Today I want to look further at Mary and then also take a look at Joseph
and how he handled God's plan for the coming of the Messiah... Last lesson
we looked together at the performance of Mary's faith. She trusted in
the Word of the Lord and acted obediently upon what God had told her through
the angel of the Lord. Because of that, this young lady experienced joy
unspeakable! God had done some great things… What's next for Mary? We're
about to see as we open the Bible to Luke chapter one, focusing in on
verses 46-56:
And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, [47] And my spirit hath
rejoiced in God my Saviour. [48] For he hath regarded the low estate of
his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call
me blessed. [49] For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and
holy is his name. [50] And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation
to generation. [51] He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered
the proud in the imagination of their hearts. [52] He hath put down the
mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. [53] He hath
filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
[54] He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; [55]
As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever. [56]
And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.
No matter what circumstances she was faced with, Mary never lost the proper
perspective of herself as evidenced by this portion of scripture. She
saw herself through God's eyes and not her own. Both her soul and her
spirit glorified God. She was ever mindful of the fact that she was unworthy
in her own right and rejoiced in her Savior alone. That inward rejoicing
spilled forth in the form of praise upon her lips. Mary praised God and
lifted up HIS name, reverently reflecting upon all that He had done and
would do, without one ounce of bitterness toward the way that the Lord
had decided to use her. Though her circumstances were extreme, Mary brought
no attention to herself in any way.
Sometimes we do that, don't we ladies? We look for opportunities to bring
undue attention to ourselves. We become like sports commentators when
we are going through a trial or when God is doing something in our lives
we don't understand or appreciate. It is then that we typically give everyone
around us a play-by-play description of our hardship. We actively portray
our circumstances as living nightmares. Yet Mary exhibits nothing but
praise for God! Not one complaint had been stated, not one word was uttered
about how difficult this could be or how unfair it all was. Not once does
she mention the percentage of suffering she might have to endure because
of God's hand upon her life. Neither is there any “what-ifs” considered
in worrying about the future or how Joseph might react; only praise to
God is given on Mary's behalf! What an example this young woman is for
us! You see ladies; genuine surrender pays tribute to to the name of the
Lord. Is that your testimony of how you feel concerning what God is doing
and has done in your life?
Psalm 72:18 (KJV)
Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things.
As you look down through the preceding scriptures, notice how many times
Mary says, "He hath". Eight different times she points out and praises
God for His power and might. Mary has realized the power of God in her
life and knows that though she does not know what the future holds for
her, she knows WHO holds the future. Understanding permits Mary to rest
in God's power rather than her own, and it is evidenced in her conversation!
Have you come to that realization yet, dear lady? Do you have your own
list of "He hath's" that you could share as Mary did? Has it ordered your
conversation aright?? Mary was ever mindful of the things God had done
for her, considering every one to be wonderful! In her willingness to
yield to God, she gained the guarantee of God's protection, which leads
us to Joseph…
How will Joseph, her soon-to-be husband, handle all this information in
regard to his virgin? Will he respond as reverently to God's plan as Mary
did? The Bible says that Mary stayed with her cousin Elisabeth for three
months until baby John was born and then she returned to her hometown.
Mary has had plenty of time to receive, accept, and rejoice in this plan
of God's, but Joseph has not yet learned of the situation, for Mary has
not even spoken with him yet. Turn with me to the book of Matthew 1:18-25
and let's see how the story continues to unfold....
Verse 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.
Mary and Joseph were espoused, which by law, was the same as being husband
and wife, except the marriage had not yet been consummated. Imagine Joseph's
surprise when his dear Mary returned from visiting cousin Elisabeth three
months pregnant! What a shock this would have been to him, amen? This
woman that he had chosen to be his wife, this woman that he dearly loved,
had been unfaithful to him? How could he have mistaken her godly character?
This is the last thing Joseph probably expected of a woman like Mary....
In Deut. 24:1 scripture says that in such a case, the husband could write
his wife a bill of divorcement and put her out. Is that what Joseph wants
to do?? Let's look further into his character as we continue on into verse
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.
Joseph was a just man, a fair man. Always doing the right thing mattered
to Joseph. I assume this is one of the important qualities that Mary desired
in a husband that had attracted her to Joseph. In this particular situation,
the acceptable thing for Joseph to do would be to put Mary away. Though
he must have been deeply hurt, the Bible says Joseph didn't want to make
Mary a public example. Therefore, he decided to handle the situation privately.
Even while being stunned, surprised and grieved by this turn of events,
Joseph was not yet aware what God was doing, yet he was not unkind in
any way towards his wife. Joseph was a godly man who deeply loved the
Lord and Mary. Hence, there was restraint within his spirit. The love
in his heart dictated the way that he handled even what Joseph thought
to be Mary's error with a gentle kindness; minus any ill will whatsoever.
What a man!
Ladies, how do you handle what you consider to be the error of others?
Do you deliberately seek to make a public example of that person? Are
you quick to expose their faults and rake them over the coals, striving
to punish your offender? A just person would not seek to get even, but
would choose to handle the situation in a manner that would please the
Lord. Joseph sought to do right and his actions were dictated by love,
not by bitterness or hurt or a desire to strike back at Mary...
