Crazy love …

Have you ever experienced “crazy love”?

You know, that, “I just can’t fathom living without you!” kind of love.

That all-consuming, makes you almost giddy kind of love.

That kind of love for someone where you gladly put their interest before yours, where you delight in serving them, where simply being near them makes your heart full.

I think that’s likely the kind of love Joseph had for Mary.

It must have been, for him to do what he did.

What did he do?

He kept loving her.

Step back for a minute and think about Joseph’s experience. If you’ve ever experienced crazy love for someone, then had them cheat on you, you’ve known one of the deepest, harshest, ugliest pains a person can experience.

For a brief time, Joseph experienced that with Mary.

One minute, he couldn’t wait for the wedding; the next, she’s telling him she’s pregnant.

Pregnant?!

Joseph knew he wasn’t the father. That clearly meant she had cheated on him.

The scripture doesn’t capture the tale of Joseph’s heartbreak, but his love must have been deep to decide not to publicly embarrass Mary.

But then she tells Joseph the baby is from God.

Imagine how that must have stung Joseph!

“First you tell me you’re pregnant, so that means you must have been cheating on me, but now you’re going to lie to me by claiming God made you pregnant?!” is something like what Joseph must have wanted to say.

Maybe he actually said it.

Added to his hurt had to be anger, even a righteous indignation.

Until God cleared up the matter.

And guess what … Joseph believed God!

Imagine the depth of faith and obedience it took for Joseph to believe that something that had never occurred in human history — a virgin birth — was the true story behind his fiance’s pregnancy.

It must have been crazy love.

For God, and for Mary.

Scotty