Lessons from Mary and Joseph: Obedience and Trust through Fear and Uncertainty

Perhaps the two people who would have had the most unique perspective on that first Christmas were Mary and Joseph. While they could not have known all that God was doing through their faithful obedience, they trusted that God knew best and remained submissive to His will even through their discomfort and fear.

Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.”

While this passage was written long after Christ’s birth, Mary and Joseph knew the truth of this verse and believed it in their hearts before it was penned on a page.

Yet of all the young couples, it’s important to reflect on why God chose this particular pair to be the earthly parents of His one and only son.

MARY'S FAITH FOUND FAVOR WITH GOD
Hebrews 11:6 says, “And without faith it is impossible to please God.” Mary was a woman of faith, and this virtue was pleasing to the Lord and earned His favor on her life.

In the moment, the weight of the responsibility probably seemed overwhelming but God knew Mary’s heart and saw that she had an active faith that would open the door to allowing one of history’s greatest miracles to take place through her.

GOD KNEW MARY'S CHARACTER
David Jeremiah states in his December 2022 article, A Match Made in Heaven: The Enduring Love of Christmas, that “a crossroads is no place to decide on your destination.” He goes on to examine Mary’s response to the angel, Gabriel, who came and announced the news of Christ’s coming.

He says, “How long would Gabriel’s conversation with Mary have taken? You can read the entire dialogue in Luke 1 in a minute or less – hardly enough time to process the life-changing message she was given. So how was Mary able to say ‘Yes’ in such a short moment? Because she was already living a life of submission to the will and ways of God.”

God knew Mary’s heart and saw, not only who she was at the time, but who her character would help her become.

JOSEPH'S OBEDIENCE OVERSHADOWED HIS SKEPTICISM
When Mary shared with Joseph what she had been told by the angel, he did not believe her. Consider what that conversation must have been like for Joseph. The devastating blow of what seemed like ultimate betrayal is something that probably stirred a lot of emotions.

In fact, Scripture tells us that he planned to call off the engagement entirely after learning of her pregnancy.

Yet Matthew 1:20 says that Joseph was told in a dream that Mary’s conception was of the Holy Spirit and that he was to take Mary as his wife. As soon as he woke up, Scripture says, Joseph did what God had commanded him to do.

That quick, unquestioning obedience is exactly what God was honoring in his selection of Joseph as Jesus’ earthly father. Nowhere are we told that Joseph questioned what he had been told. Nowhere does it say that Joseph obeyed begrudgingly. We only see Joseph hearing something that seemed rather unbelievable but putting his trust in God and walking in faithful obedience to Him.

Picture what that first night must have been like after Mary and Joseph became parents. I can only imagine the feeling of being the first two people to look into the face of the Savior, knowing that God had reserved this special moment just for them.

This Christmas, though you may have circumstances in your life that cause you doubt or fear, remember that though things may not make sense, God has a plan and a purpose for all of His sons and daughters. Remember the example of Mary and Joseph who selflessly surrendered their earthly plans and certainty of the future to God and were bestowed the highest earthly honor of all time. May you choose to place your uncertainty and your discomfort in the hands of the God who will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).

Doug Clay

General Superintendent

The General Council of the Assemblies of God

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