Verse 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.
In verse 20 we identify another quality about Joseph that is always a
striking quality in a man: the Bible says he thought on things. And so,
Joseph was not a hasty person. Therefore, he gave this situation and probably
all matters serious thought. As he was meditating upon his present circumstances,
Joseph probably drifted off to sleep after lying in bed till the wee hours
of the morning pondering the whole affair from all angles. Maybe he had
been praying for Mary… Perhaps Joseph was wrestling with the fact that
it just didn't make sense that this woman, who contained all those wonderful,
godly qualities a man looks for in a wife, would end up in a staggering
situation as being with child out of wedlock! It was so unlike Mary, so
out of her character. "It just doesn't make sense!" may have been Joseph's
last thought before nodding off. Full judgment had not yet been formed,
leaving him open to the Lord’s leading through a visit from the angel.
Ladies, what do you do when God doesn't make sense? Do you still trust
Him? Do you maintain an attitude of prayer throughout your misunderstandings?
Do you continue on in close fellowship with the Lord? Are you able to
sleep soundly? Because his heart was not bitter, Joseph was comforted
by the angel of the Lord and told not to be afraid to take Mary as his
wife. His fears were dissolved as the plan of God was revealed to his
tender heart. Once again, the Lord took care of all the details for Mary
and even spoke to Joseph, her espoused, on her behalf. This was not man's
doing after all, but the Lord's hand in their lives together! God was
with them both... When a man and woman are united in marriage, they are
one flesh in the Lord's eyes. For this reason, Joseph was given the same
instructions as Mary had been given...
Verse 21-25:
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for
he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that
it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and
they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with
us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had
bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had
brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
Joseph, being a just, godly, man knew well the Scriptures and the prophecies
about the coming Messiah. When the angel of the Lord spoke to him in this
dream, it all made perfect sense to him and Joseph realized his position
in God's plan. He was to be Mary's protector! Joseph rose from his sleep
and did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his
wife. Moreover, he sacrificially waited to consummate their marriage and
knew her not in a physical sense till she had brought forth her firstborn
son. Joseph put his own reasonable desires aside for the Lord's.... Then
he reverently gave the baby the name of Jesus, just as the angel of the
Lord had commanded, proving that he accepted his role in God's plan and
was yielded to whatever instructions the Lord would give him. What obedience
Joseph exemplified!
Why does it take us so long to obey God?? Why can't we just recognize
our role in God's plan and follow through as Joseph did? Why can't we
put our own desires aside and fulfill the Lord's wishes with such humble
willingness? Did you notice that Joseph asked any questions? Was there
any whining done on his part about how unfair it was to have to wait to
come together with his wife till the baby Jesus was born? Were any worries
displayed on his part about the juicy gossip that could spread as he decided
to go through with the wedding? Joseph might even have been labeled a
wimp for not putting Mary out, but what people said did not matter to
him in light of God's will! None of these attitudes were exhibited in
this young man's life, just plain trust and obedience! Praise God! It's
no wonder that God chose this couple to be the earthly parents of Jesus
Christ, amen? Mary wisely selected a good husband...
Oh, how we need to guide and encourage our girls and boys in their choices
of spouses! It will make a distinct difference in their service to the
Lord. I think you'd all agree with me that Joseph had many good qualities
and was a wonderful man. Joseph was Mary's protector, one that God provided
her with as she yielded to His design for her life. Ladies, God will always
send perfect protection and direction along with His plan! No matter what
impossible situation you might be faced with, you don't need to worry
about how it will all work out, for God will look after you and guide
your every step!
Ladies, Mary did not have to go through this surprise plan alone. The
Lord was with her in Joseph, was He not? It was God's plan to protect
and lead her through her husband. Remember that fact the next time you
are tempted to buck your husband's authority! When you do, you are shunning
God's protection and forsaking your own safety. As you read of Mary, you'll
notice she did not have to enter into one battle with anyone for anything!
Joseph took full responsibility for her and for Jesus and was faithful
in his role as their protector and leader. Mary had the easy part; all
she had to do was be faithful to follow. She was guaranteed protection
and safety, as you and I will be when we yield to our Lord as willingly
as she did... There is no blessing when we are stubborn and rebellious
to God's plan and the authority He has placed over us!
Lastly, I challenge you to rise to the occasion of God's calling on your
life and enjoy His Divine protection! The Lord loves you as He loved Mary
and He will not leave you alone as He did not leave her alone! God accompanied
this meek young woman every step of the way and He will accompany you
as well! The Lord is your Great Protector... Have you refused such valuable,
limitless protection only to settle for your own small, limited control?
Have you fought hard against your husband's leadership in the home? Have
you, in your obstinacy and unbelief, blinded yourself to the human form
of God's intended support system? Divine protection is only a step away
- a step of faith away, that is! Take that step and receive God's tender,
personal care today!! Mary did and enjoyed the wonderful, loving, gentle,
kind, obedient, godly security of a good man her whole life long!
2 Chronicles 16:9 (KJV)
For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to
shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward
him....
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2000 Pamela A. Iannello
Revised 2003
