Joseph Following the Law
It is time to circumcise baby Jesus and redeem Him, as He is the first born of Mary and Joseph. Joseph is following the Law to the letter.
We left our young couple after the shepherds visit. The ‘birth announcement’ from the Lord has gone out. Who knows how many believe the shepherds. After all, they aren’t the most reliable witnesses; according to society norms. But every word from their lips that night is true. Who could make up such a story?!
It is time to move onto the requirements of the Law handed down by Moses. Jesus’ life has to fulfill ALL the requirements of the Law. Until He can do this on His own, His parents do it for Him. Let’s rejoin our story as Jesus endures the first requirement of being a Jewish boy.
Holy Spirit continue leading Your story as we look at Jesus’ life. Feel free, Jesus, to throw anything in that You want shared too. I look forward to seeing where You take me on this journey.
♥ ♦ ♥
While Mary watches over the babe, Joseph brings blankets from the donkey cart and lays them in the clean straw. Joseph would love to finally snuggle with his wife, but she is unclean from the birth and her flow. The two curl up on either side of the manger to watch their child sleeping. And, yes, this is “their child” as far as society is concerned. Mary, Joseph, and God are the only ones who know the whole truth.
Morning comes and Joseph stretches out the kinks in his back. Mary was awakened by the babe several times in the night to nurse Him. She finally brought Him under the blankets with her, so she could get some rest.
Joseph carefully slips from his blankets, trying his best not to wake Mary. Today, he has to go and register for the census. After that,… “One step at a time” he tells himself.
The first task of the day is feeding all the animals. Joseph feels that this is the least he should do for being granted the use of the stable. He looks around and locates the feed stores. He gives each animal their portion and fills the water trough. He thought about returning the manger it its original function, but didn’t know if Mary would need it again before they found a more suitable living environment.
With this chore done, Joseph slips quietly back into the stable. He whispers in Mary’s ear. “I have to go and register for the census. You wait here. I will be back as soon as possible.” He decides to do one more task before leaving. He brings the food stores into the stable and puts them near Mary. This way, she won’t have to try and carry them herself, especially with a baby in her hands as well. Joseph takes a small piece of bread and goes to join the line of those waiting to register. He had hoped that, rising this early, he would be among the first in line. His hopes die as he sees the line extending down the street. He breathes a sigh and steps into line.
The line doesn’t move for some time. Those doing the enrolling haven’t arrived yet and started the process. Joseph tears bites off of his bread, pops them into his mouth, and eats it slowly, hopeful that this process will be over reasonably soon.
Once those who are recording the people arrive, the line moves fairly quickly. It is still two hours before Joseph is finished with this task and can rejoin Mary. On his way, he stops in at the inn.
“Hello my friend” greets the innkeeper. “How did you sleep?”
“I owe you a debt of gratitude that I cannot begin to repay for your kindness.”
“You owe me nothing” the innkeeper says while swatting the air as if pushing away the thought of payment. “I’m glad to have been able to help.”
“I’m wondering if you know anywhere in Bethlehem that might have a small house I could rent. My wife and I will be staying on after the census.”
The innkeeper stops to think about it. Finally, he says; “I doubt that there is anything right now, but by the end of the week, people should start returning home. Anyone who rented a house during this time, for the purpose of the census, will probably leave. This should free up plenty of lodging opportunities.”
“How soon do you think people will start home?”
“I have already had several people check out. They said they would be leaving as soon as they finished registering.”
“I just finished myself. That line was something! And I was there before the census takers. I was hoping to be one of the first, but others had the same idea” Joseph smiles as he remembers the lines.
“Since you will be staying on, the first room I have a vacancy in is yours. Until then, feel free to remain in the stable. I’m hopeful it won’t be long before you have a proper roof overhead and floor under your feet.”
Joseph smiles as he thanks the innkeeper and goes back to Mary. He hears her singing as he nears the stable. He stands for a moment and just listens. Her voice is beautiful and love radiates with every note.
Joseph finally shakes himself free of the ‘spell’ of Mary’s singing and joins her in the stable. Mary looks up as she hears him enter and gives him one of her beautiful smiles. She then puts a finger to her lips, indicating that he should be quiet. The babe has just dropped off to sleep. Mary carefully places him in the manger. Once she is certain he is settled, she gets up and approaches Joseph.
In hushed voices they discuss the plans for the future and Joseph’s accomplishments of the day.
“Thank you for bringing the food inside for me” Mary says. “It was a big help.”
“I wanted to make things as easy for you as possible. I had to go and register for the census and I didn’t know if I would be back in time to help you when you needed it.”
“Why didn’t you wake me. We could have gone together.”
“No. You need your rest. Besides, the rolls only include me, for now. I did tell them I was married and just welcomed my first Son into the world; just in case they wanted to know.”
