Luke describes Christ’s birth for us in Matthew:
“Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found to be pregnant by the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, since he was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly.”
— Matthew 1: 18-19
First, Mary is betrothed to Joseph, and now she’s pregnant. Second, Mary is pregnant without any physical relationship. And we’re reading the story of Joseph’s confusion. He wants to do what is right, but what is right?
We think in terms of right and wrong, but the world is much more complex. If Mary’s baby is his child, the community will condemn both of them.
Even worse, if the child is not Joseph’s, the community will condemn Mary and laugh at Joseph. There is no good way out of this dilemma.
Maybe we need to know a bit more about betrothal and marriage in that day and time. It was a two-step process including “kiddushin” or betrothal and “nisu’in” or marriage. But understand that betrothal wasn’t an engagement but legally binding contract between a man and woman who were then considered husband and wife.
It began with the groom's gift of some value as he declared his intentions saying, “You’re consecrated to me.” There would also be two witnesses and a “ketubah” or marriage contract which defined the obligations of the groom and protections for the bride.
For the next 12 months, the bride lived at home with her parents while the husband prepared the house and demonstrated his financial stability.
It also ensured clean lines of inheritance, because they were not living together, any child conceived after they moved in together would clearly be their child.
There is the problem.Mary is pregnant before they’ve moved in together.
Joseph is confused and hurt — and maybe a bit angry.
Then God steps into the story.
“But when he had thought this over, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a Son; and you shall name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”
— Matthew 1: 20-21
And now, during this new year, you and I have the same problem Joseph had, “Can we trust God?”
Charles “Buddy” Whatley is a retired United Methodist pastor serving Dawson Street Methodist Church in Thomasville, Ga. With wife, Mary Ella, they are missionaries to the Navajo Reservation. The Christian is in this world but not of this world. (John 15: 19) They use the things of this world but no longer desire the things of the world. (1 Corinthians 7: 31) Their desires are met and they are completely satisfied through their faith in the invisible Christ.
James H. Cagle is a Ray City resident who pastored several churches for a total of 11 years. Email him at pastorjameshcagle@ yahoo.c om.
