LET NOT YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED!
Greetings church family!
"The birth of Jesus Christ came about this way: After his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, it was discovered before they came together that she was pregnant from the Holy Spirit." Matthew 1:18
In ancient Hebrew tradition, when a man was of age and desired to marry the woman he loved, he would travel to that woman’s home and meet with her father. The man and the father would negotiate the “ketubbah” (the written contract). The “kettubah” would include the man’s promises to care for the father’s daughter, both relationally and financially.
After settling the “kettubah”, the man would pay the father a “mohar” (the price for marrying the father's daughter). Typically, the “mohar” would be at least a year's wages. This cost reflected man’s love for the woman, and his willingness to sacrifice for her.
With all of this, nothing was a guarantee unless the woman agreed to be married to the man. Once the “mohar” and “kettubah” were established, the man would approve the woman with wine. He would pour the wine into 2 cups - one for him and one for her. The man would then drink from his cup. If the woman chose not to drink from her cup, there would be no engagement. However, if she chose to drink from her cup, that symbolized her desire to be engaged to him. In Hebrew tradition, the engagement was as binding as marriage, but with no physical intimacy involved.
Once engaged, the man would announce that he would leave to go and make a home ready for his bride-to-be, usually at his father's house. This period of absence could be anywhere from 1 - 7 years. Before leaving, the man would present to his bride-to-be the “matan” (an expensive gift). The purpose of the giving of the “matan” was to assure the bride-to-be that though her groom-to-be was leaving, he would return.
This is the tradition that Joseph and Mary likely took part in to become engaged. What's beautiful is that within the story of Jesus’ first coming, this tradition points to his second coming!
Later, near the end of his life, when Jesus is with his disciples at the last supper, he shared these words.
"Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father's home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.” John 14:1-3
Join us this Sabbath as we take time to reflect on heaven, that beautiful place Jesus is preparing for us. As we reflect, Jesus reminds us that the chaos of this world need not trouble our hearts. He's about to bring about a new one. Hallelujah!
How wonderful it is to know that God is for us, God is with us, and God loves us!
Pastor Chris
