Another look at Joseph: the non-speaker who speaks volumes

As our guest writer Jeeva Sam points out below, Mary’s husband Joseph, Jesus’ earthly father, gets short shrift in our yearly Christmas songs and stories. Even scripture doesn’t provide much about him. Yet he did play a crucial role, and as Jeeva elaborates so well, we can learn from his restrained manner. Enjoy and be edified.

By Jeeva Edward Sam

Quick, now, name one well-known carol that mentions Joseph. Better still, take your time, search on Google, Yahoo, MSN, Bing and Ask—the result is the same!  Not one, nada, nil.

Contrast this with repeated references to Mary, as in: “Mary’s boy child”, “Gentle Mary laid her child”, “On Mary’s lap is sleeping”, “Round yon virgin, MOTHER and child”, “For Christ is born of Mary”, “Mary was that mother mild”, and so forth. Even cattle, sheep and assorted members of the animal kingdom get more press at Christmas!

Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. (Matt. 1:19)

Point me to one word of dialogue Joseph is permitted to utter in the script of the Nativity as found in Holy Scripture, or in most traditional Christmas pageants for that matter. Need I say more?

Yet, it would seem that this unheralded man is undeniably part of God’s plan for the early part of Jesus’ earthly life. I find it instructive to examine the brief exposure to his character in Matthew 1:19 (Amplified Version): “… Joseph, being a just and upright man and not willing to expose her publicly and to shame and disgrace her, decided to repudiate and dismiss (divorce) her quietly and secretly.”

When Mary is found to be with child without an assist from her betrothed, a “just and upright man” could have ensured that justice was done by having her put to death or at least by issuing a certificate of divorce. Either action would have been kosher, but Joseph adds mercy to justice as he opts for a divorce with dignity.

Years later, when Jesus was asked by some what he would do with a woman who was caught in adultery (as if it is possible to catch only one partner in the act of adultery, hello?) he would stonewall their bid to stone her to death with the words: “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” (John 8:7) Like father, like son, perhaps?

I cannot help but contrast Joseph’s choice with the way I am tempted to respond when someone hurts me. Ever hear the expression: ‘Hurt people hurt people?’ Out of my hurt, I want to make sure that justice is done and you’re hurt too—at least as much as you hurt me.

I could use any platform available to me—Facebook, newspaper columns, TV, blog, pulpit—to at least shame, if not disgrace or downright destroy you. Or it could be a family gathering over the holidays where amid the toasts, treats, eats and greets, some dormant hostility, buried bruise or interred insult rears its ugly head again, or a fresh missile calls for a decidedly unchristian strike-back.

I could opt to leave lash-marks on the offender, or leave quietly with bite-marks on my tongue instead.

May I, like Joseph, be glad to let my non-speaking role speak volumes.

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Pastor Jeeva Sam and his wife of 41 years, Sulojana Sam (both originally from India) are marriage mentors and authors of The Unbreakable Marriage, where they share details of the process God showed them to "guarantee breakthrough for married couples facing breakdown, often in as little as twelve weeks." (https://thesams.ca/). Jeeva served as a pastor for over thirty-five years (ordained by the United Church of Canada in 1982). The Sams are parents of three married children, grandparents of an adorable baby boy and live in St. Catharines, Ontario. Jeeva welcomes your feedback at theunbreakablemarriage@gmail.com.

Healing prayers needed for Pastor Paul, his wife and son

I’ll tell you just the gist of this complicated story so we can get you praying.

Pastor Paul, his wife Mercy and their youngest son all ended up in hospital after a brutal attack by radical Muslims several weeks ago.

Fifteen days into their hospital stay, they felt they had recovered enough to be released, so asked permission for an early release since they also knew they didn’t have enough money for the hospital bills. They had already pawned Mercy’s wedding ring and a golden chain. And as Pastor Paul says, they “had had no time to waste from our Lord’s work.”

Four days after their release, Pastor Paul and his son unfortunately had to be readmitted due to continuing problems with the internal injuries sustained in the attack. They hope to be discharged within a day or two.

Please be in prayer for these dear people. If you are able to help them with the hospital bills, they would of course appreciate that as well.

Bibles for Mideast pastor and family finally to be released from hospital

In our last post (Bibles for Mideast pastor and family hospitalized after brutal attack), we told you the horrific story of a Bibles for Mideast pastor and his family who had all ended up in hospital after a brutal attack by Islamic militants.  

Thanks to prayer and the grace of our Lord, all are now doing vastly better. The youngest, two-year-old Hannah, seems to have suffered the worst injuries—her little body grabbed viciously from her mother’s arms and thrown away during the attack. She had to be readmitted to the ICU, but a week later was shifted to her mother’s room.

While some internal injuries have yet to be completely healed, doctors plan to discharge the family of six this coming Saturday. This is in fact the second hospital they have been in, having to be moved since ‘infiltrators’ had interfered with their receiving proper care at the first.

The attackers had also destroyed the family’s home, which members of the pastor’s congregation have been busily rebuilding. Even some neighbouring Muslim families have joined in the reconstruction. They had visited the family in the hospital, and Pastor Surcaf and his wife had shared with them the gospel of Jesus and His everlasting love. So most now fully support the pastor, many having even ‘switched sides’, now placing their faith in the living Lord Jesus. While the Imam and other of the local mosque’s authorities are far from pleased, so far there has been no more trouble.

Pastor Surcaf shared the gospel of Jesus with more than his visitors, of course. Fellow patients, doctors and other staff in the hospital all heard the ‘best news possible’ from him … how he and his family turned from Islam to Jesus, and now experience a joyful relationship with God through Jesus—in spite of being persecuted. His message could not help but resonate loudly with all who heard!

Once again thank you for your prayers.

Bibles for Mideast pastor and family hospitalized after brutal attack

Pastor Surcaf, the missionary pastor with Bibles for Mideast who played a key role in our last post now desperately, along with his family, needs the prayers of God’s people.

As we told you in that last post, Pastor Surcaf had prayed for the healing and deliverance of a Muslim man named Bachu, with miraculous results (you can read the story here: Freedom and recovery from both a brain tumor and Islam!).

Bachu had been a key leader in his local mosque, but after his healing and conversion, had quit that position. A few days later, he and his family had taken part in three days of prayer and fasting at the ALG Church of Bibles for Mideast under the leadership of Pastor Surcaf. Then, last Sunday, Bachu and his wife received baptism and attended the church’s Sunday service.

A cross is captured through some ornamental railings in the Fort Kochi area in the state of Kerala in South India. | Getty Images

That, however, proved just too much for the congregation of the local mosque, who considered it a tremendous attack towards the mosque and Muslims in general. So they intended to finish off Pastor Surcaf, his family and his home. The night before last, a group of a dozen or more angry Muslim fundamentalists brutally attacked Pastor Surcaf, his wife and four children, as well as set their house ablaze. The family members are now all in hospital with serious injuries, their home a burnt wreck.

Pastor Surcaf’s tiny congregation are praying and doing what they can to assist the hospitalized family. Please join us in prayer for all of them.

Freedom and recovery from both a brain tumor and Islam!

Bachu*, retired after years of service in India’s central government, came from a long line of Islamic leaders. Since childhood, he had been steeped in the ways of Islam. His wife grew up in a traditional Islamic family as well, and followed the rules to the letter.

Living near the mosque in their village made it even easier for them to be obedient to the many customs of Islam. So on retirement, it seemed natural that Bachu take on the role of President of their mosque’s Jama’ath Committee (similar to a Christian church’s Parish Committee).

One frightening night about four months ago, Bachu’s wife heard him screaming and babbling nonsensically outside in the dark. When she tried to bring him back in, he didn’t even recognize her and kept up with the gibberish. She called relatives as well as the Imam (mosque leader) for help, and all came immediately. When the Imam attempted to pray over Bachu to cast out any evil spirits in Allah’s name, Bachu spit at him, screaming for him to leave immediately. The Imam remained while Bachu continued his shouting and scolding.

Bachu’s wife and relatives, realizing he needed medical attention, rushed him off to hospital where, thankfully, he was quickly examined by a specialist. A dangerous tumor could be seen growing in his brain, and off he went for surgery. All seemed to go well, so in a few days, Bachu was back home to recover.

Two months later, however, he needed to be re-admitted to hospital when his confusion and memory problems returned. Doctors discovered a brain bleed, but decided against further surgery and recommended he simply return home and try to keep resting. They offered little hope.

Pastor Surcaf of Bibles for Mideast, living not far away, heard about the man’s plight from some members of his church. Knowing well our God of Hope, the pastor also knew he had to visit, offer prayer, and share the only ‘hope for the hopeless’ there is.

But when he showed up at Bachu’s home with his assistant, Bachu’s wife had other ideas, and told them rather pointedly to leave. Bedridden Bachu witnessed the scene and surprised everyone by reaching out for the pastor’s hand and placing it on his own head. While his wife remained silent, her expression proclaimed loud disapproval. 

Pastor Surcaf took his cue from the Lord and from the sick man, and began to pray aloud while several of Bachu’s family members stood around and listened in. As part of his prayer, the pastor explained the basics of Jesus’ birth, ministry, crucifixion, death and resurrection … and then delved deeper still, into the healing power of Jesus and salvation for all.

He looked into Bachu’s tear-filled eyes. “Do you believe in Jesus?” he asked.

Shaking his head in agreement, Bachu again reached for the pastor’s hand and placed it on his own head. The kindly pastor prayed now more directly for Bachu’s healing and salvation. When he’d finished, Bachu reached for the pastor’s hand again—but this time, for help in getting up! And with the helping hand, Bachu stood. He thanked Jesus and Pastor Surcaf while everyone else stood by amazed at what they had just witnessed.

For the next two days, Pastor Surcaf and his team visited Bachu, sharing the gospel and praying for him and his family.

Bachu now feels fully recovered, and doctors can find no evidence of the tumor which almost killed him.  We rejoice over this marvelous miracle of healing and salvation. Please join us in praying for Bachu and family and all those who ‘overheard’ the gospel at his home. Bachu’s faith in Jesus matures and strengthens daily. His two children—one a physician and the other an IT professional—are also growing in their faith in Jesus. Please keep them all in your prayers.

The mosque’s Imam and members are understandably upset with what has happened, especially since Bachu has also resigned as president of the mosque’s Jama’ath Committee. More prayer needed all around!
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*Name changed for security purposes