
Home Bible Reflection Joseph the Grinder

Joseph the Grinder

Posted on October 4, 2015 Written by Mark McIntyre 2 Comments


RumorIn sports, a player who is not spectacular but always gets his job done is sometimes called a “grinder.” The grinder can be counted on to do the right thing.

In reading about Joseph in Matthew 1 this morning, the term “grinder” is what came to mind. Joseph could be counted on to do the right thing.

First, when he found out that Mary was pregnant, rather than make a spectacle of her to clear his name, he looked to get the matter resolved privately. (Matthew 1:19)

Second, when the angel explained what really happened, Joseph did what the angel told him to do. He followed through and took Mary as his wife. (Matthew 1:24)

One aspect of small town living is that people know what is happening in their neighbors’ lives. It would have been no different for Joseph and Mary.

If Joseph knew that Mary was pregnant, it would not have been long before the rest of the town would have figured it out. Mary was pregnant before their marriage had been finalized. This was a scandal that would have tongues working overtime sharing the sordid details of what must have happened. Rumors of what had happened would have worked their way through the entire community.

When Joseph decided to do the right thing and marry Mary, he was taking on a lifetime of people whispering behind his back about the timing of Jesus’ birth. Therefore, Joseph became Mary’s husband and Jesus’ father at some personal cost. He willingly bore the stigma of the timing of events surrounding his marriage and Jesus’ birth. The birth would continually have had the stigma of illegitimacy attached to it.

To readers in 2015, this may seem like less of a big deal than it really was. Our culture has a flexible view of marriage and what is permissible before marriage. So we need to work a little to understand how scandalous this really was.

My big takeaway this morning is that Joseph did the right thing in the right way even when no-one else knew or acknowledged that it was the right thing. Joseph was a grinder, getting the job done even when it is not glamorous.

Paul tells us that we are all called to “work out our salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil. 2:12). This means that we are called to do the right thing even when it may cost us something or if it goes against the grain of our culture.

As I consider Joseph this morning, I am encouraged by his example. Are you? Please take a moment and share your thoughts below.

 


Filed Under: Bible Reflection Tagged With: grinder, Joseph, right thing

About Mark McIntyre

A follower of Jesus Christ who shares observations about how Scripture should impact the church and the world. Mark is the original author and editor of Attempts at Honesty.

Follow Attempts at Honesty

Honesty in your Inbox

Path

Along the right paths

I am learning to trust that God can use my choices, even the faulty ones, to bring me to the place he wants me to be. Like a GPS that recalculated the route when I miss a turn, God can bring about his plan without my full understanding or cooperation.

Preaching

Tim Keller on Christian Preaching

Christians are either engaged in preaching or will regularly hear preaching in their churches. While the following paragraphs are written with the intent of challenging preachers, those of us who listen to preaching can also be encouraged by them.

Storm at sea

A Matter of Perspective

The disciples are frantic. Jesus is asleep. The response to the storm is a matter of perspective.

Church Cliche

Let’s not overstate the case – Another cliche to avoid

It is important to think about what we say to a world that needs Jesus. Some of our cliches are not helpful. In this post I consider one and explain why I think this cliche should be avoided.

The temptation of anger in response to militant atheism

The temptation to respond in anger to militant atheism is strong. We should keep several Scriptural principles in mind when atheism strikes.

Post Series

  • Westminster Shorter Catechism Series
  • Sermon on the Mount Series
June 2023
SMTWTFS
 123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
252627282930 
« May    

Categories

Archives

Blogger Grid
Follow me on Blogarama

Copyright © 2023 · Focus Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in