His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. (Matt. 1:18)
Expanded Passage: Matthew 1:18
It was a cold, rainy night when she made the drop. Years ago, my wife Renee worked at a department store. Her duties required her to make the night deposit at the local bank. Because of the inclement weather, Renee borrowed her brother’s large, thick coat with a long hood. The coat changed her appearance from the kind, gentle, sweet woman my wife is to an imposing, menacing character with unknown intentions. When she walked into the bank foyer, a woman near the teller window observed this hulking creature shuffle in and concluded the worst. The woman screamed and frantically pressed the emergency button to alert the authorities, hoping they would throw her in the slammer. After revealing her true identity and intentions, the fear was replaced with raucous laughter over the misunderstanding.
Appearances can certainly be deceiving. My innocent wife was not a thief, and Mary was not unfaithful. Mary was guilty of nothing. She preserved her virginity while sporting a baby bump. Joseph must have been hurt and bewildered, assuming the worst, but when the angel assured Joseph that this baby was the Spirit’s doing and her conduct was beyond reproach, Joseph was relieved, and trust was restored.
Sometimes we misunderstand God and assign wrong motives to him. Fortunately, the gift of the Christ child cleared up the misunderstanding, vindicating Mary and saving the human race.
Pause a little longer to better understand God’s character and message.
Jim Miller is a chaplain in the Army National Guard. He and his wife, Renee, live in Washington, DC, and enjoy spending time traveling with their two children. Jim recently released his first book, Vitamin T: Essential Biblical Truths for Growing Disciples (WPH).
© 2024 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
