Catharine I thought it would be good to spend some time reading and writing about scripture. I’d love to connect with you, as a reader, and hear your thoughts.
What stands out to you in this passage?
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:
Matthew 1:18-25 ESV
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.
For me personally, here’s what stands out:
- Joseph was willing to risk social rejection, and even the appearance of having had extramarital sex, to wed Mary and obey God . (I prefer the term “extramarital” to “premarital”, as “premarital” seems to assume people will get married). He believed when the angel told him that the baby was conceived from the Holy Spirit. I can only imagine that must have changed the way he saw Mary.
- The implications of Jesus being “God with us” are so profound. It occurs to me that Jesus is the answer, and the savior to everything broken in humanity. So many social issues- gun rights, abortion politics, feminism and gender norms/ roles, the role of government and the role of the church, sexuality and marriage are often fought for with vigor… yet there is no social fight that will fix everything if/when it is won. We all need hope, and Jesus is the only place our hope can be fulfilled. Nothing in the world compares- no president, political party, or “freedom” defended is anything near approaching the one who is “God with us.”
How do you personally connect with the knowledge that Jesus is God with us?
There are certainly times when our emotions and our circumstances are overwhelming and in those times platitudes do not make much difference.
As I frequently hit those moments I have a certain basis for speaking. At those times Romans 8 is the key along with Colosians.1:15-20.
Meditating on Jesus and his decision to give up heaven to rescue us humans puts things in perspective. Praising Him because He freely chose to do that gets my mind off me and my weakness, then and only then will the promises of Romans 8:28 and after become real. I have found that truly meditating and stubborn agreement in spite of circumstance leads to genuine praise. That praise breaks through anything going on in my biochemistry and soul.
Your questions are good ones. Keep on searching.