He Came to Change the World: 7 Day Advent GuideSample

At the time of Jesus’ birth, devout Jewish men studied the written Law , called the Torah, and the Oral Law, called the Mishnah. The Oral Law was a record of the important oral traditions and teachings that stood alongside the written Law. The Mishnah dealt mostly with subjects that appear in the book of Leviticus, attempting to provide more elaborate explanations than were given in the written Law. Joseph, and later Jesus, were educated in both of these laws. Matthew wrote his gospel for Jewish Christians. He is careful to note that “Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose (Mary) to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly ” (Matthew 1:19). Nazareth was a small village, and a divorce would have been a disgrace—not just to Mary, but to her family and to Joseph’s family as well. Joseph wanted to protect her from the gossip and condemnation that would have fallen on her and their families. The Mishnah also spoke to the subject of gossip. Gossip was punished severely according to the Oral Law. It was a common rabbinic thought that leprosy was a consequence of gossip. This lesson came from the passage describing a time Miriam was given leprosy for a week as a punishment for speaking against Moses behind his back. It is almost impossible to adequately stress what Joseph must have felt when he learned his betrothed was already pregnant. Joseph’s early decision to divorce Mary shows his great compassion, not only for his betrothed, but for all who may have committed the sin of gossip when they discovered the pregnancy. Why would God have chosen this set of circumstances to surround the birth of Christ? Later, in the gospel of Matthew, Jesus would teach his disciples that he had not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets, but to fulfill them (Matthew 5:17). Jesus was born into a culture that needed a greater understanding of their religion. The circumstances of Jesus’ birth were thought to be a disgrace when, in truth, they were about grace. Our culture needs a greater understanding of who Jesus is as well. Many people feel condemned by our beliefs and therefore make Christmas about anything but Christ. Every family has a story of disgrace, and Christmas teaches us that we can respond with grace. If we follow Joseph’s example, we may earn the right to share the truth about Christmas more often. “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him” (John 3:17). Look for the chance to share the grace of Christmas with someone, maybe even someone you love, today.