Incredible Faith and Obedience - Mary and Joseph's story

 

Merry Christmas everyone. 

While baking brownies for this evening's gathering, I was listening to this song, "Bread of Heaven" by Leanna Crawford. The song talks of Mary asking God to help her as she walks this unknown path of carrying His son. She wonders if "a wiser one should've had my place". It's a heavy song, and lifts the veil on the truth of some of what Mary's "Yes" to God meant. 

The angel Gabriel had come to her with an incredible greeting, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." Luke 1:28. Mary may have been a young teen, possibly even 14 years old when she was told this incredible news. God had favored her to carry and be the mother to His Messiah. Wow. But what did that mean for her? 

We read in the next part of the story how she went and visited Elizabeth. But do we see the full reality of what was involved in her saying ""Yes" to God? She couldn't have known what would happen when Joseph, to whom she was legally pledged to marry, found out about this. The angel didn't say, "Hey, I just spoke with Joseph and he's okay with this." She made her decision on her own, in faith and in obedience, trusting God and not knowing the full outcome. But what would it cost her? Do we ever look at the sacrifice Mary gave to God in agreeing to His plan? 

I read a devotional recently about how Mary and her mother probably talked over her plans for her wedding to Joseph, excited over all the festivities that it would entail and sharing hopes and dreams of a life as his wife. Yet when the angel appeared, she did not have any guarantee that Joseph wouldn't carry out his legal right to stone her when she was found to be with child. Wow. That is so incredibly brave.   

Our pastor also shared a great sermon recently about how Joseph, who instead of pursuing his lawful right to stone Mary (as was legal in Israel at the time), was merciful and planned to simply divorce her quietly. However, he, too, when an angel of God appeared in a dream, had a choice. Would he believe God and do as God said? Or would pursue "justice" and he get what was rightfully due?  

He did as the angel said, knowing that for both of them, it was not the plan they had envisioned at all. What would their community say? What about the members of their temple? Would they be put out of the temple? We don't often hear about what they went through once they said yes to God. We often just read the next part of the story and don't really consider all they gave up to go along with God's plan. 

It wasn't easy. It wasn't glamorous. There were probably so many questions, so many unknowns, yet they still chose to believe what God said and go along with His plan. It was at times very dangerous.  They really showed incredible resilience, courage, and faith in God to say yes to His plan. 

And God's plan for them wasn't necessarily an easy or comfortable one. The ruler of their country was threatened by the birth of their child, and ordered all infants under 2 years of age be killed. I can't even imagine what that would have been like. Hopefully they were spared of hearing about it as they were safely in Egypt by that time. (Matthew 2:13-18). 

Through it all, God provided for them financially through the gifts of the wise men (Matthew 2:1-12), through direction and guidance in dreams (Matt 1:20-21 and Matt 2:19-21), and through encouragement of  Elizabeth and Zechariah, Mary's relatives (Luke 1:39-45, 56). We never hear about how Mary's or even Joseph's parents responded to the events. Did they give them their blessing? We don't know. 

Sometimes following God can be a difficult road; one that your family and friends may not understand. One that leads you to places that are completely new and unfamiliar, and even really, really difficult. So this holiday season, I invite you to take a closer look at Mary and Joseph. See from their example what courage, exceptional faith, and resilience looks like, and be willing to say, "Yes" to God. Whatever that means. 

He will make a way and give you everything you need to follow His plan. Even if it's incredibly hard. 

Blessings.