Matthew 1:19-25
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.
Joseph made a sacrifice in accepting Mary as his wife despite the expected rumors about her out-of-wedlock pregnancy. But I am also struck by the side note that "he had no union with her until she gave birth" (verse 25). Typically, one of the things we look forward to with marriage is the opportunity to consummate it sexually, particularly if you've been a good virgin until this time. But Joseph had to continue to sacrifice and wait, even after being married. I have to ask myself: would I be willing to wait and delay my own pleasure, or would I have grumbled and complained about it? Too often our sexual brokenness is tied to our selfishness.
God, I confess to being selfish. Help me to serve my spouse in ways that would bless him or her.
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.
Joseph made a sacrifice in accepting Mary as his wife despite the expected rumors about her out-of-wedlock pregnancy. But I am also struck by the side note that "he had no union with her until she gave birth" (verse 25). Typically, one of the things we look forward to with marriage is the opportunity to consummate it sexually, particularly if you've been a good virgin until this time. But Joseph had to continue to sacrifice and wait, even after being married. I have to ask myself: would I be willing to wait and delay my own pleasure, or would I have grumbled and complained about it? Too often our sexual brokenness is tied to our selfishness.
God, I confess to being selfish. Help me to serve my spouse in ways that would bless him or her.