Mid-week Advent 1
November 30, 2016
Characters of the Nativity-Joseph
Matthew 1:18-25
INTRODUCTION: 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.*
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.
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”
+ Sola Deo Gloria +
* Zondervan Pictorial
Encyclopedia of the Bible, Grand Rapids MI D. G. Stewart
editor
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