The Journey Of Mary & Joseph Series

· Elizabeth’s pregnancy

Mary then went to see her cousin, Elizabeth, who was expecting a child in her old age (John the Baptist).

Talk about a curve! But, together, Elizabeth and Mary confirmed the will of the Lord.

· The appearance of angels

Talk about a curve!

We last saw the angel Gabriel in the Temple informing the priest Zacharias that his prayers had been answered and his wife was going to have a child. Not just any child, but a prophet like none other.

The angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and told her what was happening.

In the meantime, when Joseph discovers that Mary is pregnant, he decides to treat her fairly by not exposing her to public disgrace or even death. He would simply divorce her quietly. But an angel appeared to him in a dream and explained the situation to him. He immediately obeyed the Lord and took Mary home has his wife.

After the revelation Joseph immediately takes Mary into his home as his wife. Mary is in a most vulnerable position with respect to the rest of the village. The villagers no doubt considered Joseph the father of Jesus (cp. Matt 1355). While it was wrong to have sexual relations during the betrothal period, there was no formal punishment for it except to advance the marriage date. By taking Mary into his home Joseph removes the social stigma that would have been associated with Mary. He took on the role of protector and provided Godly leadership in their relationship. He is clearly a man of faith and strength. His willingness to obey God demonstrates that he, like Mary, has a servant’s heart toward God and is fully obedient to the call of God on his life.

· The journey to Bethlehem

Then the event of apparent bad timing occurred – they had to go from Nazareth to Bethlehem to register for a census and taxation. It was too close to the time of the birth of Jesus. Talk about a curve!

Mary and Joseph went together to Bethlehem in obedience to the Roman and Jewish governmental authorities, although Joseph could have probably have registered for both of them. They went together because Mary was in her final three weeks of pregnancy, and Joseph didn’t want to leave her alone with the possibility that the baby might come while he was gone. Luke tells us that she had spent the first three months of pregnancy with Elizabeth. Mary then returned to Nazareth to hear the wonderful news that an angel had appeared to Joseph and convinced him, as Matthew tells us, to marry her, taking her as his beloved and caring for her. They spent the next six months. Joseph made a decision not to consummate that marriage.

· The inability to find lodging

However, after arriving in Bethlehem from the tiresome journey, there was no place to stay, no place to sleep, no room in the inn. Talk about a curve!

Surely God did not intend this. Did they make the wrong decision? Should they have stayed home until the baby was born? Joseph must have second guessed himself many times that night.

· No one around for the birth of Jesus

They were directed to a cave/stable of some sort. And there, in a humble stable – not in splendor – away from anyone familiar – not in the comfort of home – God entered the world as a dependent infant. Talk about a curve!