Today we look at Joseph’s side of the Christmas story! Can you imagine the emotions he must have gone through?
We know that Joseph was betrothed to Mary. At some point he finds out she is pregnant. We don’t know how, but one might hope that Mary told him. And if she did, can you imagine the conversation? “Joseph, I have something amazing to tell you. I was visited by an angel. He told me the Holy Spirit would come over me and I would become pregnant supernaturally. And guess what? It happened, and I’m not having my periods, and I’m pregnant! Can you believe it?”
What would you say? “That’s crazy – Mary you aren’t pregnant. Something else must be going on with your body!. . . Oh, you really are pregnant – how could you? So, there is someone else. I thought you loved me.”
Regardless of how the conversation went we know that in Matthew 1:19 it says that “Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.” Though Joseph and Mary were not living together and had not consummated their marriage physically, the commitment to do so had already been made and he was considered her “husband” in Jewish culture.
I’m sure Joseph felt betrayed! So, it is only loving that God sends Joseph an angel as well. In Matthew 1:20-21 in the midst of Joseph’s pain and questions it says, “An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.’”
What’s amazing is Joseph’s response. Verse 24 says, “Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife.”
When God speaks, do you believe? It’s easy to say, “God send me an angel and then I will believe.” But would you? Remember the price Joseph paid by saying yes. How many times was he looked at as “less than” for not waiting until the appointed time to consummate the marriage. Or how does Joseph handle things as Jesus grows up? What about the time when his friends and neighbors go to throw “his” son Jesus off a cliff near Nazareth after Jesus reads and proclaims to fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah 61. Joseph’s life would never be the same.
Interestingly enough, there are no words of Joseph recorded in the Bible. We have a saying, “Actions speak louder than words.” Joseph acted on what God spoke to him through the angel.
This week, let’s ask ourselves, “Am I acting on what God has spoken to me?” Believe God’s words and step out in obedience!
