Episode 66 :: David Wilkinson :: The Light that Pierces the Chaos
In this episode, we’re continuing our journey of unpacking the lives of the people in the Christmas story, and I’m talking with my friend, fellow word lover and podcaster, David Wilkinson. David and I just dive head first into what the Bible shares with us about Joseph, his radical obedience, and mind blowing faith, but we also talk through how it all potentially could have gone down, based on cultural context and just being a human, and a new Dad. There were so many potential ripple effects of his and Mary’s choice to believe God, but the Light of the World came into a chaotic world and that is really good and encouraging news for us. When we miss how crazy and chaotic that moment of His entrance was, we miss how relatable this story is. Jesus didn’t just come to bring relief to a dry and weary land, He came to conquer the grip of death on it and redeem us once and for all.
Friends, I want to tell you something. I don’t want to beat a dead horse, but I want you to know that I know this year has been hard. Maybe it was hard before the pandemic even began, and you know I can feel that. But I want you to hear me, as risky as it is to believe that there is goodness and peace to be found here. It is possible in Christ.
Maybe your vision of Him has been shaken.
Maybe you’ve never really thought about Him being hard to follow before.
Maybe you’ve never wanted to follow Him before, but you’ve got nothing left to lose.
He. Is. Worth. It. The people in this story, which isn’t just a story, it's our HISTORY. It's just as true as the events we read about in history books. The risks they took, had life altering choices involved. Life and death decisions on the line. And it wasn’t all tied in a bow, but the presence of God broke into their chaos and His peace, His presence, His joy was the gift. Don’t shy away from the hard stuff, look for the activity of God in it. You are not too much for Him. Take heart and remember He can see past the shadows of this chaotic season.
*Our Advent series intro music is by Chris & Stephanie Teauge of Out of the Dust. We’re so grateful for their generosity in allowing us to share their song “O Come, All Ye Faithful.” Listen on Spotify to the rest of this song and the remainder of their Christmas EP here.
*Sponsor and Outro music is from audionautix.com
*This episode was sponsored by : Tony Crabtree of Crabtree Homes with Exit Realty Listeners can go to www.crabtreehomestn.com to connect with Tony, and also connect with him for advice and current trends on his social media:
Facebook.com/tonycrabtreehomes
instagram.com/tonycrabtreehomes
youtube.com/c/tonyteaches
*References:
-our reading of Ruth episode
-our reading of Esther episode
-wassail (what is it exactly?) lol :: Wikipedia says “Wassail is a beverage of hot mulled cider, drunk traditionally as an integral part of wassailing, a Medieval Christmastide English drinking ritual intended to ensure a good cider apple harvest the following year.”
-Word Biblical Commentary :: If you are divorced within the betrothal, the automatic assumption was adulterer. Adultery’s punishment was stoning
-After Dumbledore’s fall, and Professor McGonogall raises her light and the others follow
-Francine Rivers’ The Lineage of Grace series // Mary’s is called Unafraid
-Being a righteous man is not just about following the letter of the Law, its also about being a man of mercy and compassion. (From Bible Readers’ Companion)
*Scripture References:
Luke 1 - Zechariah’s story
Hebrews 6:18, 13:8- God is still who He says He is
Matthew 1 -Joseph’s story is mostly found here
-- angelic dream #1 (Matthew 1:20-23)
--angelic dream #2 (Matthew 2:13-15)
--angelic dream #3 (Matthew 2:19-21)
--”is warned in a dream”- doesn’t specifically say from an angel, but Divine intervention/direction was involved! (Matthew 2:22-23)
Luke 1:26-38- Mary’s angelic encounter
Matthew 1:1-17-Joseph’s lineage
Matthew 1:24-25 - Joseph takes Mary home
Luke 2:1-7 - they are still only betrothed
John 10:10 / Hebrews 10:23/ Hebrew 12:12-13-Life with Christ is worth holding on to
Luke 1:45 - Blessed is she who believes the Lord will fulfill his promises to her.
Luke 2:25-35-Simeon tells Mary He will pierce her soul (and reveal many hearts)
Psalm 127:3 - Children are an inheritance from the Lord
Hebrews 12:2- For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross
Matthew 2:1-18- The Magi come to Herod, and then he fixes his eyes killing children
John 8:12- He is the Light of the World
Isaiah 9:2 / John 1:5 / 2 Corinthians 4:6- He is the Light that pierced the darkness
John 1:14 /John 1:51/ John 10:30- He came fully God, and fully man
Psalm 16:11 / John 16:33 / John 3:16 / John 15:9-17 His presence brings joy, hope, peace, love
Philippians 1:6- He will complete the work He began
Luke 19:10 / Colossians 1:13-14- He came to restore
Romans 8:31-39-We are more than conquerors in Christ
1 Corinthians 15:58- Nothing is wasted
Luke 2:8-20-The angels appear to the shepherds
Luke 2: 25-38-They receive the word from Simeon and Anna at the Temple
Exodus 4:10- Moses wasn’t a good speaker
Judges 6:15- Gideon was the least in his family and his tribe
Matthew 5:13-18 / John 15:5 -Submitting to the fact that the light doesn’t come from us
Revelation 1:12-20 Lampstands of the churches holds the Light
2 Corinthians 5:20- We are the ambassadors of Christ
1 Corinthians 12 / Romans 11:29-31-He is using our gifts
2 Corinthians 12:9- His power is made perfect in His weakness
2 Corinthians 4:5-13- Jars of Clay
Isaiah 53:3- Jesus was the man of sorrows
John 11:30-44-Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus
Hebrews 4:15- He is able to sympathize with us
1 Corinthians 13:12- We now only see in a mirror dimly
Matthew 13:55 / Mark 6:3 Our King is a son of a carpenter
John 2: 1-11- Jesus’ miracle at the wedding at Cana
John 19:25-27 - Jesus’ care for his Mother while on the cross
Mark 3:20-35 / John 7:1-13- confrontation with Jesus’ siblings
Matthew 1:19- It says he was a righteous man
John 14:27- Jesus’ peace
Connecting with David:
Connecting with Emily and Simply Stories Podcast:
Instagram (Em life // Podcast Life)
Facebook
Twitter
Blog