Dear one,
Since I last shared with you via this blog, it’s been a twelve-week hiatus—my energies were given to novel-writing. But now it’s time to return to those writing forms I enjoy equally, such as periodically sharing a thought with you.
Although I know that Advent and Christmas have passed, I still find myself pondering the Mary-Joseph experience and the First Advent. For some years and humanly speaking, I have recognized the multi-faceted dilemma foisted upon that young couple—and I don’t think “foist” is too strong or too negative a word. Giving birth to and/or parenting the Messiah was not their idea, and living that “idea” brought its own set of unique complications or compromises.
For instance, upon Mary’s return from her three-month visit with Elizabeth (cf. Luke 1:39ff.), Joseph no doubt faced a very grim, heart-rending predicament (cf. Matthew 1:18-25). In her three-month absence from Nazareth, Mary had become pregnant. What should he do? If he was to marry her, would this not be the admission of guilt? However, convinced that he was not the father; convinced that Mary had betrayed him, should he marry her, knowing that she might yet again prove unfaithful?
Or, given that they were legally bound to one another—albeit, they had not begun sleeping and living with one another—should he divorce her, recognizing that he would be subject to public scrutiny and gossip? Of course, as you know, he chose the latter option, but being a “righteous” man, not wanting to expose her to social ridicule, he sought secrecy.
In light of these questions, then again there is Mary’s account and/or experience. Presumably her routines and life were predictable, nothing extraordinary, until she received an uninvited Visitor (cf. Luke 1:26-38). After hearing Gabriel’s message, to which she consented, “Be it unto me according to your word,” she then trekked to visit Elizabeth. However, this entire sequence began with Gabriel’s opening, “Greetings, favored one,” followed by Mary’s reaction: she was troubled and questioned the nature of Gabriel’s greeting
In my estimation, she did well to wonder what this “favor” might mean. Perhaps, because I know the storyline, hers could have been a cynical response: “Right! Just what’s this ‘favor’ going to cost me?” But apart from such cynicism, her response begs the question: “In life, what does God’s favor or grace mean?” Contrary to what we generally suppose or wish—and yet fully evident in Mary and Joseph’s experience—God’s favor often means great physical and moral difficulty, complication, or compromise.
Admittedly, I do not want to so stress the difficulties surrounding the LORD’s favor, that I fail to note the faith, hope, and love which eventually render such complexities innocuous; nonetheless, as seen in Joseph and Mary, the LORD’s favor was not easily lived.
As you and I venture into 2023, we do well to pray for our Creator’s favor or grace; but with that prayer, we also do well to remember that it’s answer might be a life of dis-ease and discomfort. That is, favor or grace abounds, when life is immeasurably difficult.
Praying for grace,
Stan
Favored?