“That’s right. Your are now an abba and have all the bragging rights of that title.”
Joseph looks over Mary’s shoulder at the sleeping babe. “I will do my best to be the abba He needs me to be. I’m not sure what that will entail, but I will figure it out; with the Lord’s help.”
“I feel the same way. I know what imas are supposed to do, but will I do something different, as His ima? What will the Lord require of me?”
“To listen faithfully and to obey, to the best of your abilities” Joseph replies.
It is two days later before the inn has a room available for Mary and Joseph. Mary is grateful to be sleeping in a regular bed again. It wasn’t terrible, staying in the stable, but the smells are a lot better and the bedding doesn’t absorb the cool of the ground during the night.
The morning of the eighth day of the babe’s life dawns with excitement. Not only is it the day of circumcision and naming, but Joseph has a home for them to move into afterwards.
Mary readies for her Son’s big day. She washes Him carefully and tells Him of what is to come. “Today, You will join in the covenant of Abraham, given to him by the Lord. You will be circumcised in the flesh.” She chuckles to herself. “Do You already know this? Your true Abba is the Lord. Has He allowed You this knowledge already?” Mary shakes her head, not knowing what to think.
Everyone is ready. Mary, Joseph, and the babe set out for the synagogue. The innkeeper and his wife have asked if they could bear witness to this even for them. Joseph and Mary welcome their participation. A witness is needed for the naming of the child.
The knife expertly removes the foreskin of the infant. And He wails, just like any other baby would. Mary wants to comfort Him right away but He has to receive His name first. The priest turns to Joseph.
“What is the babe’s name?”
“His name is Jesus.”
Jesus is held up for the visitors to gaze upon. “Meet Jesus, Son of Joseph.”
Joseph and Mary both wonder if this pronouncement bothers the Lord. They hold their questions silently to themselves as Jesus is handed to Mary to comfort. Mary excuses herself and finds a quiet place to nurse Jesus.
“It’s all over. I know it hurt, but it will fade with time. And now, You bear the mark of the covenant of Your Abba.”
Mary and Joseph celebrate Jesus’ circumcision ceremony as their last meal at the inn. The innkeeper and his wife work hard to make this a special occasion; even baking raisin cakes.
“So why is your family not here to share in this time with you” asks the innkeeper.
Mary and Joseph lock eyes with one another, trying to decide what to tell them. The innkeeper’s wife saves the day by deflecting the question. “They have us to count as family for now. What more could they need?”
The innkeeper chuckles and nods. “So true!”
Joseph brings Mary to their new home just before the sun sets. He sees her looking around, noticing everything that needs sweeping or washing down; just like any good wife would. Joseph sees her looking and lingering. He steers her to a chair.
“You are not going to do anything but rest tonight. Everything else can wait until tomorrow.”
Mary gives Joseph a weary smile. “Just this once” she says, almost as a promise to herself and to her husband.
Joseph smiles. “As an ima of a young child, I have a feeling that there will be more than once that the day escapes before the chores do.” Joseph looks her fully in the eyes. “And I am fine with that.”
“How” Mary says with a sigh.
“‘How’ what” asks Joseph.
“How did the Lord give me such a wonderful husband?”
Joseph smiles. “Just lucky I suppose. Now let’s get some rest.”
Joseph and Mary still sleep separately because the Law, as Mary is in her time of purification, but they share the same room. Jesus sleeps beside His ima so He can nurse in the night.
The time of purification passes in what feels like the blink of an eye, and forever. Jesus is now 40 days old. This is the first time Mary will leave the house since the day of circumcision. It is also the day the little family sets off for Jerusalem.
This journey is a short day’s walk. Mary is grateful for this, as if she were still in Nazareth, it could have taken them nearly a week to arrive. Mary caries Jesus in a wrap tied to her body. Joseph walks beside her. After today, they can finally be true husband and wife. But Mary must make a sacrifice first.
Mary and Joseph reach Jerusalem just after midday. Mary purchases two young pigeons for her sacrifice from a vendor beside the Temple.
While Joseph and Mary are traveling and purchasing their sacrifice, the Spirit of the Lord is at work in the home of Simeon. He is a devout man and always about the Lord’s business, to the best of his abilities. One night, years ago, the Lord spoke to His faithful servant, Simeon.
“Simeon, you are a faithful servant. I have a promise and a purpose for you. You have studied the scriptures and know of the coming of the Christ. I swear to you by My own name, for there is none higher, that you will not see death until you have looked upon the face of My Christ. And when you behold Him, you will speak My words over Him.”
