Matthew 1:19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
Fearful of making the wrong decision a young manager was told by his boss the story of his son’s death years earlier when undergoing corrective heart surgery. A surgeon’s decision led to the death of the boy. Discovering it was a measured decision in difficult circumstances the father chose not redress but took comfort in knowing that the surgeon’s decision was based on a desire to save his son. The father told the young recruit ‘make decisions based on desiring the best for the person most affected’.
In the story of Jesus birth, Joseph is described as a man concerned with moral and religious correctness, yet a man confronted with the news of Mary being pregnant. Knowing he was not the father hurt Joseph and presented a difficult choice. Walk away – holding Mary to account or decide what is best for her. Matt 1:19 tells us Joseph was unwilling to shame Mary – a man of honour. In V20 the words from heaven are “do not be afraid”. Fear is often irrational but it impacts our decisions greatly.
Joseph’s courageous decision not to seek Mary’s denigration created for him the space to discover an alternative to fear. The little boy’s father chooses not to denigrate that surgeon – giving space to see the bigger picture. I’m not suggesting Mary being pregnant was a mistake, my focus is on the response of the affected person.
May the message of being gracious, forgiving and restorative influence our decisions when faced with unexpected news! You and I will be confronted with the choice to walk away or work something through on occasions. Grace and forgiveness creates such an atmosphere that God appears in the midst of our moment of decision.
Rob Wykes 