Testimony of Obedience
The incarnation of Jesus Christ is beyond our human understanding. Yet, God does reveal certain things about that incarnation event. And it is a nice, neat story. Mary was betrothed to Joseph and she was pregnant by the Holy Spirit.
Joseph was informed of the coming Child and did exactly as instructed by an angel. Well, it was not quite that smooth. Joseph took Mary to be his wife, but Matthew 1:18-25 reveals a three-step process that led to his obedience in marrying her. First, he faced a problem—“before they came together she was found to be with child.” (v. 18) Mary was betrothed to Joseph and she was pregnant. He knew it was not his child. In that culture, he could choose to have her stoned to death; or he could simply end the relationship by divorce. Of course, Mary could still be punished as an unwed mother. What a dilemma Joseph faced! And what about his love for his future bride? How much time do you give God to solve your problems? How long do you wait before you take matters into your own hands? Second, he received the solution—“take Mary as your wife.” (v. 20) Now that was a totally different choice. Not stoning to punish her sexual immorality; not divorce to save his reputation, but God’s will: going through with the marriage as part of the plan. Joseph received confirmation by the angel that no sin had been committed by his fiancé. When you wait for God to solve your problem, the solution is much better than any you could ever think of. Third, he followed the plan—“he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him.” (v. 24) Joseph chose obedience with limited understanding: obey God first, understand why later. Peace is only found centered in God’s will. We can struggle with what we don’t understand. We can receive help from God in that struggle. But we must choose to obey the solution when it is revealed.
Sin cera, Erik
Erik O. Garthe is Associate Pastor at Canton Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland.