“‘I am the Lord's servant,’ Mary
answered. ‘May it be to me as you have said.’ Then the angel left her.”
(Luke
1:38, NIV).
If a great honor
was to given to a couple from a community, how would the leaders of that community
chose the special couple? Would the
leaders, pick the most successful or the most charismatic of all the
couples? If it were up to the people from
a certain city, how would they select the couple to be thus honored? Would they be different than their community
leaders? Would they look for the most
popular, the best dressed or even the best looking couple and give them the
honor of being chosen? Or would go completely in the other direction and look
for integrity, virtue and character in the couple? If the couple was to be chosen by a
religious group, what criteria would they use to pick the couple to receive
this great honor? Would they pick a
couple that was deeply devoted to their church or would they chose the most kind
or benevolent in their group?
Why were Joseph and Mary chosen to
be the earthly parents of the Christ Child.
All we know is that no one was asked a single question about which
couple should be selected for this honor.
Not the leaders, not the common people, nor the religious nor the
educated. It was Almighty God that
selected the couple named Joseph and Mary for the honor of being the earthly
parents of the Christ Child.
It seems that Almighty God did not use
any of the world’s criteria in choosing this couple. He did not pick someone from the upper ranks
of the successful, the beautiful, the educated or even the charismatic. He did poll the community or even the religious
leaders. It remains a mystery of sorts
as to exactly why they were chosen above all others. It was a strange and ironic honor they were
given. It was the greatest honor in
history but it was clouded in difficulty and problematic in its timing. It was also hidden from the view of almost
all but a select circle of wise men, prophets and family. Still there are a few hints as to there being
chosen. We see something quite
remarkable and rare in the ways Mary and Joseph responded to their selection to
be honored as the parents of the Messiah.
They both showed true humility after being selected to be favored by
God. They both acted decisively and
faithfully when visited by God’s messengers and stepped into God’s provision
and grace.
Why Mary and Joseph were chosen to be
the parents of the Christ Child remains a mystery held in the secure
knowledge and grace of God the Father and Creator of all things. Mary and Joseph were gracious as
they were favored by God and were overwhelmed with His mercy and blessing. That is the message of the Gospel as well,
when we receive it. We cannot really
believe that we were favored with such a great gift of salvation and we are
humbled and overwhelmed by His mercy and blessing to us. It is a great gift that has come to us in
this Child who was and is the Christ and Savior of the world. Rejoice in God’s favor upon you and declare
the goodness of God to the world around you.
“And Mary said: My soul glorifies the
Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for He has been mindful of the
humble state of His servant … for the
Mighty One has done great things for me – Holy is His name.”
(Luke 1:46-49)
Suggested Reading ... Luke 1
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