Difficult Faithfulness
Scripture Reading — Matthew 1:18-21
Joseph . . . had in mind to divorce her quietly.
Having looked at Luke 1 already this month, we know about the angel’s announcement to Mary and the miraculous conception of her son, who would be named Jesus.
But Joseph did not know all of this at first. To him, Mary’s story must have sounded ridiculous: Really? A virgin birth?
Joseph knew that the law was on his side and that he had every right to end his pledged relationship with Mary. But he was also righteous enough to understand grace.
Righteous people understand the need to protect others despite the apparent circumstances. Joseph intended to do the best he could with a bad situation. He felt he had to confront what he saw as Mary’s sin while also living with as much integrity as one could muster when his world had turned upside down.
Have you been there? We all face difficult decisions at times. Even seeking to live righteously does not guarantee a life free from hard choices.
But God, in his grace, revealed to Joseph that Mary’s child was part of a bigger plan. In fact, God invited Joseph to be part of that plan: to let the world know of forgiveness through Jesus’ birth. Grace invited him into that story. It can do the same for you.
God of truth, in a sinful world our vision of righteousness is sometimes cloudy, and our obedience is imperfect. Give us the courage to follow you even when faithfulness is difficult. Amen.
About the author — Joel Vande Werken
Joel Vande Werken is the director of ecclesiastical governance for the Christian Reformed Church in North America in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He served for over seventeen years as a church pastor in Sussex, New Jersey, and in Whitinsville, Massachusetts, before moving to Michigan in 2024. He and his wife, Brandie, have five children.
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