There are times in life when we find out how much faith we really have. We can say we have faith, but when given a difficult or maybe unbelievable situation we then really find out about our level of faith. That type of situation is the story of Joseph.
Joseph came from the line of David, as did his fiance Mary. They were not wealthy, and Joseph provided for his family by working as a carpenter. Joseph probably passed away before the ministry of Jesus, because it would have been customary for the husband to be older than the wife in New Testament times.
A BUMPY ENGAGEMENT
“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.” Matthew 1:18-19 (NIV)
Mary and Joseph were “betrothed”, which was sort of like an engagement but more binding. They would be considered married, but would not have physical relations until the wedding one year later. Joseph once he heard Mary’s news, he planned to divorce her quietly, he was unwilling to put her to shame because he was a just man.
Mary was pregnant, which led Joseph to a logical but wrong conclusion: he thought Mary had been unfaithful to him and had become pregnant as a result. If Mary had been proven unfaithful, she could have been put to death by law (Deuteronomy 22:13-30). Joseph was dodging this future for Mary, planning to quietly divorce and move on in life.
However, God had other plans.
A DREAM FROM GOD
“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 1:20-21 (NIV)
Joseph must have been devastated and heartbroken. Mary seemed to have been unfaithful, and all his plans for their future together were shattered. But sometimes God brings great blessing in the middle of suffering. One night as Joseph slept, an angel came to him in a dream and delivered a message from God that completely changed his viewpoint. The message had several parts:
Joseph was reminded that he was a descendant of David.
The angel commanded him to not fear and to take Mary as his wife. This was a change of direction from what he was about to do.
The angel gave a new explanation for why Mary was pregnant–it was a miracle from God.
Joseph was given a gender reveal–the child would be a son.
The angel told Joseph to give the name Jesus to the child. Jesus means “God saves”–He will save His people from their sins.
A PAST PROMISE
“All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel’ (which means ‘God with us’). Matthew 1:22-23 (NIV)
Isaiah the prophet had prophesied several hundred years earlier that a virgin would conceive, have a son, and be named Immanuel–God with us.
THE BIRTH AND AN OBEDIENT FATHER
“When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. ‘But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave Him the name Jesus.” Matthew 1:24-25 (NIV)
In faith, Joseph obeyed God and carried out the message of the angel. He married Mary and even abstained from physical relations. As promised, she had a son, and Joseph obeyed again and named the baby Jesus.
Though Joseph and Mary were faithful and believed, the path ahead was not easy. Joseph would have been considered as impregnating Mary before marriage or Mary seen as being unfaithful.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
A key question from this part of the Christmas story is: Do you believe that Jesus can save people from their sins? Do you believe that Jesus can save you from your sins? Imagine giving up reputation, plans, and direction to walk by faith and find salvation in Jesus. Joseph did. He married Mary and was faithful to God, irregardless of what other people said.
A baby was born, He is Jesus and He will save you from your sins if you only believe!
