What jumped out at me in these passages was all the angelic messengers and all the fulfilled prophecies - what an amazing contrast to the last 400 years of silence! For us, reading the Bible, flipping from the OT to the NT takes a second - but those 400 years must've felt like a really long time. Can you imagine - that would be like us having heard nothing spiritual since the 1600's!
After all this wait, God made sure that those who needed confirmation received it in the form of angelic messengers - Zechariah, Mary and Joseph. The amazing heavenly display for the shepherds in the fields is almost beyond imagination - it would make our northern lights look like nothing in comparison.
But mostly I am struck by Joseph. So little is said about him, and yet his was such a difficult position to be in.
From my Life Application Bible....
Joseph was faced with a difficult choice after discovering that Mary was pregnant. Perhaps Joseph thought he had only two options: divorce Mary quietly, or have her stoned. But God had a third option - marry her. In view of the circumstances this had not occurred to Joseph. But God often shows us that there are more options available than we think. Although Joseph seemed to be doing the right thing by breaking the engagement, only God's guidance helped him make the best decision. But that did not make it an easy decision. Consenting to marry Mary surely cast doubt on his own innocence regarding the pregnancy as well as leaving them both with a social stigma they would carry for the rest of their lives. Yet Joseph chose to obey the angel's command. When our decisions affect the lives of others, we must always seek God's wisdom and then be willing to follow through no matter how difficult it may be. (emphasis mine)
Some might say that anyone would obey if an angel appeared to them and told them what to do. But the truth is, not everyone would. There were some serious repercussions to Joseph's decision to marry Mary, but he was a man of integrity and honour. He had character. And he was obedient to God despite the personal cost to himself.
Can the same be said of us?
Tomorrow's passage: Matthew 2:1-23, Luke 2:41-52, Mark 1:2-8, Matthew 3:1-12, Luke 3:1-18, Mark 1:9-11, Matthew 3:13-17, Luke 3:21-22
For less flipping read Matthew 2:1-3:17, Luke 2:41-3:18, 21, 22, Mark 1:2-11
2 comments:
He and Mary were so unique, I think, in their willingness to do ANYTHING God asked of them. I've always wished we knew more about Joseph, too.
I so agree. He is so honored by God to be the human father figure to the God in flesh. Mary was honored, but so was he.
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