New Thoughts (2/8/04)
At first reading, these two verses would be easy to pass by. There are many details to be found, it is true, but other than the assertion of Mary's virginity (which assertion is not as strong as our English translations make it seem), they seem more like asides to the narrative. However, the details we are given are of great import to establishing the credentials of Jesus as the rightful Messiah. Foremost amongst such details specific to this passage is the establishment of his 'paternal lineage.' I put this in quotes because, as the story unfolds, it will be seen that Joseph is not so much the father as the steward.
Jewish custom placed great stress on lineage, particularly that which passed through the male. Thus, to satisfy Jewish thought as well as Scriptural prophecy, Jesus must descend from David through his father. I suspect that it is for this reason that Luke makes plain that Joseph is of David's household at the earliest possible point. Only later, as he traces lines of descent, does he raise the point, that Jesus was only 'supposedly' the son of Joseph. Very shortly, it will be made abundantly clear that Joseph is not the physical father of Jesus, although he will show himself faithful to fulfill the duties of fatherhood towards this son of his household.
The point is this, and it is a critical concern from a theological standpoint: We will have it proved that Jesus was divinely sired, and therefore not heir to the legacy of sin that passed from Adam throughout the generations of man. That seed was not in Him. Yet, the earthly genealogy of Jesus is hereby declared valid from the stance of prophecy. He is indeed a son of David by the requisite paternal path. Elsewhere, it will be shown that he is also a son of David through the lineage of Mary, establishing a more evident physical connection, but that is a consideration for later in this study.
Now, we can turn to Mary, or Miriam as she would doubtless have been known to her familiars. In considering Mary, we do well to first consider her namesake, Miriam the sister of Moses. In the Jewish adult study group I attended a few weeks back, it was noted that in midrash, Jewish thought regarding the unmentioned details of Scripture, Miriam is seen as very closely connected with water. This is found in her involvement with Moses and his ark at the beginning of the Exodus story. It was clearly Miriam who led in the praises of God when the waters of the Sea of Reeds enclosed and annihilated Pharaoh's army. They further hold that it was she who was able to locate hidden springs of water throughout the wilderness trek. This is harder to see in the sparse narrative of the text, but may perhaps be seen in the brief obituary given to us in Numbers. All Israel found themselves in the wilderness of Zin in that first month, and they encamped around Kadesh. There, Miriam died and was buried. And there was no water for the people, which led them to come against Moses and Aaron (Nu 20:1-2). It is suggestive at least of a connection, between Miriam's loss, and the loss of water.
If we can accept Jewish thought on this matter, then how prophetic it becomes of our own Messiah! Truly, Mary was to bear within her hidden springs, she would bring forth the Fount of Living Water! In the child she bore, mankind would find a divine well-spring. He would later declare that those who were thirsty could come to Him and drink (Jn 7:37-38 - If any man thirsts, come to Me and drink. Believe in Me and from your inmost being will flow rivers of living water, even as Scripture says), that those who drank of the water of Christ would thirst no more (Jn 4:14 - Who drinks of this water I give will never thirst again, for the water I shall give will be in him a wellspring of eternal life).
Miriam, sister of Moses, proved true to her name. That name means rebelliousness, and she, at one point, rose up in opposition to Moses. For that sin, she was punished for a time, suffering the curse of leprosy, and being forced to remain outside the camp. It may well have been that same sin which led to her death before Israel entered the promised land. I also find it interesting that at her death, rebelliousness broke loose once more amongst the ranks of Israel. Mary, however, proved false to her name, acceded in humble obedience to all that God required of her, acceded to all that God would do through her son - His Son. From Miriam's rebellion, rebellion and cursing came upon a nation. From Mary's obedience, salvation and blessing came upon a world. Is this not an echo of the same thought Paul gives in regards to the first Adam, and the Christ? (Ro 5:12 - So, just as sin entered the world through one man, spreading death to all men in penalty for their sins…Ro 5:18 - Yes, as that one transgression brought condemnation upon all, even so the righteousness of One has resulted in justification, life, to all men.)
