This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:18-21

Joseph initially thought about doing what we might have done: divorce her quietly. Mary was pledged to Joseph, and in his mind, she had disgraced him. The conversation between the two that led to his thoughts must have seemed bizarre and unreal. He could have been angry and disappointed.

But the Bible tells us that an angel of the Lord appeared and set him straight. It was a supernatural event to explain another supernatural event. The angel addressed Joseph as the son of David. That title I’m certain was not lost on Joseph. He knew the significance of being in the lineage of David: the messiah would come out of the line of David.

Joseph was human just like you and me. He doubted like we would have. Then, when confronted, he believed. Were there lingering doubts in his mind about Mary? Probably though Scripture does not say.

The Scriptures still speak to us today. Often we have a hard time believing what they have to say.

So, what are you having a hard time believing?