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1:24). At this point Mary had a husband who was a husband indeed:
a friend, ally, and confidant. Joseph was a godly man who valued
truth over convenience. We know this because now Joseph would
be included in the storm that raged around Mary and her soon-tobe
born baby. Interestingly, it has been 2,000 years since Jesus was
born, and there is still a storm that rages around the truth of who
Jesus is, a storm that some people enter into for God’s sake and
truth’s sake, and that others avoid, usually because they “don’t like
conflict.”
The storm of doubt, anger, and unbelief raging around Mary
and Joseph was most likely the reason why they did not return
to Nazareth after Jesus was born in Bethlehem. They stayed in
Bethlehem for almost a year and a half, until the angel told them
to flee to Egypt to save young Jesus’ life. For their part, Mary and
Joseph had better things to do than try to explain their situation
to unbelieving relatives in Nazareth. They needed to get started
raising God’s Son, who was not only the Savior of the world, but
their Savior as well. There is a lesson for us in how Joseph and
Mary lived, because far too many people waste their lives trying to
justify their actions to angry and unbelieving people who are never
satisfied. Like Joseph and Mary, we need to get about doing the
work of the Lord, and not be distracted by complainers.
A Woman of Self-control
Both Joseph and Mary recognized the tremendous significance
of the birth and pedigree of the Messiah, and the gospel of Matthew
makes it clear that they did not have sexual intercourse until after
Jesus was born.
Matthew 1:25 (KJV)
And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn
son: and he called his name JESUS.
That Joseph did not “know” Mary before she gave birth to Jesus
is a clear statement revealing that he did not have sexual intercourse
with her until after Jesus was born. In today’s world, when it seems
that a large percentage of Christians do not wait until marriage to
have sexual intercourse with their partner, the discipline and focus
of Mary and Joseph stands as a sterling example, showing that if
we really want to, we can follow not only the Law of God, but the
heart of God as well. After all, there was no law saying they could
not have sexual intercourse after marriage, but
both of them knew the obvious: if they had sexual
intercourse, it would give place for others to doubt
that Mary really had been impregnated by God. So
they waited until Jesus was born before engaging
in sex, so there was both a virgin conception and a
virgin birth of the Son of God.
A Woman of the Word
Most Christians do not pay too much attention
to the regulations in the Law of Moses that pertain
to the birth of a firstborn son and the ritual cleansing
and sacrifices that had to be offered afterward.
However, to one who called herself the slave-maid
of God, His Word and His regulations were the law
she lived by. After all, how can you say you love
God and then not do what He says Joseph and
Mary diligently carried out all the regulations in the
Law of Moses concerning the birth of a firstborn
boy (Luke 2:21-24). 7
A Woman of Meditation and Reflection
Just as the world was taken by surprise at
the virgin birth, Mary was herself surprised by
much that happened in the life of her son. She
developed the habit of keeping her own counsel,
treasuring things in her heart, pondering them
and no doubt praying about them. For example,
imagine how surprised she was on the night she
gave birth. She was spending time with her new
family, unnoticed by the world around her that did
not even care enough about her or her royal son
to find them a room in the inn. Their peace was
suddenly shattered by some shepherds who burst
in to see the baby, excitedly telling what seemed to
be a wild story about being frightened by a brilliant
light and seeing the hillsides covered with God’s
army of angels. 8 Very quickly the news spread, and
the woman who had given birth in obscurity was
now being spoken of all over town. Mary was no
doubt surprised by all the commotion, but took in
the things that were going on, treasuring them in
TEACHING OF THE MONTH
Mary, The Mother of Jesus:
Defining True Greatness
(November 2007) Also available on STFonline.org/podcast
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by John Schoenheit
The Sower Nov/Dec 2007 19