What Would You Do? Matthew 1:18-21

Matthew 1:18-21 (NKJV): Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

What would you have done if you were in Joseph’s shoes? He was engaged to Mary. They were going through the betrothal period, or what we may know as the engagement or courting time. During this time, the future husband was to prepare the home for his soon to be bride according to Jewish customs. Even though they did not know each other as husband and wife, living together and even being together, they were considered to be married in a sense. When the new home was finished being prepared, the groom would them call for his bride and they would have the ceremony and then consecrate the marriage.

Joseph was preparing his home for Mary. He was considered to be “just”. He didn’t do anything to disrespect his future wife or their families. He was doing what a future groom was to do. Then he discovers Mary is pregnant.

Can you imagine what he was thinking? How is this possible? They didn’t have intercourse. He though he was marring an upright woman. Now, as he could possibly be thinking, he finds out she was unfaithful. He probably was hurt and disappointed. However, because he was just, he contemplates quietly divorcing Mary, and he would provide for her and her family, so that there would not be any embarrassment to anyone involved. Would any one of us been so quiet about finding out that our future spouse had been unfaithful?

Joseph had every right to divorce Mary. He didn’t have to keep quiet about the divorce. Then, while he contemplates what’s going on, an angel appears to him. Can you imagine how he felt? Here he is getting ready to justly, as far as he knew, divorce Mary and this angel appear and tells him, that what has happened is something that God is doing. How would you have reacted?

Joseph, did not divorce Mary after hearing this message. Instead, he married her and did not have relations with her until after Jesus was born.

Are you able to handle difficult tasks put before you but God? Would you be able to handle something like this that could be and was considered scandalous? It seems because of his Faith, Joseph did. Let’s learn from him.