Matthew 1:18-25 KJV
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Joseph response to God was to obey the angel of the Lord and took unto himself his wife, and knew her not until after the birth of her firstborn son. God's pleased with those of faith that obey him, without question. Yet those that question, are often reproofed like Zacharias. Mary obedient as well. It states the point of their holiness to guard their marriage physical union until after birth of Jesus. The purity of the situation was important to the birth of Christ. One might think these things unimportant, or trivial with all we know about babies being born, mothers and fathers still uniting after pregnancy. It all had to do with purity and holiness of who was being carried in Mary's womb. Mary was to be a virgin not just sexually, but holy unto God like a Nazarite in Old Testament scripture. John the Baptist was a type of Nazarite when growing up and while he preached, called to do the will of God for a purpose for a particular time period. John demise of his call would end in death being beheaded, Mary call would end has she became Joseph wife in relationship regarding their marriage, but continue as she served as Jesus' mother, tending to the needs of her family, even through out Jesus' ministry. Yet her call to minister as a human mother. Not as holy vessel or ark for God's Son continual, but for a time period til Jesus could be delivered.

Who else was a Nazarite in scripture Samson, who was not to cut his long hair or his strength would leave. When hair was cut he was imprisoned by the enemy only to be kept til his hair grew long once more, and he took up his cross and carried out the destruction of the people that mocked God and him, by destroying Dagon's temple and all that were within the walls of it. One dedication, one calling to pure holiness might be for a particular event, it maybe that it has a stop point either caused by our own will, like in the story of Samson caused by his sin, or it continues on in obedience to God in righteous living. Mary and Joseph lived out their lives in righteous living. We do not know the exact date of Joseph death and some even thought he died before the time of the cross. I not sure if there is recorded of Joseph death in church/jewish records, but I am mentioning it, for those that might want to look for the information. Mary is said to have been resurrected in catholic records from the ancients, no clue on this myself, it not part of the Biblical legends I grew up with. Does not make it less so. Yet the holiness of Mary and her purity was so important to the time of Jesus birth it only makes sense that God instructions were given to someone that would follow the call on their life, or perhaps God put their thoughts and mindset into pure holiness as well. No lust, no desire, no wanting of sexual desire until after Christ birth. There is no evidence of this, but if Mary was to be living in holiness to that degree she would have to be in a state of mind to not chase after her human desires in marriage.

Not all minister in scripture are Nazarites and that is interesting point, not all with the same type of purity called upon in their life. Moses was not called to be a Nazarite but called by God to deliver and lead the people to the promise land. His purity perhaps more like Christian minister today in regards to tending to the people's spiritual needs as minister, teacher and often shepherding or directing God's people in the pathways of righteousness. The Nazarite might be called, but like Samson he was not obedient to holy living, but a warrior mentality did he have, and his lust and desire outweighed his call on his life, which God use to place him in a place he could destroy the idol Dagon's temple. One might want to think all callings are to be so purified but not in all cases is this true. Moses purity did not stop him from having wives, nor sinning against God that cost him the promise land. Yet he was in God's presence talking and conversing with God.

Perhaps my point is not all called by God or called to ministry have a purified life style of complete holiness unto God has Mary did while she carried Jesus. If you think a minister is not living up to his call, you better wake up and realize that call is not for you decide how she or he is to live it. Yet there things that can be learned about those that are not living up to what one might consider their call, it for a purpose and designed by God knowing the intimate details of a person life, that we might not understand? God's main call in your life as a believer is to believe and obey him. His yoke is not a burden that one can not bear without learning full reliance on Him to enable you to carry your cross. What makes a believer holy, is following God's leadership in one's life, and laying down all manner of sin against who, God. We read about insurrection in regards to the cleansing of the temple and ask ourselves was world try to pigeon hole Jesus in his humanity, or his holiness. What made him holy still kept him holy even unto cross, yet his sin was against man's laws, legal system of that day.

Nato fights for human rights, and yet most would agree even in countries of Nato human rights are sometimes not protected by the laws, despite the value of the laws. Laws are not perfect, yet they are to instill safety to citizens of all countries that desire to abide by them. Yet not all countries want even these laws. Think for a moment how man churches sell tapes in the back of the sanctuary after a Christian concert? What if Jesus walked in? Despite what it may be used for would he not still turn the tables over. Would the government fine someone for destruction of property if anything is broken? No our nation is not about separation of church and state, it is about freedom to worship, to seek sanctuary for religious conviction that does not harm others. The temple might of built for God but was it still God's house the answer is it should of been, but was and is during the time of Christ.

Dear Heavenly Father, we wonder about this holiness you called Mary to, only to see she had liberty after her time of fullfillment. Liberty to love and bear more children. Lord as each person yields to your will in their life, call them into the holiness that is like your own holiness, but also to accomplish your will in the lives of a people and nations, in Jesus precious name, Amen.

Continual Scripture Study: Hebrews 12:1-14 KJV
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;
13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: