So much of the Christmas story centers not just around Jesus, but also around Mary, Jesus' mother, and rightly so. She was selected to be the mother of our Savior. In the first chapter of Luke, the angels tell Mary "you have found favor with God" and "you are highly favored". We would be remiss if we did not give Mary the honor due her.
I am sure that Mary was in a state of wonder at how she could be pregant knowing she was a virgin. She knew she had not had relations with Joseph or any other man. She also knew that there was a child growing inside of her. The only explanation available to her was such a miracle as described by the angel. While abortion was practiced in ancient times, it was not condoned by the Jewish faith. Since Mary was obviously a very righteous girl, to her an abortion was most likely not an option. Therefore in practicality, Mary did not have a choice but to see the pregnancy to its fruition.
While Mary's faith was amazing, I find Joseph's obedience to and faith in God just as amazing. Take a look at the events through Joseph's eyes. Engaged to be married. Looking forward to the wedding night. All that pent up adolescence sexual energy. The longing. The anticipation. The cold showers. Then the news.
"Joseph, honey. I don't know how to tell you this, but I am pregnant."
"Who were you with?! Was it Thomas from the tent shop?"
"No, I haven't been with another man."
"Unless my Torah instructors were WAY off base, something doesn't add up here."
"Uh, well. . .I was overpowered by the Most High."
(Laughter of derision.)
"No, really. I promise."
Silence.
"Oh, by the way, my baby will 'reign over the house of David' and 'his kingdom will never end'."
Scene ends with Joseph slamming the door and taking a long, angry walk.
The scripture notes that Joseph "had in mind to divorce her quietly." You can't blame the guy. Impregnanted by the Most High. Yeah, right. Only a fool would believe such a story. Nothing in Joseph's life could have prepared him for such news. There was no precedence for such a happening. No spontaneous pregnancies as a reference point. Yet, that was what he was being asked to believe from this teenage girl. Joseph couldn't wrap his head around such a story, so divorce was certainly warranted and logical in his mind.
18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”—which means, “God with us.”
24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.
What I find most amazing about this passage from Matthew is verse 24. "When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded. . ." No consulting with a rabbi. No conversations with a trusted friend. No wet fleece, dry fleece tests. Just immediate, complete obedience.
Did he still have lingering doubts? Did his imagination get the best of him at times? Did his commitment to Mary waver? Most likely. But the bottom line is God spoke and Joseph acted. His obedience was immediate and complete.
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1 Joseph had faith in God. Not Mary. Not his own thoughts and feelings. But in God. That is where all our faith should be rooted.
What I find most amazing about this passage from Matthew is verse 24. "When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded. . ." No consulting with a rabbi. No conversations with a trusted friend. No wet fleece, dry fleece tests. Just immediate, complete obedience.
Did he still have lingering doubts? Did his imagination get the best of him at times? Did his commitment to Mary waver? Most likely. But the bottom line is God spoke and Joseph acted. His obedience was immediate and complete.
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1 Joseph had faith in God. Not Mary. Not his own thoughts and feelings. But in God. That is where all our faith should be rooted.
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