Trusting God With Everything, Pt.2

Over the next three months, Mary grew in her confidence in what the Lord had told her.  She was to be the mother of the Messiah.  Mary  also grew in her confidence  to take care of an infant thanks to her mother and cousin’s examples.  John was a loud baby, with a cry that Mary was sure drew attention from everyone in the neighborhood.  Mary’s size also grew and it was quite apparent on her small frame that she was expecting a child.  There would be no hiding it from the townspeople in Nazareth when they returned.  Every day she waited for some sort of message from Joseph that said he was going to still marry her after he had heard from God.  Every day, it felt like this hope was deferred more and more.  Mary wished that there was something she could do, but it all came back to her Mother’s words: “We are going to have to wait on Joseph to see where God leads his heart.  Trust God to lead him to the right answer.”

Meanwhile, back in Nazareth, Joseph engrossed himself in his carpentry.  He tried to make time and pray and ask God for guidance about Mary.  Often it became difficult as he would try to logically solve the problem.  He knew that virgin women couldn't get pregnant.  He also knew that he had kept his vow of purity.  Then how could Mary be pregnant?  Unless she had a relationship with another man.  Mary was young and beautiful, it wouldn't be inconceivable that it could happen.  Joseph knew that if he married an unfaithful woman now, he would pay later on.  He knew that it wasn't God’s best choice.  That left only two things; either have Mary publicly stoned when she returned or to send word to her that he was breaking the engagement.  If he sent it to her while she was in Jerusalem, Joseph thought that perhaps she could stay there and make a life.  He decided that he would send a messenger with the word in the morning and then take her dowry back to her father’s house.

As Joseph ate his evening meal, he felt very restless.  He finished eating and then went to sleep.  It took him a while to fall asleep and it too was restless.  In his fitful sleep he had a dream. A large man who was covered in a powerful bright light appeared to him.  “Joseph.  Joseph,” said the man.  “I am an angel of the Lord.  I have a message from the Most High God for you.  Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife as you have planned.  What she told you was the truth.  The child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.  He will be a son and you are to name him Jesus because he will save the people from their sins.”

The next day, around early evening, a messenger came running to the house of Elizabeth in Jerusalem.  “Hello, I’m looking for Mary from Nazareth, house of Eli. I have a message for her.”  Mary stepped out into the dusk.  “This is her.”

“Mary, I've been sent to you by a carpenter named Joseph of Nazareth.  He says to come home quickly because he believes and he cannot wait to marry you and become a father to Jesus.”