"The Quiet Man"

 

“The Quiet Man”

 

(This is the first in a series of five postings based on the actions of persons involved in the Christmas story who are often overlooked. But God used each one in a unique way as He entered human history through the birth of His Son Jesus.)

In 1952 Republic Pictures released The Quiet Man, an award-winning romantic drama starring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara. Karen and I researched the reason for the title but were unable to find a definitive answer. Our guess is that the main character, a retired boxer played by Wayne, was guilt-ridden over causing the death of an opponent and kept this secret until near the end of the movie.

There is a “quiet man” of the Christmas story: Joseph. (There are 15 men by this name mentioned in Scripture and only Joseph, the son of Jacob who rose from slavery to be second ruler in Egypt—see his story in Genesis 37-50—is better known.) This Joseph was the husband of Mary whom God chose to be the mother of Jesus, making him His earthly father. Why is he called “the quiet man”? Because the gospels record no words he spoke. But God’s Word suggests he was to be admired for these reasons:

*He was a man of industry who supported his family as a carpenter and taught the trade to Jesus (“Isn’t this {i.e. Jesus} the carpenter’s son?—Matthew 13:55; “Isn’t this {Jesus} the carpenter?”—Mark 6:3).

*He was a man of integrity who loved Mary and didn’t want to subject her to public ridicule when her pregnancy became evident (“Joseph, chagrined but noble, determined to take care of things quietly….”—Matthew 1:19, TM).

*He was a man of faith who, even though poor by the world’s standards, followed God’s law after Jesus’ birth (“They {i.e. Joseph and Mary} offered the sacrifice prescribed by the Law—A pair of turtle doves, or two young pigeons.”—Luke 2:24, PH).

*He was a man of obedience who, in response to God’s angel’s instructions, “…Took Mary home as his wife.” (Matthew 1:24) and “…Got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt….” (Matthew 2:14). His submission to God protected Jesus and Mary so His plan would be fulfilled.

Joseph shows us that meaningful actions are far more important than meaningless words. Let’s put his example to work in our lives to model God’s truth by what we do.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"The Curious Men"

 

“The Curious Men”

 

In a 1598 play dramatist Ben Johnson coined the saying, “Curiosity killed the cat”. It’s crept into our English vernacular as a warning that being overly inquisitive may have bad results. The dictionary I use defines curious as “eager to know or learn”; “excessively inquisitive, nosy”. But where’s the line between seeking appropriate information or just plain prying? Not understanding the difference can have a negative impact on our relationships, reputation and other areas. (See “Need to Know” for an example of an outcome of nosiness.)

One of the accounts surrounding Jesus’ birth involves a group of curious men, generally referred to as the “Wise Men” or “Magi”. Where they came from and how many there were has been the subject of discussion for centuries. We know they came “…from the east….” (Matthew 2:1) but anything beyond this is conjectural. One theory scholars have suggested is that they were Persian astrologers who were familiar with the promise of a Jewish Messiah which had been passed down from the Queen of Sheba as shown by the question, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?” (Matthew 2:2). They had noticed an unusual celestial phenomenon which didn’t fit with their knowledge of astronomy and when they saw it move they wanted to know more (i.e. they became curious). Since Google wasn’t yet available for consultation they followed it. It led them to Jerusalem and eventually to “…the place where the child was…and they bowed down and worshiped him.” (Matthew 2:9-11). It’s estimated that their journey took one to two years. And it’s interesting (and tragic) that the religious leaders whom Herod consulted knew the prophecy of the Messiah’s birthplace (Matthew 2:4-6) but showed no interest in pursuing it.

What can we learn from “the curious men”?

*God uses even pagans (rulers and otherwise) to accomplish His purposes (“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it….”—Psalm 24:1, emphasis added).

*God uses unusual circumstances to communicate His purposes (“For my thoughts and not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways….”—Isaiah 55:8, emphasis added).

*We as God’s people who should know better can miss what God’s saying due to indifference, distractions or biases if we get our eyes off Him (“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus….”—Hebrews 12:2, emphasis added).

The Magi’s thirst for knowledge led to their curiosity over a new light in the sky. May we say with the psalmist, “My soul thirsts for God….” (Psalm 42:2) and remember that “…he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.” (Psalm 107:9).

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"The Compassionate Man"

 

“The Compassionate Man”

 

Years ago I had just arrived at a hotel for a conference and was in the lobby waiting for a friend when a couple stepped up to the check-in desk. The clerk informed them that even though they had a reservation there was no room available. The husband politely but firmly asked to speak to the manager to rectify the situation but I never heard what the outcome was.

About twenty centuries before a young couple named Joseph and Mary had arrived at an inn in Bethlehem after a grueling journey from Nazareth, made even more difficult by Mary’s advanced pregnancy. The manager told them all the rooms were taken but had compassion and offered the only shelter available: a stable (or cave) where animals were kept and in which Jesus was born. The innkeeper didn’t have much to give but (in the adapted words of Jesus), “(He) did what he could.” (Mark 14:8).

