Monday 15th December
Read Matthew 1:18-19
“This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: his mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.” (NIVUK)
The nature of the genealogy becomes ever clearer with Matthew’s next words. He weaves the final lines of the genealogy into the birth (or genesis) of Jesus the Messiah through Mary. Unlike Luke’s narrative, which gives us intimate insight into Mary’s thoughts and words, Matthew draws our attention to Joseph.
The sexual scandals that Matthew highlights through the genealogy culminate in the pregnancy of Mary. The betrothed woman conceived by the Holy Spirit. Much could be said about the role of the Spirit in bringing forth life but it is the occasion of the scandal that Matthew draws our attention to throughout.
Joseph is the first example of one living out the righteousness that Jesus commands from those who would follow Him and enter His kingdom. It is a righteousness that seeks to square the demands of the law with grace towards those in disgrace. Not knowing how Mary was pregnant his reflections on the matter led him to seek to cover over her ‘sin’.
How do we approach scandal?
