Appearance Isn’t Everything - Joseph, The Husband Of Mary

As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit.”

Matthew 1:20

In his biography Houdini, author Harold Kellock recounts how the famous magician had himself shackled and locked in a Scottish jail cell. He quickly freed himself from the shackles and then turned his attention to the cell lock. Houdini tried everything he knew, but the lock wouldn’t open. Finally, the exhausted Houdini leaned against the door, which opened so suddenly that he fell headfirst into the corridor.

The turnkey hadn’t locked it.

The lesson behind this story? It’s not good to make assumptions.

It’s hard to imagine Joseph, the man God called to fill the role of Jesus’ earthly father, as not making some assumptions when his fiancée, Mary, told him she was pregnant with the long-awaited Messiah. Joseph knew only two things as fact: Mary was pregnant, and he wasn’t the father. The news of Mary’s pregnancy shattered Joseph. What will my family think? Certainly they won’t buy this story. I don’t know if I buy this story!

Still, what if it were true?

Although Joseph loved Mary, he seriously considered ending their engagement. God saw his heart and knew that he was the right man for the job of raising Jesus to adulthood. As Joseph uneasily slept one night, God confirmed Mary’s story and told Joseph not to be afraid to marry her.

Joseph must have suffered incredible anguish when Mary told him of her pregnancy, but his heart and mind remained open. God allowed Joseph the privilege of caring for the most important child ever born.

When you receive what appears to be bad news, keep an open mind and heart. God may have a plan to bring blessing out of what you thought was a personal tragedy.