Now, I mentioned that translating of the word parthenon as 'virgin' is a matter of some debate. However, that the thought is implicit in that word, even if not explicit, is made clear by an understanding of what it means to be betrothed. That this is a matter more binding than what we know as an engagement should be clear by Joseph's reaction to the news of Mary's pregnancy. (Mt 1:19 - Joseph contemplated a quiet divorce.) Now, if this were a mere engagement, as we understand the concept, there would be no cause for a divorce, as no marriage had yet occurred. However, the concept of betrothal is far stronger than that of engagement. For all intents and purposes other than the consummation, this was already a marriage. It was every bit as binding as marriage, a contract already signed and sealed between bride and groom. This betrothal would have been in place for at least a year prior to the actual wedding, and was a time during which the groom would be busy preparing a house for himself and his bride to be.
That the one betrothed expected to find his bride untouched by another, pure and undefiled on the wedding day goes almost without saying. The traditions that surround the actual wedding make this clear. I don't know if this would have applied, necessarily, to Jewish custom, but in some cultures it would have been the duty of the groom's parents to check the sheets the following morning for the bloodstain that would make clear that the bride had upheld her end of the betrothal contract. If, indeed, this practice was part of Jewish custom, one wonders how Mary and Joseph chose to deal with the issue, as it is clear that the reputation of both were at stake.
So, we have been introduced to the earthly parents of Him who would become Savior of all. It behooves us to consider this place in which He was to be conceived, the place in which He also chose to establish His ministry, when the time came. (Mt 2:23 - Jesus settled in the city of Nazareth, thereby fulfilling the prophetic word). Herein lies a question which perhaps will be answered in time. I can find no sign of that prophetic word. The cross-references at that verse point to nothing in the Old Testament to which Matthew may have been referring. Yet, God's Word is true. What, then, is he talking about?
Be that as it may, Nazareth was the place God chose for His conception, and the place He chose for His ministry. What was it about this city that led to its choosing? There are a number of potential answers to that question. First, although there is debate around what the name Nazareth means, both purported derivations are quite suitable as symbols for what was taking place. It is suggested that Nazareth derives from a word meaning the sprout or shoot of a new plant. Is it not fitting, then, that God should choose the city of the shoot as the birthplace for the shoot from the stem of Jesse, the promised Messiah? Think of it. Hope, in Israel, was all but dead. The legacy that was founded by David seemed no more than a stump. Slowly, the Roman Empire was grinding all thoughts of Jewish self-rule from popular thought. Even the religious leadership was more inclined to keep the Roman occupiers placated than to seek to assert the sovereignty of God. This was one of their great concerns when faced with Messiah, that He might cause the Romans to forcefully assert their mastery of the territory. More to the point, the uproar caused by Messiah might well cause the religious establishment their positions of prominence. Yes, nationalistic hopes seemed all but dead, but here, in the city of shoot, a new King was being conceived, a new King, but of the old line, a true heir of David, and thereby heir to the promise given David.
The other possibility given for the meaning of Nazareth's name had more to do, one supposes, with its physical situation. This was a city on a hill. Here's an interesting thing: from the maps of Moody's Atlas, it would seem Nazareth was situated across the Esdraelon Valley from Megiddo. From that fortress, the main route from Egypt proceeded between Mount Moreh, and Mount Tabor, as it crossed the valley. Slightly to the east, on a lesser rise, sat Nazareth. Now, that alternate meaning for Nazareth is that its name derives from a word for sentinel, or watch-tower. Indeed, we can see that Nazareth was set in a strategic place, overlooking the valley in which Armageddon is to take place! Here, the approach from Egypt was visible, and should trouble befall the fortress of Megiddo, Nazareth would be uniquely situated to forewarn those by the Sea of Galilee. It was set as a watchtower at the crossroads of two points of danger to Israel, the valley, which provided one of the few paths of accessibility from the sea into the heart of Israel, and the Great Trunk Road, which led up from the old enemy of Egypt.
