When opening a door, do we give any thought to what is on the other side? We turn the knob and enter. A simple process. How much thought goes into opening a door toward good decision making? This kind of door can be a path to better opportunity or a path to a not-so-good decision with negative consequences. To make the first few steps with confidence, stronger faith is often required. Sometimes opening such a door becomes a decision based on what is strictly the right thing to do. In such decisions, how do we get to the point of understanding what is the right choice? There was once a man named Joseph who faced such a challenge.
For Christians, four weeks of Advent signify a time of spiritual cleansing and other preparations leading up to Christ birth. Joseph’s preparation started much earlier with Mary’s unexpected pregnancy. At the time, Joseph and Mary’s arranged marriage was in the first of two stages-the betrothal stage. As understood, both practiced Jewish law regarding marriage which does not allow consummating the arrangement until the latter stage.1 When a child is conceived before the appropriate time, to the public and religious authorities, adultery is considered the obvious cause. To dissolve the arrangement, seeking divorce was the only legal choice for Joseph.
Joseph was faced with choosing a door towards his own escape or trusting God to offer a door and path beyond his own initial understanding. What questions and answers did he face from the public? What possible answers did he seek from God, and more importantly, Mary? I imagine Joseph’s initial thoughts and approach to solving this for himself would be no different than our own approach today. Perhaps, Joseph sought quiet solitude as well as experienced feelings of confusion and anger? What would be your self dialogue? Who would you talk to about such a dilemma? Eventually Joseph had his questions answered. Text from the book of Matthew brings into account Josephs dream encounter with an Angel of God explaining simply, “Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for she has conceived a son which is from the Holy Spirit.” Could this have been the point where he really questioned his own faith?
Joseph did not want Mary to face harsh lawful penalties which accompany the charge of adultery, nor did he want her to face public ridicule. He also realized marriage and fatherly support for this child might bring lifelong ridicule upon himself. Regardless, Joseph chose to obey Gods command, becoming a husband and an adoptive father to Christ. No matter how much Joseph may have questioned and sought understanding on his own, he eventually chose to stick with a principle to trust God’s plan. As Isaiah prophesied in Old Testament writings, the New Testament text from Matthew gives an account of Joseph’s commitment for years to come.
Joseph must have been a rightous man who spent much time in study and prayer. At first, he might have felt that his only partner was himself. As his faith grew, he realized his partners were Mary, God and the Holy Spirit. As a result, he embraced a faith much greater than his own and brought the whole family with him. During Christ childhood, this very commitment and Godly faith provided protection and guidance to those God intended. He trusted God, opened the door and embraced the purpose. Where we clearly see and understand God’s presence to be in our own decision making, may we choose similar approaches which bond us together and open doors to creating a family of faith.
1 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_views_on_marriage
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