Even Parents with the Perfect Child have problems!
Luke 2:1-7
Dr. Larry L. Thompson (2002)
Introduction:
Today as continue our sermon series entitled Crosspoints we will look specifically at the “Parents in the Pageant.” Our focus will be on Mary and Joseph and remember we are introduced to them early in the second act as we see them coming from Nazareth on their way to Bethlehem where Mary would give birth to the Savior, Jesus Christ. While this story is so well known we must not allow familiarity to breed a mistaken contempt. What I want you to see today is that EVEN Mary and Joseph had bumps in the road they had to deal with. Even the only couple to actually have a perfect child had the curves thrown at them just as couples do today.
As you hear the Word of God today please ask the Lord to impress upon your heart the names of individuals or families that are facing some bumps in the road of life and begin to ask the Lord how He can use this scripture and this portion of the pageant to meet their needs and bring them to the CROSSPOINT of understanding who Jesus Christ really is and what He can do for their life.
Life is a journey, an adventure. Every journey on the road of life can expect encounter some unexpected curves, the dip, or bump or chug hole that seems to knock your life out of balance and causes you to lose direction and focus. It could be anything:
• The medical report you never expected
• The accident you didn’t see coming
• The job that is terminated
• The loss of a longtime friendship
• A rebellious child
• An adulterous spouse
• Unexpected pregnancy
• Losing a baby
• Divorce
• The death of someone you love without warning
• Being transferred to a new location
And this list goes on and on…You begin to see the focus of this message. We all have the unexpected curves that come into our lives. The manner in which we deal with those times determines spiritual victory or defeat.
Mary and Joseph knew about life’s curves. In fact, the Christmas story is a story filled with unexpected events that could never be anticipated.
Let’s examine this journey in the life of Mary and Joseph as we explore how to deal with the unexpected curves on the road of life.
Luke 2:1-7:
“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. [2] (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) [3] And everyone went to his own town to register. [4] So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. [5] He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. [6] While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, [7] and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”
BIBLICAL BACKGROUND OF THE PRINCIPLE CHARACTERS INVOLVED:
Mary…Who she is?
• Cousin to Elizabeth
• Perhaps of the tribe of Levi, perhaps a descendant of David since her mother was from Bethlehem
• Parents were Joachim of Nazareth and Anna of Bethlehem.
• Sister was Salome, wife of Zebedee, mother of James and John.
What was her Character…
• Sexually Pure and Moral
• Woman of Faith
• Found favor with God
• Spiritual
• Obedient
• Willing Servant
• Attitude of Praise
What was her Assignment…
• Give birth to and be the mother of God’s Son.
Joseph…Who is he?
• Tradition says that Joseph was a widower, an older man.
• Taxpayer - Luke 2:1-5
• Common Man
• Carpenter – probably good with details. Measure twice before you cut once.
What was his Character…
• Sexually Pure (Matt. 1:18) “This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.”
• Man of Integrity (Matt. 1:19) – Look at his reaction when he discovered Mary was pregnant.
• Man of Faith
• Sensitive (Matt. 1:19) “Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.” – not a cruel, cold hearted individual
• Level-headed (Matt. 1:20) “But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.”– thought about and reflected on situations rather than simply reacting.
• Spiritual (Matt. 1:20, 2:13) – he had the ability to hear God.
• Obedient (Matt. 1:24-25; 2:13-14) – we see Joseph obeying God immediately. “When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. [25] But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.”
Matt. 2:13-14: “When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream.”Get up," he said, "take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him." [14] So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt.”
• Willing Servant – Willing to obey, not close-minded to something that had never been done before.
What was his Assignment…
• He was chosen by God to be the earthly father to Jesus. He was the man God chose to raise His son.
• He was content to be a role player and not the star attraction.
• So very little is known about Joseph.
What we do know about Joseph is that he was a good example to the men of our day.
World Events: Judea was under the tyranny of Roman rule. Caesar Augustus decreed that there was to be a census and taxation of the entire Roman world. Every one had to go to their hometown to register. In this story of a couple we learn first of all that…
Let’s examine some of the unexpected curves in their relationship.
• An Unexpected Pregnancy
Mary was engaged to Joseph. The marriage customs of the day include three parts:
1. The promise of marriage, which may be broken or informally canceled;
2. The betrothal, which was legally ratified by both families through a covenant (often the prospective husband paid a “bride price” at this time) with an intent to finalize the marriage vows at the appropriate time;
3. The groom went on the marriage day to the home of his bride to bring her into his home.
Joseph and Mary were at stage two, and though the marriage was not consummated, Mary would have been considered to belong to Joseph even though she continued to live with her parents for a year or more after their formal engagement. A formal engagement of a year or more before the consummation of the marriage was not uncommon. Sometimes it was because the bride was too young, sometimes the groom needed the time to establish himself financially.
CURVE #1: DO I SURRENDER TO THE TROUBLE OR STAND IN THE TRUTH?
Before Mary and Joseph consummated their marriage she discovered that she was expecting a child.
Talk about a curve in life! Can you imagine the emotions that Mary dealt with? Here was a young lady preparing for her wedding. She was busy making sure everything was in order and right in the middle of all of this an angel appears with some very astounding news. The angel says, “Greetings…the Lord is with you…you have found favor with Him…YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE A BABY!” Mary’s first thought is, “If this is favor with God, I would hate to be at war with Him!”
In one moment, this brief encounter, her hopes and dreams of the perfect life are, at least in her estimation, shattered:
Most marriage relationships begin with dreams of a perfect life together. An excerpt from an ancient document describing the Middle Eastern custom at the wedding ceremony indicated that the Father of the Bride stands before all the guests and proclaims: “I have hoped, and planned, prayed and dreamed of this life for her; the life that will be lived with a man to love and cherish her forever. With joy I present this daughter, so pure, so perfect.”
That Mary became pregnant before the wedding day has a far more serious consequence because she was formally engaged to Joseph. It seems apparent, comparing the Luke narrative with the text from Matthew that Mary went to visit Elizabeth immediately after the announcement from Gabriel. How Joseph discovers Mary’s pregnancy we cannot be sure; however, she would be at the end of her first trimester when she returned from her visit with Elizabeth. Joseph’s love for Mary is such that though he believes her to have been unfaithful to him; he does not seek any type of financial or punitive retribution which would have been his right under the Mosaic Law. Neighbors in the small town of Nazareth may have assumed that Joseph was the father. However, Joseph, as a morally upright man, cannot marry her and plans privately to write her a bill of divorce which would save Mary from as much public humiliation as possible. (Psalm 31:20) “In the shelter of your presence you hide them from the intrigues of men in your dwelling you keep them safe from accusing tongues.”
• The Appearance of Angels
Talk about a curve! We last saw the angel Gabriel in the Temple informing the priest Zacharias that his prayers had been answered and his wife was going to have a child. Not just any child, but a prophet the likes of none other.
The angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and told her what was happening.
In the meantime, when Joseph discovers that Mary is pregnant, he decides to treat her fairly by not exposing her to public disgrace or even death. He would simply divorce her quietly. But an angel appeared to him in a dream and explained the situation to him. He immediately obeyed the Lord and took Mary home has his wife.
After the revelation Joseph immediately takes Mary into his home as his wife. Mary is in a most vulnerable position with respect to the rest of the village. The villagers no doubt considered Joseph the father of Jesus! (cf. Matt 13:55) “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas?”
While it was wrong to have sexual relations during the betrothal period, there was no formal punishment for it except to advance the marriage date. By taking Mary into his home Joseph removes the social stigma that would have been associated with Mary. He took on the role of protector and provided Godly leadership in their relationship. He is clearly a man of faith and strength. His willingness to obey God demonstrates that he, like Mary, has a servant’s heart toward God and is fully obedient to the call of God on his life.
• The Journey to Bethlehem
Then the event of apparent bad timing occurred – they had to go from Nazareth to Bethlehem to register for a census and taxation. It was too close to the time of the birth of Jesus. Talk about another curve!
Mary and Joseph went together to Bethlehem in obedience to the Roman and Jewish governmental authorities, although Joseph could have probably have registered for both of them. They went together because Mary was in her final three weeks of pregnancy, and Joseph didn’t want to leave her alone with the possibility that the baby might come while he was gone. Luke tells us that she had spent the first three months of pregnancy with Elizabeth. Mary then returned to Nazareth to hear the wonderful news that an angel had appeared to Joseph and convinced him, as Matthew tells us, to marry her, taking her as his beloved and caring for her. They spent the next six months. Joseph made a decision not to consummate that marriage. Now however, he must take his pregnant wife on a very difficult journey of about 75-80 miles to honor the order to register for taxation.
• The Inability to Find Lodging
However, after arriving in Bethlehem from the tiresome journey, there was no place to stay, no place to sleep, no room. You would have thought that God would have at least have provided a confirmed room at the “Holy-Day Inn.” Talk about a curve!
• No One Present for the Birth of Jesus
They were directed to a cave/stable of some sort. And there, in a humble stable – not in splendor – away from anyone familiar – not in the comfort of home – God entered the world as a dependent infant. Talk about a curve! This can’t be used for good and the will of God. This surely isn’t what God wanted to accomplish.
• The Shepherds’ Story
Talk about a curve!
• Simeon’s Prophecy
• Anna’s Words about Jesus
• The visit of the Magi
• The Angel’s visit warning Joseph of the need to escape to Egypt
Talk about a curve! Everywhere you look at this story you see the situation appearing to get worse and worse and without an eternal perspective! Surely God did not intend this. Did they make the wrong decision? Should they have stayed home until the baby was born? Joseph and Mary must have second guessed this entire situation many times during this period of their life. They were faced with a choice in the midst of these curves: DO I SURRENDER TO THE TROUBLE BEFORE ME OR DO I STAND ON THE TRUTH WITHIN ME?
CURVE #2: DO I REACT BY FEELINGS OR DO I RESPOND BY FAITH
Often unexpected curves produce immediate tension and stress in our lives. At those times we find ourselves reacting in anger and rage because we are directed by our feelings and controlled by sinful or selfish actions instead of responding with understanding and patience because we have been equipped in our faith and controlled by His Spirit. What are some of those curves that produce either the fleshly reaction or a faithful response?
1. Personal Conflicts & Tensions:
• Dream vs. Reality: The dream of a perfect wedding vs. the situation of pregnancy under a cloud of suspicion. Talk about tension and stress! The question would constantly be before you, “What are the people saying?” Do you react or respond when you know that you have done nothing wrong but the appearance of a situation lends itself to allowing others to draw a conclusion that would allow ridicule or feed their criticism?
• Legal responsibility of registering and the personal situation of your wife expecting a baby. Talk about personal conflict tension and stress!
• Lodging and Birth of Child – No room for your pregnant wife. Talk about tension and stress!
• Decisions: Do I react and make an expedient decision or do I respond and make the expected decision– What should they do? Do they travel to Bethlehem, away from home, away from the crib Joseph so carefully constructed, away from family and friends? Or do they follow the law away from the security of the midwives they know or anyone to provide the personal assistance?
Talk about Personal Stress and Tension!
2. Political Conflicts & Tensions:
• Jews and the Romans – stress of having to go to Bethlehem. Talk about tension and stress! You are now caught in a political struggle where there is the constant threat of war or terrorism. Sound familiar? It certainly should.
Illustration of Track Team Conversation: (A.S.) a friend shared about getting the report of the terrorist last week being stopped on I-75 and another report that automatic weapon fire broke out at Turkey Creek Nuclear Facility. He described panic in the office. People calling loved ones and home issuing warnings. We live in this environment today. How we respond or react determines the witness we have before a watching world.
Talk about Political Stress and Tension!
Our Personal Application…
In each of our lives, families and marriages, there are unexpected curves in the road – situations we never saw coming – a crisis we never planned for – apparent devastation that we never dreamed would touch our lives.
It seems as though every curve produces tension and stress in our lives. What should we do? What is the right decision? What is the easiest choice? What is the best option before us? What does the Father expect of us?
Our Possible Choices to Make When We Hit the Curve…
1. THE LOGICAL CHOICE:
This is an intellectual decision. That’s what Joseph had decided until the angel came to him in a dream. Isn’t that what we often do – reason it all out before we pray? Weigh out all the options and make a business decision before we seek the will of God or the mind of Christ?
A choice made by our logic is not necessarily a bad thing. But if we neglect seeking the Lord, then we can become our own worst enemy.
2. THE LOVING CHOICE:
This is an emotional choice. This is the choice we make based solely on those we love and what we think is best for them. Joseph and Mary could have made an emotional choice by not going to Bethlehem. They could have loved one another so much and loved the child that was to be born that they could have chosen to simply stay in Nazareth. However, prophecy would not be fulfilled. Prophecy that clearly states the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem. This often seems like the noblest choice to make. But again, if we don’t seek the will of God, then our emotional choice can become our own worst enemy.
Finally, notice choice Mary and Joseph made as they met their curves in life. They followed…
3. THE CHOICE OF THE LORD’S CALL:
At every curve they chose to trust God. They chose to express faith in God.
They chose to honor God and to obey His word they had received. They answered His Call to do the right thing, the ethical thing of following the law, no matter how difficult it might be. They chose to trust God for guidance and provision.
Joseph and Mary chose to express their faith by obeying the Lord’s Call.
• Mary obeyed
• Joseph obeyed
Jesus was born into a godly home.
God continued to lead them on their journey in life. He protected their individual lives, He protected their family and He protected their marriage.
Have there been any unexpected curves in your life lately? Is there tension and stress because of these unexpected curves? Will you choose to make the RIGHT choice, to answer the Lord’s Call?
Will you simply make a logical choice that seems best by the reason of your own mind?
Will you make the loving choice; you choose to make the choice based on your love for those closest to you? A loving choice that benefits those nearest to your heart?
Or, will you choose to seek God, to answer the LORD’S CALL through His word and by the leadership of His Spirit and walk by faith to trust Him?
Here’s the interesting observation:
By answering the Lord’s Call on your life you can absolutely depend on the fact that God will always do what is best for you and for those closest to you. So, if you really want what’s best for all concerned, then there is only one choice, answer the Lord’s call and by faith trust God.
Trust God enough to express it in your public obedience. God will continue to lead you on your journey of life. Yes, there will be more curves but in responding by faith to this curve you are now prepared for the unexpected that may be at the next turn.
Conclusion: Prepare to Pray:
• Think for a moment about the curves that have come your way in the past week, month, year or lifetime. Have those curves caught you unaware and caused a crash in your spiritual life? Your emotional life? Your family life? What does God want to do now in your life? Seek direction from God concerning His will for you. Don’t act outside of His direction, His word and the leadership of His Spirit.
• Has the Lord placed upon your heart the name or names of individuals or families that have met with an unexpected curve? Is this an opportunity to take this scripture and this scene from the pageant to invite them, pray for them and minister to them in a way that God’s will might be revealed to them? Pray for them now, write down their name and commit to making that invitation.
