It was going to be Joseph’s big day. His whole life had led up to this moment.
Per Jewish custom, Joseph and Mary were going through the one-year waiting period before they were to marry. This period of time was given to demonstrate the bride’s sexual purity. After the one-year time was complete, Joseph would’ve gone to Mary’s parents’ house in a grand processional march, and led his bride back to his home. There they would’ve begun to live together as husband and wife and consummated their marriage.
But Joseph would never have his big day because Joseph got the news that his big day was ruined–Mary had gotten pregnant before they were married. In the Jewish culture, this was scandalous.
God ruined Joseph’s big day. But God blessed the world with an even bigger day: the birth of Jesus, Israel’s Messiah, the world’s Savior and Hope.
Instead of Joseph stoning Mary as Jewish law said he had a right to do, he chose to love and protect Mary.
In the toughest of times, in the midst of shame, Joseph obeyed God and still took Mary as his wife.
Hey, when our big day gets ruined by God, may we obey God like Joseph, knowing that life is about Him and His redemptive purposes for humanity, and not about us.
But God uses us to make it all about Him. And that’s awesome!
