Greetings
Here’s today’s Holy Nougat
“Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 1:18 NRSV
Engaged and with Another’s Child … hmmm; sounds like the title of a reality show somewhere. And unfortunately, there are those who could qualify with ease, for men are not the only ones who cheat on their partners. The difference is in the way they are treated.
During the inter-testament era (that is – between the time of Malachi and the birth of Jesus), many Jews had become secularists in response to the shock of being exiled and visibly outside of God’s favour. However, the laws remained the guide for order, hence the laws regarding a woman’s morality (especially in regard to her purity) remained in effect. Yet, there were women who violated such laws (in the Jewish canon, there is the story of Gomer, Hosea’s wife, who seems to not only have been a temple prostitute, but is also reputed to have committed adultery multiple times. Instead of invoking the law, Hosea kept repurchasing her; symbolizing God’s love for us), so Mary’s apparent indiscretion would not have been entirely strange.
What was strange, and probably would still qualify as strange today, was her explanation. It was so unexpected that one would either accept the truth of her claim; or seek the most severe punishment for ‘calling the Lord’s name in vain’ – a punishment that could also have meant death for the offender.
How would you have responded if you were Joseph’s kin? Mary’s kin? A friend to whom they came for advice? What is our response now when our children, girls, young ladies, and even older women are found ‘great with child’ and there is no father coming forth? I agree, the context is different, but inherent in Mary’s story is God’s appeal for us to affirm the one who has God’s gift of life flowing, rather growing in her womb.
Mary’s gift was a one-time lasts for a lifetime guarantee from God. But the God who guided Hosea and Joseph is the same God Who guides you and me in grace, favour and love.
Is God calling us to be different from our cultural norm today?
Perhaps it’s time to listen …
In Christ’s love and grace . . .
