4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
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What jumps out at me is verse 5, describing Mary as his pregnant fiance. I knew Jesus was conceived out of wedlock, but I didn't realize he was also born out of wedlock.
I thought Joseph would have married Mary before the child was born, so that no one would ever have cause to call Jesus a bastard. Why didn't Joseph marry her before, in order to protect Mary and the child?
I can only come up with 2 reasons. 1) Joseph was a cruel man, who agreed to continue with marrying an unfaithful fiance, but wished to punish/humiliate his future wife and unrelated child; or 2) He was a kind man, who followed God's directives (as described in the gospel Mark). Which does one choose to believe?
I believe that Joseph was a kind man who followed the directions of God in every single instance. He was a righteous and obedient person to the word of God.
It says in Matthew 1:18-19 -> "18This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly..."
I wonder if Mary & Joseph expected the birth of Jesus while they were in Bethlehem to register, since it says in verse 6: "while the were there, the time came for the baby to be born..." It sounds like that their primary reason for going to Bethlehem was just to register, completely being unaware that the promised child would be born. Otherwise, they would have made a room reservation in the inn...Instead, our Lord Jesus comes to us being born in a manger, to the surprise of many people. I think this is how Jesus works within our lives. When we expect the least, that's the time when He shines His light upon us and confirms us with His power and love.
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