TUESDAY
WAS THE BLESSED VIRGIN AWARE OF THE STRUGGLING BACHELOR’S PERSONAL DEALINGS WITH THE ANGELS?
(Matthew 1:25) “And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.”
According to Matthew Henry; “If we know not the way of the Spirit in the formation of common persons, nor how the bones are formed in the womb of any one that is with child (Ecclesiastes 11:5), much less do we know how the blessed Jesus was formed in the womb of the blessed virgin. When David admires how he himself was made in secret, and curiously wrought (Psalm 139:13–16), perhaps he speaks in the spirit of Christ’s incarnation. Some circumstances attending the birth of Christ we find here which are not in Luke, though it is more largely recorded here. Here we have, I. Mary’s espousal to Joseph. Mary, the mother of our Lord, (in the flesh, of the Holy Spirit) was espoused to Joseph, not completely married, but contracted; a purpose of marriage solemnly declared in words de futuro—that regarding the future, and a promise of it made if God permit. We read of a man who has betrothed a wife and has not taken her, (Deuteronomy 20:7). Christ was born of a virgin, but a betrothed virgin, 1. To put respect upon the marriage state, and to recommend it as honourable among all, against that doctrine of devils which forbids to marry, and places perfection in the single state. Who more highly favoured than Mary was in her espousals? 2. To save the credit of the blessed virgin, which otherwise would have been exposed. It was fit that her conception should be protected by a marriage, and so justified in the eye of the world. One of the ancients says, It was better it should be asked, Is not this the son of a carpenter? than, Is not this the son of a harlot?(The Bible Collection) (Matthew 1:24) “Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:”