Consider, also, the land in which Nazareth was situated. From ancient times, this region had been known as the heathen circle. Doubtless, the name came in part from the situation around the region. On every side, Galilee was hemmed in by hostile lands, except on the side of Samaria, and that region was considered off-limits to the self-respecting Jew, as they had long since (in Jewish opinion, at least) been contaminated by Gentile influences beyond all hope of recovery. Galilee was not much better thought of. Surrounded, as it was, surely the citizens of that region had also fallen under the sway of Gentile thoughts and habits. At best, the area was but a backwater. That's the source of much of what we will find in the public reaction to Jesus. He's from there, how can He possibly be the Redeemer? He's probably not even a practicing Jew! Surely, God's Chosen One will come from the crown jewel of Judea!
But, as it is fitting that the shoot from the stem of Jesse was born, and His ministry situated, in the city of the shoot, it is also fitting that He who would save mankind should be born, and minister in the place of the sentinel, the guardian. It is also in this significance of Nazareth that we can take the application of this verse for our life. Jesus, sitting, more than likely just outside Nazareth, would point to that place as He taught those listening, "A city on a hill cannot be hidden" (Mt 5:14). This is the call to Christians then and now. Don't hide away, be visible in your faith. Make it clear to all who see you that the kingdom of God has broken in on the history of earth!
Indeed, though the words were different, this was very much the message heard at church today. Stand up! Take on the task of the guardian that has been assigned you! You stand encircled by heathens, but you stand on the high ground. You have been placed in your conspicuous position that you might cry out a warning to those around you. No, that call is not really for the redeemed, it is for those who encircle you. If the regions of Galilee were invaded, it would not be only the Jews who were imperiled. Those heathens that surrounded their lands were just as much in danger. The warning would not go to Jews alone, but to all the region. We, too, are called to stop preaching to the choir, and start shouting the warning to a multitude who are under attack, and don't even know it!
All around us, every day of the week, we are seeing a doomed people. The enemy is flooding through the weak spots, and overwhelming all who are in the valley. By stealth, they have come across the borders, and threaten the very heart of mankind. We are uniquely positioned to see the danger. All around us, people blind to the nature of their foe welcome him into their homes. Who will cry out to them, warn them of the danger they place themselves in? More to the point, how can we, who can see the reality, leaven them to die, knowing it is not our Lord's will that any should perish?
Oh, Lord! For whose blood will I be called to account because I failed to warn them? Every one of us has been given the mission of Ezekiel, to shout warning to those who turn their feet onto the paths of destruction. Have I ever, Lord, even once, been faithful to that call? No, to my shame, I cannot recall a single time. Perhaps there are those of which I am unaware, but I sense that this is not so. Father, forgive me! Let this be more than the cry of one caught out. God! All this training You have given me, what is it for, if I will not open my mouth to speak Your word? How can I be silent, Lord? What is wrong with me? Am I really so shallow that all I care about is myself? May it not be so! Yet, where is the excitement I ought to know, Holy One, at having the opportunity to serve You in the saving of a fellow man?
Lord, it is in Your hands to shake this man from his comfort zone. It is in Your power that boldness may overcome whatever foolishness prevents me from declaring Your truth to those who most need to hear it! Is it pride of appearance? The need to know I am highly thought of? Of what use is that to me, if You are ashamed of me? No use whatsoever! Oh, God, give me a right view of what matters. Sort out my priorities until You are all and in all of me.
We stand amidst a people at enmity with God. We used to stand arm in arm with them, as much at odds with our rightful King as any other amongst them. Yet, somebody, somewhere along the line cared enough to point out the futility of such nonsense. Somebody, somewhere, cared enough to show us our Lord in the true light of His glory, and we were changed. We have been drawn out from that crowd, and reconciled with our Lord. We have been drawn out, the blinders of anger taken from our eyes, and we have been set back into that same crowd. But, we are no longer part of the crowd. We are in the world, but not of it. Indeed, even if we try to hide it, the world will recognize that we are no longer of one mind with them. Look, they're going to hate us either way, might as well give them the right reason for it. Let them hate us not for our hypocrisy, but because we prove ourselves true to what we know is Truth.
Let us be faithful in the position of guardian and sentinel that God has placed us in, shouting the warning to all around us that destruction is upon them. And with the warning of danger, let us also point ever so clearly to Sanctuary, that, if it be possible, God's desire shall be fulfilled, and all men be saved.
