Open and Receptive
Matthew 1:18-22 ESV
“Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
Basically, Joseph and Mary’s marriage was set up by the fathers of the bride and groom, it was an arranged marriage without the consent of Joseph or Mary. A dowry was paid to Mary’s father by Joseph and Joseph began his work on the home to make a place for his new wife. They were essentially married in the year before the ceremony, but they did not live together, they were living in the homes of their parents. Mary and Joseph were probably both teenagers, Joseph an older teen and Mary a younger teenager.
During that year Mary revealed that she was pregnant. Joseph had a choice to hand her over as an adulterous or what he wanted to actually do, quietly divorcing her not to disgrace her or bring her any public shame. Obviously, Joseph and Mary came to love one another, because Joseph did not want to humiliate Mary because of her pregnancy.
I believe God chose these teenagers because He knew their character and resilience under scrutiny. This young man and young teenage girl would get married and walk almost a hundred miles to Bethlehem while she was in her third trimester of her pregnancy. Mary would give birth to her child, away from home, in the lowliest of circumstances and then go on to raise the Son of God. What incredible character.
The key is to be open and receptive to whatever God has for us. To be willing to walk the tough roads without complaining and to accomplish all that God has for us.
Prayer:
Lord, You are the Son of the Most High God, yet You came to this earth in a most humbling way. We are honored by Your presence here on earth. We are honored that You came, not in a palace with pomp and circumstance, but You came to be born where they kept animals and Your earthly parents were counted among the poor. You are a Savior for all, the meek, the lowly, the poor, the sinner and for those who have abundance. You are the King of Kings. You are Immanuel, Amen!