Not Alone (part 2)

Two weeks ago I wrote about Mary doing the brave thing. And, how God did not abandon her. What amazes me is that there is little mention about her family. But before you go thinking bad things about them let's look again. Note the scriptures don't say her family kicked her out and her betrothed came to her rescue. No, her family stood by her.

In fact, her family grew in size. Where she could have lost a husband, it was Joseph who did the next bravest thing. After his dream he went back to Mary and her family and stepped forward to become the step-father to the Messiah. Mary now had an additional support system to help raise a son, teaching him skills and lessons from the torah.

Of course things weren't always smooth. They had to go to a stable for the night while Mary was in labor. And, yes, Jesus was born there. And while we focus on the awful location I can't help but think that we missed the party. While those who were invited to the birth scene would have marveled at what they saw, don't you think they were laughing and chuckling among each other that it finally happened. The Messiah was here. Celebrating. Hugging one another. Laughing out of shear joy. Slapping Joseph on the back that now he had a son to raise, the blessing of a great responsibility.

I know this sounds strange to many of you because it goes against the grain of what the church has long established. But I have to think that God would not announce this big occurrence then leave a teenage girl to handle it alone.  Yes, the scripture is silent as far as Mary's family goes except in one place. Luke 2:44 tells us the holy family was traveling with family and friends from the Passover celebration in Jerusalem. If they had been abandoned years ago by their families, they would not have been traveling with them when Jesus was twelve.

God knew she would need the help and support of family. Her family knew the huge weight Mary and Joseph carried, and didn't abandon them. They were there. How long were they there? To the end. Mary's sister was at the cross with her. And if you research the names there's a good chance that the sons of thunder were cousins of Jesus.