36-38 Mary Joseph on the Run:Master Galley - Plain Truth Ministries

JOSEPH—ON THE RUN
by Grant Corriveau
We also need to draw from our
own experiences and Spirit-led
imaginations to discern how the
people in the story might behave.
Also, remember that while we view
these events in hindsight knowing
the outcomes, the original cast of
the Nativity Story had no such advantage.
They were real people
struggling through real issues
while following a very real God—
just like us.
“I’m pregnant, but I’m still a
virgin!”
When I read the Nativity Story I
immediately wonder how <strong>Mary</strong>’s
family reacted to the news of her
pregnancy and the divine source.
Did they believe her I doubt it.
Her claim would sound delusional
bordering on blasphemy! Even
worse, they must face the shame of
breaking the news to <strong>Joseph</strong>, realizing
that the entire community
will eventually find out. This is not
just a complication—it’s a disaster.
They know the penalty required by
law for adultery is death. 1
Matthew 1:19 tells us that <strong>Joseph</strong>
is “a righteous man,” which means
he takes the law of Moses seriously.
From within our post-modern culture
we easily miss the drastic
dilemma he faces. Will he choose
to keep the law or violate it Author
Matthew J. Marohl, in his
book <strong>Joseph</strong>’s Dilemma, 2 makes a
compelling case for the danger
<strong>Mary</strong> faces from <strong>Joseph</strong> should he
choose strict adherence to the law
and denounce her.
But even if he divorces her quietly
and <strong>Mary</strong>’s “indiscretion” is not
immediately exposed, she is still at
risk. Sooner or later word will leak
out. When honor is a family’s
prized possession and a daughter’s
chastity a precious commodity,
heaven help anyone suspected of
violating it. There are always
zealots at hand who will consider
it their religious duty to purge
their community through honorkilling.
3 Sadly, such murders still
happen today.
A United Nations Population
Fund report states that, “Throughout
the world, perhaps as many as
5,000 women and girls a year are
murdered by members of their
own families, many of them for
the “dishonour” of having been
raped…. 4
Thankfully western culture today
is more gracious, but I remember
oseph chooses to risk his life and reputation
J to save <strong>Mary</strong> and her child. Ironically, the
very baby who would become grace for us all
was first himself saved by grace.
homes for unwed mothers were
common only a generation ago. 5
Unmarried pregnant daughters
were routinely whisked away and
the child was given away for adoption
to avoid shaming the family.
Things are still extremely difficult
for unwed mothers in some cultures
today. 6
First Century Justice
If we doubt the vehemence of first
century middle eastern justice, we
should recall that thirty years after
his birth, pious enemies of Jesus
would bring before him a woman
caught in adultery, reminding him
of the penalty (John 8:3-4). Stoning
could be applied suddenly and
passionately for many crimes. Jesus
himself was almost stoned (John
10:32, Luke 4:29)—once by being
thrown off a cliff (an alternate
method) while preaching in
emember that while we view these events
...rin hindsight knowing the outcomes, the
original cast of the Nativity Story had no such
advantage. They were real people struggling
through real issues while following a very
real God—just like us.
Nazareth. 7 He even warned his
own disciples: “a time is coming
when anyone who kills you will
think he is offering a service to
God” (John 16:2).
While <strong>Joseph</strong> wrestles with his
dilemma he experiences an angelic
visitation which begins: “Don’t be
afraid…” and presents a shocking
third alternative, “…take <strong>Mary</strong>
home as your wife….” I wonder at
<strong>Joseph</strong>’s courage and faith. Even
with God’s assurance that the child
was of the Holy Spirit and <strong>Mary</strong>
was no adultress, he had many reasons
to be afraid. If his neighbors
believed he had sexual relations
with <strong>Mary</strong> before the appointed
time, harsh penalties still applied.
Some early church writers describe
<strong>Joseph</strong>’s decision this way:
“So <strong>Joseph</strong> determined to conduct
himself now by a higher rule than
the law. For now that grace was appearing,
it would be fitting that
many tokens of that exalted citizenship
be expressed.” 8
“…<strong>Joseph</strong> got up from his sleep
and praised the God of Israel, who
had given him this favor. And so
he began to protect the girl.” 9
<strong>Joseph</strong> chooses to risk his life
and reputation to save <strong>Mary</strong> and
her child. Ironically, the very baby
who would become grace for us all
was first himself saved by grace.
We aren’t given any details of
how this happens. One possible
WINTER 2010 37