Just Be a Man About It

Matthew 1:18-25
These are the facts concerning the birth of Jesus Christ: His mother, Mary was engaged to be married to Joseph. But while she was still a virgin she became pregnant by the Holy Spirit. The Joseph, her fiancé', being a man of stern principle, decided to break the engagement but to do it quietly, as he didn't want to publicly disgrace her. As he lay awake considering this, he fell into a dream, and saw an angel standing beside him. "Joseph, son of David," the angel said, "don't hesitate to take Mary as your wife! For the child within her has been conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a Son, and you shall name him Jesus (meaning 'Savior'), for he will save his people from their sins. This will fulfill God's message through his prophets--
"Listen! The virgin shall conceive a child! She shall give birth to a Son, and he shall be called "Emmanuel" (meaning, "God is with us")." When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel commanded, and brought Mary home to be his wife, but she remained a virgin until her Son was born; and Joseph named him "Jesus".

Reflection:

As a single parent I have encountered, as I am sure many others have, men who did not date women that have children. I am in no way ashamed of my son and since I am a package deal I would turn from those men. If my son is not accepted then I can not deal. I am also reminded of a woman I knew who would not allow her dates to come home because she did not want them to know she had children. This man, for her, had all the characteristics she liked in a man but he did not like to date women with children and she had three. Then on the other hand I know a woman who has two children and every man she meets comes home and it is not long before her children are calling this man "daddy". We have to be careful that we do not either abandon our children for the sake of a man or rush the man into something he may not be ready for.

In today's scripture we see Joseph, who is a righteous man (a man who lives his life according to God's plan). Joseph is engaged to Mary who, as far as he knows is a virgin. During their engagement Mary ends up pregnant. Joseph was like 'Hold up', I did not sleep with her so how is she pregnant and by who? I can not marry her if she is not going to be faithful. But you see Joseph was a noble man and did not want to hurt Mary so he decided to quietly break the engagement. When God has a plan He executes His plan. That is why He sent the angel to Joseph. The angel explained that the baby Mary was carrying was from the Holy Spirit and was being sent to save people of their sins. Joseph was told that he should not only marry Mary, He should also raise Jesus as his own child. Being obedient, Joseph married Mary.

So many men lay down with a woman and do not take into consideration the consequences of their actions. If the woman has children, this kind of man is careful to come over once the children are sleep. "A BOOTIE CALL!" Let's examine our text in relation to today's times. Joseph a strong man has the woman of his dreams in his life. This woman, he believes was heaven sent, and he loves her. Despite all the hell he will get from his boys about being with a woman who has a child by someone else, Joseph not only marries Mary, he raises Jesus as if he were is own. Joseph does not do it for recognition or praise but because he loves Mary and it is what God wanted. A big man is the man that despite the fact that the child is not his biologically loves the woman and her child.

When a farmer buys land he has to take all that comes with the land. Now he may groom the land but ultimately he has to handle ALL that comes with it. When someone buys a home that was previously lived in, they accept with the purchase of that home, all the problems that may come with it. Yes they will do some repairs but once they have closed the deal it is their responsibility to keep the house at acceptable standards according to the real estate law. The same is true of a man who dates a woman with children. This man has to understand that the woman is a package deal. If you date her you also date her children. Women if you are dating a man who does not appreciate all of you (which includes your children) you need to kick him to the curb. Do not think for one minute that you have to slight your children in order to be happy. I am sure that if Joseph was not obedient and did not marry Mary, God would have place another man in her life to raise Jesus the way he wanted him to be raised. There are men in this world that want to be a father, mentor or even just a friend to child (especially male) who do not have an active father in their lives. There are also men who will not only date you but be very active with your children. Men don't think that God does not know when you are not responsible and when you are only using the woman for self gain.
Years ago the secular music artict Toni Braxton had a song. Her song suggest, that men step up to the plate, accept the package and ‘Just be a man about it.’

Be Blessed and Encouraged