The Appearance of Sin

12/21/19 • 6 min

Have you ever thought how strange of Him to introduce His Son through the appearance of sin?

Mary could not take much more. Joseph feared for her. Over the days, her voice was tinged more and more with pain. He feared for the baby. Would Mary have the strength left when the child chose to be born? He was too young, too inexperienced, for this.

After all, a Jewish man was not supposed to know about babies being born. In the village, the midwife was present along with the mother, grandmother and many others. The men just moved aside. “Why me?” Joseph thought, “Oh God, why did you choose me, of all the men of Israel!”

The sun was not even high over the Samaritan hills when Mary cried out. Joseph, lost in his own thoughts, was so startled that little Ben almost fell backward when he whipped around to face Mary.

“Joseph, I can’t go any further," Mary shouted, "I have to...aaaahh!” Joseph was aghast.

What he had feared more than Roman soldiers, robbers, or dark nights appeared to be imminent. The baby would come here in the Jordan Valley far from any city. Without the help and care of a midwife, chances were slim that Mary or the baby would survive.

He helped Mary from the donkey and quickly spread out the bedding in the shade of a large oak tree. “Come Mary. Lie down. Everything is going to be all right.” But his face betrayed the fear of the moment. The pains continued to come. Would all that the angels told end here?

But what is that? Coming from the south. Voices. Laughing. The dust people kicked into the air gave Joseph enough time to hide their belongings and the donkey as best as he could. Robbers and scoundrels no doubt.

Joseph was so intent on Mary that he never noticed the little children that had gathered around the makeshift tent. When he looked up, there they were, staring at the frightened couple as if they had discovered a great treasure. Then one of them, a little girl with a toothless grin yelled out, “Aunt Mary!” Turning, she ran up the road followed by the others, yelling to the adults, “It’s Mary and Joseph! We found Mary and Joseph!”

Mary’s family and the others from the village were returning to Bethlehem and happened upon the couple. And what a time to find them! All thoughts of shame were instantly gone as the women rushed to little Mary’s aid. Her mother now sat with Mary’s head cradled in her lap, her tears falling as she gently caressed her daughter. The mid-wife of the clan examined Mary with the skill borne from many births. Joseph stood with her father and the other men off at a distance and offered prayers to Jehovah for the safe delivery of the child. But no child came. The pains slowly subsided. Finally, Mary was asleep.

No, there was no baby born that day. But something else was birthed. In the fear and excitement of the moment, everyone forgot about the shame of Mary’s circumstance. No one cared, in the moment of need, about anything other than Mary and the baby’s safety. The rest of the day the poor Jewish peasants rejoiced—for the first time openly—at the soon-coming birth of Mary’s baby.

Have you ever thought how strange of Him to introduce His Son through the appearance of sin?

The sun was not even high over the Samaritan hills when Mary cried out. Joseph, lost in his own thoughts, was so startled that little Ben almost fell backward when he whipped around to face Mary.

“Joseph, I can’t go any further," Mary shouted, "I have to...aaaahh!” Joseph was aghast.

Previous Episode

Mary's Lullaby

Mary’s Lullaby
Hidden in my womb so deep
Safe beneath my heart,
Be still, Little One, for very soon
Your life from me will part.
Who will you be
O Son of mine
Is it true what the angels say?
I care not, as long as soon
In my arms, You safely lay.

The valley of the Jordan River borders the land of Samaria to the west and the Decapolis to the east. Running fifty or so miles due south to the Dead Sea, it was the most common travel route to Jerusalem and beyond for the Jews who lived in the beautiful area of Galilee. The more direct route to Bethlehem would take the young couple through Samaria, but no Jew would dare cross over the border of their vowed enemy. Crossing over the Jordan near Scythopolis, Joseph and Mary turned south, following the Jordan River for many miles.

Only speculation would allow us a glimpse of life on the road. But consider these things.

• The road was also used by the occupying army of the Roman Empire, whose cruelty and harshness was a constant threat to all Jews.

• This was possibly the first time that Mary had ever ventured this far outside the familiar surroundings of her home in Nazareth without her parents.

• All of their food, clothing, and supplies would have to be carried with them, severely limiting the amount and quantity they would have.

• They would have to cross several rivers before reaching their turning off point northeast of Jericho.

Mary was only days away from delivering her first child. During this trip she would be subject to the added discomfort that naturally occurs before childbirth—swelling in her feet, hands, and legs, added back pain, shortness of breath. She experienced all of this while either walking or sitting on a donkey for four to six hours a day. Remember—Mary was a girl, who in today’s world, would not be old enough to even drive a car.

One can only imagine the physical strain and punishment that Mary was experiencing. Think also of the emotional strain that was on young Joseph. Probably in his early twenties, he was responsible not only for his young bride but for the baby she was carrying that he had not fathered. All they knew was what the angels had told them. Unlike us, they did not have the storyline written out for them.

They had no idea that the week before Mary would have her child they would be traveling the 80 miles on foot to a city where they knew no one, had no lodging prepared, and no work to provide daily food and shelter. Without exaggeration, it was the worst possible circumstance that any young couple could find themselves in.

Little did they know that God considered it "the fullness of time."

Next Episode

The Angel Candle - Peace

Would you be at peace if an otherworldly being suddenly stood before you? That's exactly what happened when an angel would appear to people. They suddenly stood before Mary. They appeared before the shepherds. Each time the angel would greet them with the word "peace." It is that same greeting that these "ministering spirits" extend to you and me: "Peace on Earth and goodwill to mankind." There is peace between God and man because Jesus came to pay the price for our sins.
Do you need peace knowing your sins are forgiven this Christmas season? Look no further than Jesus.