Simeon has treasured this promise in his heart from that day forward. Today, the Spirit of the Lord compels him to go to the Temple. He is great in age but the excitement of what is to come gives him the strength of his youth. He KNOWS that this is the day the Lord has promised him. The day he will see the Lord’s Christ.
As Mary and Joseph make their way into the Temple, Simeon comes to meet them. They have no idea who this man is, but there is no fear in either of them. Simeon’s eyes fasten on Jesus.
“May I hold Him, just for a moment” he asks with pleading eyes.
Mary and Joseph look at one another and easily decide to grant Simeon’s request. Mary loosens the wrap holding the babe secure and carefully hands him to the man in front of her.
Simeon gazes into Jesus’ face. Jesus smiles up at him. Simeon looks up towards heaven and begins to bless the Lord and prophecy of Jesus true mission.
“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel” (Mark 2:29-32).
Joseph and Mary stand amazed at the words spoken over Jesus. They have no words to express what they have just witnessed.
Simeon isn’t finished. He turns his attention to Joseph and Mary. He pronounces a blessing over them, asking the Lord’s hand to guide their lives as they mold the character of the Christ child and to bless them with many more children for their faithfulness to Him.
Simeon turns ever so slightly to lock. eyes with Mary. He has something very personal to give to her. Words of a future that are sure to come to pass. One that will bring her pain, but MUST be endured to the end.
“Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed” (Luke 2:34-35).
After one final moment gazing into Jesus’ eyes, Simeon hands Jesus back to Mary.
“Thank you for allowing me this time.”
Mary nods her head. She doesn’t trust her voice yet. She has so many questions about the words just spoken to her, but feels it is not the time to ask them. Joseph and Mary proceed across the outer courtyard.
As the little family makes their way to the place of sacrifice, an elderly woman begins to prophesy and give praises to God. “Look!”, she calls out. “The redemption of Jerusalem is upon us. The Christ has come. Immanuel is among us this very day!”
As she calls out she points towards Joseph, Mary and Jesus. Her face nearly glows with joy at what she is seeing in the Spirit. She continues calling out as Mary leaves Joseph and enters the Court of the Women. Here, Mary presents her sacrifice to the Levite to prepare it.
She looks back over her shoulder, seeing the woman still pointing towards them. “Who is that woman” she asks the Levite.
His eyes gentle as he tells her story. “Her name is Anna. She came to us a young widow. She was married only seven years when her husband died. Since that time, she has not left the Temple. She is an amazing prophetess. She prays night and day, as well as worshiping and fasting. She is eighty-four now. I’m not certain what she means today, but I always try and heed her words. She has the ear of the Lord.”
Once the sacrifice is offered to the Lord, Mary returns to Joseph’s side and the two leave the Temple. As they are leaving, Mary tells Joseph a little of Anna’s story. “She has been in the Temple since the death of her husband! She is eighty-four years old. She was a virgin when she married, and was widowed after only seven years. Can you imagine how many years that is, for her time in the Temple. She must be an amazing woman. I don’t think I could do that.”
“You have a different part to play in the Lord’s plan. She is doing her part. Maybe she is like the man we met earlier. Waiting for the Christ to appear before they lie down and sleep with their fathers. They have seen Him today; revealed by the Lord Himself.”
Mary treasures all the words spoken in the Temple today. They will remain with her for the rest of her life. She has no idea what they will entail at this moment, but she is certain that she will know, when the time is right.
Mary and Joseph return to their little house in Bethlehem. They still need to remain away from home for a while longer. Jesus cannot have even the possibility of illegitimacy hanging over His head.
(to be continued)
I’m shocked by my reading AGAIN today. I always thought that the prophetess Anna actually spoke to Mary and Joseph. She didn’t. We are told that; “coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem” (Luke 2:38). She spoke OF Jesus, not TO Jesus. Can you imagine how Joseph and Mary felt, having her point them out? They were trying to keep a low profile and here God is, sending people to spread the word about His Son.
That just brought the story of the wise men to mind. We will see it next time, but I’m thinking about Herod asking “who” the king just born might be. The people in Jerusalem had Him pointed out to them. Any of them, who remembered that day, could have pointed Him out. But they didn’t. Instead, hundreds or even thousands of young children would die on account of Herod’s fears.
I’m getting ahead of myself again. For today, let’s rest in the knowledge that Jesus’ parents were ‘checking all the boxes’ for Him, before He could do it on His own. And THAT dedication is part of why God chose them as the parents for His Son.
Father God, thank You for entrusting me with my children. Their lives will never measure up to that of Jesus. And I will never measure up to the standards of Mary. But I treasure them as gifts from You. I KNOW I have made mistakes as a parent and more than likely left a few scars behind. My DEEPEST desire is for ALL of my children to return to You. I place them, again, in Your hands. Speak into their lives Lord.
