God always does everything just right:
There were fourteen generations from Abraham to David, another fourteen from David to the Babylonian exile, and yet another fourteen from the Babylonian exile to Christ. -Matt 1:17
This is Matthews way of telling us Jesus came at just the right time.
The birth of Jesus took place like this. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. Before they came to the marriage bed, Joseph discovered she was pregnant. (It was by the Holy Spirit, but he didn’t know that.) Joseph, chagrined but noble, determined to take care of things quietly so Mary would not be disgraced. -Matt 1:18-19
And this is Matthew showing us he came to just the right people.
Joseph was an honorable man. He took a “single mother” and he chose to love her.
Sure, I think, even though they were set-up in an arranged marriage, Joseph was probably excited. He was getting married. His dreams were becoming reality and he was starting to accomplish a life goal, “start a family.”
Imagine his shock and the hurt he felt, Mary was pregnant! He didn’t know the circumstances, all he knew was betrayal. But God gave him a command, “love.”
God gives us a command, men, “love.” No matter what your wife has done, is she not the woman you thought? Is life different than you planned? Does it seem like you succeed in every area of your life but your marriage just isn’t working? Was she unfaithful?!!! The command is the same “LOVE!!!”
“But what if…” NO my friend, “let EACH ONE of you see that he loves his wife” (Eph 5:33). A love Like Jesus’. Did God send Jesus to die for you because it makes Him happy alone? NO! You know John 3:16, God loved US!!! And you, Love your wife.
Wives, you don’t get off the hook. You need to love your husband by showing him honor. Do you want to be loved only when you deserve it? That would be never (BTW) we never deserve love. In the same way, honor your husband. Don’t undercut him, don’t tear him down, don’t deflate his ego. Honor him, whether he deserves it or not.
Joseph had the option to divorce Mary, he could have had her publicly shamed, or worse! But he didn’t. He was a man of God.
Be the kind of person God uses. Be the kind of person that when others look back at their life, they think God did it just right by bringing you along. Everyone you meet, everywhere you go, loving people as Jesus did, faithful to your mission, Just like Joseph.
