Engaged!

Matthew 1:18 (ESV)
Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.

Betrothal, or engagement to be married, was a serious event in the Jewish culture. The Greek word used here is μνηστευθεισης (mnēsteutheísēs, G3423) and means literally to "give a souvenir" (engagement present). The Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature describes Jewish betrothal as follows:

"Among the Hebrews this relation was usually determined by the parents or brothers, without consulting the parties until they came to be betrothed. The engagement took place very early, as is still the case in Oriental countries, though it was not consummated by actual marriage until the spouse was at least twelve years of age. The betrothing was performed a twelvemonth or more before the marriage, either in writing, or by a piece of silver given to the espoused before witnesses, as a pledge of their mutual engagements. Sometimes a regular contract was made, in which the bridegroom always bound himself to give a certain sum as a portion to his bride. From the time of espousal, however, the woman was considered as the lawful wife of the man to whom she was betrothed: the engagement could not be ended by the man without a bill of divorce; nor could she be unfaithful without being considered an adulteress. Thus Mary, after she was betrothed to Joseph, might, according to the rigor of the law, have been punished if the angel of the Lord had not acquainted Joseph with the mystery of the incarnation."

I remember my mother telling me that in the German Lutheran culture, engagement to be married was an equally serious event. She said that if an engaged couple broke off the engagement, they had to go before the entire congregation and ask for forgiveness. Today, it seems that many couples call each other "fiancee" in an apparent attempt to legitimize the fact that they are living together in fornication.

There's a unique spiritual significance in the Biblical concept of betrothal for us. Jesus is revealed in scripture as the bridegroom and we are His bride. However, the marriage ceremony has not yet taken place. That happens, in Jewish culture, when the bridegroom comes to get his bride at an unannounced time. Sound familiar?

Jesus left us a souvenir: the Holy Spirit, who is the promise that Jesus will return for us, His bride. At the rapture, we will be united with him as He comes back to receive us. But, like the parable of the wise and foolish virgins, we must always be ready with oil in our lamps, for he may return at any time. We do not want to miss the wedding feast.