Strange Story: The Birth of Jesus Part 4 Mary’s Dilemma

Things did not go well when “The Rebellious One” told her parents that she was pregnant. Her father did not want to hear any excuses or explanations. He knew what had happened; it didn’t take a special education to figure that out. He fumed and stammered for several minutes while pacing. Finally he found his voice and shouted, “Do you realize the degree of shame you have brought to this household? Do you want to be stoned? What were you thinking? You obviously weren’t thinking. You are just like your name, you are ‘Rebellious.’ But we did not want you to be rebellious against God, only against the Romans. And this trip to visit your cousin, it was only an attempt to avoid the consequences of your actions. Because of one bad choice on your part, my name and yours have been soiled forever!” Then he stormed out of the house and “The Rebellious One” was left alone with her mother.

She decided to see if her mom would be willing to listen to her explanation. “Mamma, please listen to me. I have something important to tell you.”

Her mom replied, “I don’t see any way that an explanation will change anything, but I will listen.”

Then she told her mom about the angel and about her cousin’s miraculous pregnancy and that her own pregnancy was not due to any sexual involvement with any man.

Her mom harrumphed and scowled. She was obviously disappointed. She held up her hand for her daughter to stop. It was her turn as the mother to speak her mind. “My child, if you want to make up excuses, at least make it a good one. How can you expect me to believe that you got pregnant but there was no man involved? Tell me, do you think it is a common thing for God to go around getting girls pregnant? Can you show me one example from our Scriptures of this happening in the past? Your attempt at an explanation makes me even more disappointed in you. We raised you better than this and look what you have done. Look at all the damage you have caused us.”

Then “The Rebellious One” forced herself to tell “The One who Is Increasing” that she was pregnant. As soon as he heard the word “pregnant” his head went down but he did not say anything. As she explained to him about the angel, he took a deep breath, exhaled loudly and closed his eyes, but he said nothing. After she was done there was a long pause, then he motioned with his hand for her to leave. The entire time he had not said one word. His silence hurt her even more than her father’s furious explosion.

Now all she could do was wait for his decision.

She found a place where she could be alone, and there she wept before God, and prayed, “O Lord, fear is threatening to overwhelm me. When I remember my father’s face, I see it with one thing added to the memory, a big stone in his hands raised above his head. When I recall Joseph’s deafening silence, I cannot image any way in which he would agree to marry me, and that is the only way I will not be stoned to death. Why would Joseph marry me now? He would only bring upon himself a load of debt that would be almost impossible to bear. My father is so angry he would likely ask Joseph for the bride price two times over, and Joseph and I would be mired in poverty until me father dies. Dear God, I will not tell you what to do; I will leave Joseph in your hands. Help me not focus on him or my father; help me focus on you alone. Quell these fears within me. Help me trust that what you have said will come true even thought it looks almost impossible from my vantage point. Help me keep my eyes on the fact that you are the God of the impossible. Amen.”