A Change of Plans

“Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid
to take Mary home as your wife.”
Matthew 1:21 (NIV)

I don’t know about you, but other than unexpected gifts, I’m not terribly keen on surprises at Christmas. I much prefer to make my plans early and I want everyone to follow my plan. I don’t like a lot of last-minute changes, bothersome interruptions, worrisome delays, or sudden detours!

Imagine Joseph’s surprise, shock, & disappointment when Mary, his betrothed wife, announced her unexpected pregnancy.  Joseph suddenly isn’t getting the marriage of his dreams. Because he is a righteous man, Joseph intended to divorce Mary quietly in order to avoid public disgrace for both of them.

But Joseph’s divorce plans are also interrupted when God tells him, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife.” (Matthew 1:21)

It isn’t hard to imagine some of the fears swirling in Joseph’s heart and mind: the fear of the sneer; the fear of the shame; the fear of gossip and scandal and maybe even the fear of raising someone else’s child.

By faith, however, Joseph trusts God, believes the impossible, quickly obeys, and takes Mary as his wife. Joseph demonstrates radical faith when he marries Mary; names the baby Jesus, his God-given name; provides for Jesus’ earthly identity, Son of Joseph; protects the child and Mary by escaping to Egypt and returns to Israel to settle his family in Nazareth.

Joseph had a choice. He could choose faith, or he could choose fear, but he couldn’t choose them both at the same time. The same is true for each of us. What has God called us to do today by faith that may interrupt our own plans or schedule? May we follow Joseph’s example, choose faith over fear, and quickly do whatever God calls us to do.

“Only he who believes is obedient and only he who is obedient believes.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer