Matthew 1:18 - What a damper on the wedding plans
I have been thinking about these verses for the past couple days, wondering what I would say new about them. Ya, we know it was hard for Mary to bear the shame of being pregnant. We know that Joseph had to be a strong man of God to accept the annointment that God placed on their life.
I spent time researching the name Jesus and if the name was unique to the savior or had been used before. It comes from greek Ieusus which is translated from Aramaic and Hebrew names of Joshua -- meaning God saves. It seems that throughout the Bible names are very symbolic. I couldn't find much out about naming customs, but it seems that God always indicated a prophet or important person when they were given a name. If anyone has more on naming, that would be of interest.
What has ended up sticking with me is -- what a damper on the wedding plans. Imagine, Mary and Joseph. Good young kids all excited about getting married. They've been good and done everything right so that they follow all the customs that their marraige be blessed. Now, out of no where they have this curve ball that throws their whole world out of whack. Not only does everyone look at them like they've done something wrong. But they aren't even allowed to sleep together till after Mary has the baby. All the human joy that accompanied their wedding was taken from them to do God's work. And no one understood. No one could give them practical advice or help them make the "right" decision. No one knew what God was doing.
Some times God pushes us out on a ledge where no one will understand or be able to help us choose what do to. We have to just go with what we know is the right thing regardless of what everyone else says. But the joy that comes is not understandable. It is not human joy or natural joy. It is supernatural joy that springs from being deeply connected with God and his work and his mystery. So the wedding was a bummer, but I'm sure that the home was filled with light.
I spent time researching the name Jesus and if the name was unique to the savior or had been used before. It comes from greek Ieusus which is translated from Aramaic and Hebrew names of Joshua -- meaning God saves. It seems that throughout the Bible names are very symbolic. I couldn't find much out about naming customs, but it seems that God always indicated a prophet or important person when they were given a name. If anyone has more on naming, that would be of interest.
What has ended up sticking with me is -- what a damper on the wedding plans. Imagine, Mary and Joseph. Good young kids all excited about getting married. They've been good and done everything right so that they follow all the customs that their marraige be blessed. Now, out of no where they have this curve ball that throws their whole world out of whack. Not only does everyone look at them like they've done something wrong. But they aren't even allowed to sleep together till after Mary has the baby. All the human joy that accompanied their wedding was taken from them to do God's work. And no one understood. No one could give them practical advice or help them make the "right" decision. No one knew what God was doing.
Some times God pushes us out on a ledge where no one will understand or be able to help us choose what do to. We have to just go with what we know is the right thing regardless of what everyone else says. But the joy that comes is not understandable. It is not human joy or natural joy. It is supernatural joy that springs from being deeply connected with God and his work and his mystery. So the wedding was a bummer, but I'm sure that the home was filled with light.
posted by Sara at 3:00 AM
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