He Really Loved Her

Good Morning DT readers! OK, for my writing today, I'm gonna be writing about a guy by the name of Joseph. Only, at this time, I'll be writing about a different Joseph. I won't be writing about the husband but I'll be writing about Joseph from the Bible. I can think of three Josephs in the bible so, just to be specific, I will be talking about Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus.  Time to dive in!

As I've said before, I know many people probably know about Joseph. He was a pretty cool guy! He and Mary were arranged to be married. Here is something interesting you guys probably didn't know. From pastor Greg Laurie he says"

"This arrangement was a little different than engagements of today. According to the rabbinical writings, there were two stages in a Hebrew marriage. The first, known as the betrothal period, was as legally binding as marriage. If at any time during this phase of marriage either person violated their vows, a formal divorce was required to nullify the marriage. Mary and Joseph were legally married, and during the approximate twelve-month period of their betrothal, they had no physical relationship and lived in separate houses. The second stage was the wedding ceremony, which lasted for seven days."

So, yeah this man was probably head-over-heels in love and was planning on marrying Mary. Then, something pretty bad, yet pretty amazing happened.

As I said before, Joseph was head-over-heels in love and was going to marry Mary. Joseph was pretty much set on his decision until this. So, Joseph and Mary were loyal to the Lord so they did not have the "S word " until later.  We know this because Jesus had siblings.  Yup!  It's in the Bible, look it up!

In the early stages of their betrothal to one another, Mary discovered something. Mary was pregnant.   But how can that happen if they didn't even have the S word? I'm thinking Joseph was pretty much heartbroken and the thought of divorcing her quietly came to his mind.

Then the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 1:20.

Now, both Mary and Joseph knew that what Mary was carrying in her belly.  It was the Son of God and he was going to save people from their sins!  Would anyone of us do what Joseph did and be that forgiving? I'm thinking that would be difficult for a lot of people. However, who knows?  Remember, with God, anything is possible, right? The bottom line was Joseph really loved Mary. Joseph was an obedient child of God. Joseph and Mary agreed with God's plan.

This makes me think about some instances where people really did anything for "love."  I remember during the early stages of my relationship with my husband, I kind of think of it now.  Joe really chose to work for my love. He lived on the Northside of Chicago. I lived on the Southside of Chicago. In the 90's, we used to refer to far distances as "bufu" Sorry, that was just a random thought. Wow, those were the days!

Anyways, what I'm trying to make you guys see and realize is this. When you really love someone, it's like the view of the rest of your life is clouded and surrounded from top to bottom with a picture of that loved one. Why don't we make that picture of Jesus?