An Intimate Moment with Mary and Joseph

One of the first things that struck me as I read the Scripture verses [Luke 2:1-7] was how, if we aren't careful, we might miss the sovereign working of God through the lives of the "big wigs" [big government officials] down to the "little people" [the Innkeeper, Joseph and Mary] who humbly obeyed the Lord.

Caesar Augustus is the 'big government' which issued the decree which helped bring Joeseph and Mary to Bethlehem. It was a fulfillment of prophecy from Micah 5:2. And, I see Joseph's character was such that he was obedient to the laws.

As Joseph is going, so goes Mary. Her character shows that she was obedient, too. And most notably, she wasn't a complainer. (I will share with you right now that I AM a complainer and I certainly was during my pregnancy!) Can you imagine being that close to your due date and having to ride a donkey for 70 or 80 miles? Along with her compliant attitude she exhibited trust and flexibility. What a special time for them to share together as they travel and arrive in Bethlehem.

The twist in all of this is that it was the pagen authority, who was responsible for bringing Jesus to Bethlehem. Caesar unknowingly becomes the servant of God's purpose. The promise is fulfilled through the actions of the unlikeliest of people. It goes to show, that indeed, God is Lord of all the earth and there is no power not under His authority. In fact, it brings to mind the verse in Proverbs 21:1 "The king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD, He turns it wherever He wishes."

Then they arrive at the inn and there is no place to stay. I would dare say Mary was feeling the labor pains after riding the donkey for several days. As the author describes how difficult the birth would be for both the mother and the child he makes this statement, "For every royal privilege for this son ended at conception." Imagine the Creator of the universe humbling Himself to become what He had created. That brings to mind the verses in Philippians 2:6-8, "...Who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man. He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." Christ voluntarily assumed the limitations of a human body and human nature. He limited His power and knowledge. Amazing!

The next part which really spoke to me was, "And so, with barely a ripple of notice, God stepped into the warm lake of humanity. Without protocol and without pretension." Think of what all takes place when we install our president. Yet, here is God Himself, arriving in the world. This family, this couple, had been hand selected by God the Father to be the human parents, the caretakers and nurturers of Christ, the Creator of the universe.

Finally, in the author's prayer, and I quote, "...your birth has to teach...that divine power is not mediated through strength, but through weakness; that true greatness is not achieved through the assertion of rights, but through their release; and that even the most secular of things can be sacred when you are in their midst." The world doesn't think this way, probably can't even understand this type of thinking. Again, I am seeing humility and obedience surfacing to the top. God the Father required both of His own Son. How much more humble and obedient should we be? How much hardship and inconvenience am I willing to endure to be used by God?

Here we are witnessing the submission of Jesus Christ, God the Son, to birth!! Think on that!! So what could happen when I [and you] submit myself, in humility, to others? To my husband? To my established government? To God's movement and directing in my life? I need to be just like Mary and Joeseph, who were two "little people", I must live each day by faith in humility, trusting God who is in charge of the overall "big" picture.