A Just man or just a man?

As usual this time of year, I read the story of the birth of my saviour over and over again. I personally enjoy comparing the stories written in the different gospels and getting a better grasp on the whole picture.

Last Wednesday night I preached about the Cast of Christmas characters. When we reached Joseph, there was such an incompleteness in my spirit that I have felt compelled to visit him again this morning. I am especially intrigued by Matthews description: Matthew 1:18-21

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
KJV

Joseph was described as a "just man." I'm not sure that the term really synchronizes of what we think of as justice.

If I had been Joseph, my thoughts would have been filled with rage. Hurt, anger and other horrible human emotions would have stopped any "mercy" immediately. I would have been concentrating on how to "get even". Joseph was different. Here was a man who thought he had been done very wrong by his sweetheart--and yet his thoughts were focused on how he could deal with this in a way that brought as little shame to the one who had wronged him as possible.

This bespeaks a very tender and forgiving nature, and a willingness to take the high road of mercy.

We get ourselves ready to enter a New Year. One of the things most of us pray for is renewed vision and spiritual revival. Maybe we need a dose of Mercy. Joseph had 2 supernatural visitations. Both of them came as he was contemplating mercy, wondering how he could shield Mary from what he couldn't help but believe was the consequences of sin.

This I do not believe to be a coincidence.

If you want the visitation of the miraculous, fill your mind and focus your thoughts on His mercies, which are new every morning...and also upon what opportunities might come for you to show mercy.

The old prophet Micah heard from God regarding what the Lord required of him, namely to do justly, love mercy,and walk humbly with God.

Everybody loves mercy when they are in a position to need it. That doesn't really mean you love mercy; it just means you love yourself.

The acid test for whether or not you truly love mercy comes when you find yourself in the position of deciding whether or not to grant it when you have the upper hand and someone else needs mercy.

Are you a Just man (woman)? Or "just a man" (or woman)?