One Christmas season I read an article entitled “Missing Christmas” in which the writer cited three examples of those who did: Herod, the religious leaders and this unknown innkeeper. (I heard a preacher deliver a message on this theme shortly after the essay was published—guess he read it too!) But did he miss Christmas? This “Motel 6—Bethlehem” host had no way of knowing his property would be recognized world-wide as the birthplace of Israel’s promised Messiah—he simply sought to meet a need in the best way he could. Wouldn’t it be interesting to know if he ever found this out? I once wrote a Christmas drama, “Benjamin of Bethlehem Thirty Years Later”, describing a possible scenario once he learned the identity of his guests.

What can we learn from this unknown but not unimportant man?

*God often uses unknown people in extraordinary ways (“God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all…so that no one can boast in the presence of God.”—1 Corinthians 1:28-29, NLT).

*God expects us to do the best we can with the resources He’s entrusted to us (“You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.” (Matthew 25:21,23).

*God wants us to have compassion for others’ needs (“If anyone has material possessions and sees {someone} in need but has no pity on {that person}, how can the love of God be in {that person}?”—1 John 3:17).

To whom might you and I show compassion during this season of giving?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

 

"The Contented Man"

 

“The Contented Man”

 

The time of Jesus’ birth was a difficult period for the Jewish people. Their land was occupied by Rome, taxes were burdensome, the priesthood and other leaders were corrupt and many had likely stopped believing that their Messiah would come. But God had always had His faithful remnant (“I will surely gather all of you, O Jacob; I will surely bring together the remnant of Israel.”—Micah 2:12). And into this spiritual wasteland God brought a man who hadn’t lost hope in God’s promise: Simeon. What we know of him is recorded in Luke 2:25-35.

As faithful followers of God Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple when He was eight days old to be circumcised (Leviticus 12:3). They returned forty days after His birth for Mary’s purification (Leviticus 12:4). It was at this time that God’s Spirit spoke to Simeon, “…who was righteous and devout….” (Luke 2:25), directing him to go to the temple. God had previously revealed to him that he’d see the Messiah before he died (verse 26). When he saw the Infant Jesus he knew God’s promise had been fulfilled. He praised God and said, “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people….” (verses 29-31). How long he lived afterwards we don’t know, but his mission had been fulfilled and his hope realized.

What can we learn from this faithful servant of God?

*The Holy Spirit leads God’s people to fulfill His purpose for them (“The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me….”—Psalm 138:8).

*It’s good and proper to praise God in word and song for sending His Son into the world (“Simeon…praised God….”—Luke 2:28; “…A huge angelic choir {sang}…’Glory to God in the heavenly heights, peace to all men and women on earth who please him’”—Luke 2:14. TM).

*God uses senior saints for which I’m thankful that I haven’t aged out (“Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Haran.”—Genesis 12:4).

*God has a purpose for each of us for as long as He keeps us on earth (“…The time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”—2 Timothy 4:6-7).

Simeon died a contented man because he knew he’d seen what God wanted him to see (“…My eyes have seen your salvation….”—Luke 2:30). Have you by faith seen what he saw?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"A Worshiping Woman"

 

“A Worshiping Woman”

 

Simeon (see the previous article) wasn’t the only godly senior citizen in the temple when Jesus, Mary and Joseph came for Mary’s purification in keeping with God’s instructions (Leviticus 12:1-4). Anna, an elderly widow and prophetess, was also present. But unlike Simeon who “…went into the temple….” (Luke 2:27), “She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.” (Luke 2:37). One commentator suggests she had a room there and as a widow was cared for by the Levites in accordance with God’s Law (Deuteronomy 26:12). She’s further identified as “…of the tribe of Asher….” (Luke 2:36), one of the ten tribes which made up the northern kingdom, usually called Israel. They were assimilated by their Assyrian captors after 722 BC and became known as Samaritans. The fact that Anna was always in the temple indicates that her ancestral family remained true to God.

While what she said isn’t quoted it’s clear that she had the same hope as did Simeon. She may have heard Simeon’s words and affirmed that Jesus was the Jews’ Promised Messiah but because she’s called a prophetess it’s more likely that God had spoken to her and now was speaking through her. Her name is the Greek form of Hannah in Hebrew, which means favored. And she certainly was as she told those present that their Deliverer had come.

What are some takeaways from this little known, godly and faithful woman?

*God uses people of advanced age as messengers and servants of His truth (“Moses was eighty years old and Aaron eighty-three when they spoke to Pharaoh.”—Exodus 7:7).

*God gave dignity to women in a culture that put them down and He still honors their service today (“The Twelve were with {Jesus}, and also some women…were helping to support them out of their own means.”—Luke 8:1-3; “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”—Galatians 3:28).

*We can worship and pray at any time (“…The twelve tribes of Israel worship God night and day….”—Acts 26:7, NLT; “Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, and He shall hear my voice.”—Psalm 55:17, NKJV).

Anna’s thoughts and actions were centered around worship, prayer and faith in God’s promise. Who (or what) is at the center of your and my life and attention?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan