Advent mid-week 1
3
December 2015
Characters of the Nativity
-Joseph
Matthew 1:18-25
Matthew 1:18-25
Joseph, the husband of Mary, the mother of Jesus. The gospels of
Matthew and Luke assert that Jesus was born to Mary at a time when she was
betrothed to Joseph, before their marriage was consummated (Matthew 1:18; Luke
1:27, 35).
Joseph was a carpenter (Matthew 13:55), and was known as a “just”
man (Matthew 1:19). When he learned that Mary was bearing a child, he was
understandably disturbed. When he learned that she was to become the mother of
Israel’s Messiah through the instrumentality of the Holy Spirit, he proceeded
with his plans which brought him, with Mary, to Bethlehem where the child Jesus
was born. [1]
Through circumstances and influences beyond his control Joseph was
given his place in history. What lessons can be gleaned from his life’s story?
Our text answers these questions this evening.
1. Joseph is a man of profound
conviction tempered with compassion.
He knew of two realities. First, Mary to whom he was engaged was
expecting a child. He also knows he is not the Father. Our text reminds us“…Mary
was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was
found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.” (v.18)
Joseph, being a just man, tried to conform his life to the Jewish
law. “Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want
to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.”
(v.19) Here we see Joseph’s dilemma. Whose reputation, he pondered, should be
tarnished Mary’s or his own? That was the issue with which he was wrestling.
Joseph felt betrayed, he loved Mary, yet he didn’t want to “expose her to
public disgrace.”
If he were to continue in the relationship most people would
simply conclude that after they were engaged but before they were married - she
was expecting their first child. There would be some embarrassment. It would be
awkward. But hopefully, in time the humiliation would subside. But could
he trust her? What guarantee would he have that she would disappoint him again?
If unfaithfulness was a part of her character what would be the
consequences in the future? If word got out that he had married her, knowing
full well that the child was not his, what sort of aspersions would be cast in
his direction!
What he planned to do was to use the most private form of a legal
divorce, handing a letter to Mary in the presence of only two witnesses to whom
he needed not give his reasons.
When we must choose – choose wisely. Often we are forced to make
decisions in life in which the outcome will not necessarily be pleasant.
When we have to choose “the lesser of two evils” as Joseph, we need to wrestle
and pray. Actions do have their consequences. Joseph did not act rashly.
Decisions reached hastily are often ill advised. Patience is needed when the
situation is serious.
2. Joseph also learned that we are placed
in these challenging circumstances for God to do His best work. Divine intervention was necessary in Joseph’s situation. “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.” - Matthew 1:20
The angel reminded Joseph of the greatness of his ancestry to
assure him that his resolution was right insofar as Joseph knew the
circumstances. Joseph knew of only outward circumstances. The Lord sees beyond
these things. It is His responsibility to act.
It was Joseph would name this child. He would be given the name
“Jesus” which means literally - ‘God saves!’ - For this Jesus is the Christ and
He will save His people from their sins. The salvation from sin through this
child Jesus is what Joseph and his family had hoped for so many generations.
God was about to act and Joseph would see it. Not only would this child be
called ‘Jesus’ but also “Emmanuel” – ‘God who is with us’ – the manifestation
of God who is in our midst.
3. We see that Joseph is a man of
profound faith. Joseph’s faith is
seen and demonstrated in his immediate obedience to the commands the angel
gives him. “When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had
commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.” Matthew 1:24
Joseph came to know a profound truth. God is with us. So often we
may live our lives with little awareness of how close God really is to us. The
reality of our Christian existence is this: God is with us. It took a life
changing moment in Joseph’s life to come to this conclusion.
Tonight God is saying to
you - in all of life’s circumstances and in all of life’s decisions “I am with
you” for this Jesus whose birth we celebrate this season is ‘Emmanuel’ – “the
God who is with us” –He is ‘Jesus’ - “the God who saves”
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