Monday, January 2

An unsung hero

Scripture: Matthew 1 

Matthew 1:19–20 Because Joseph, her husband to be, was a righteous man, and because he did not want to disgrace her, he intended to divorce her privately. 20 When he had contemplated 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 as your wife, because the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.”

Observation

Matthew records the birth story from Joseph’s perspective (Luke from Mary’s). What do we know about Joseph?

  • He was a righteous man. He did what was right, what God required. This was usually said of someone who was observant of the Jewish law. 
  • He did not want to expose Mary to public disgrace. He was decent. He could have been angry and vengeful; instead, he was kind and thoughtful. 
  • He intended to divorce Mary privately. This statement combines the previous two. Because he was righteous, he had no choice but to end the engagement. Because he was kind, he intended to do it privately to spare Mary.
  • His preferred method of hearing from God seemed to be via dreams. Four times in chapters 1-2 the Lord directed Joseph by speaking to him in a dream. 
  • He obeyed when God spoke—every time. His obedience was essential—it was the difference between life and death for baby Jesus, and probably for him and Mary too. 

Joseph is the unsung hero in the birth story; most of the focus has been on Mary. After Matthew 2, Joseph disappears from the Jesus story. The assumption is that he died sometime after Jesus was 12 and before Jesus was 30 and launched his ministry. But his part in the story was essential both to keeping the baby alive and raising Jesus, being a good example, and getting him to manhood. God chose Joseph for good reason to be Jesus’ father. 

Application

A few applications from Joseph’s example:

First, be righteous—do the right thing. Do what God wants. This was important to Joseph and should be to me too.

Second, be kind—do the loving thing. Always choose kindness over retribution. Take the high road. Joseph must have felt hurt and betrayed when he learned of Mary’s pregnancy and the natural response is payback in kind. Instead, he took the high road of kindness. 

Third, be attentive—listen for God’s voice. For Joseph, that came in a dream. He could have easily dismissed the dream; instead, he paid attention. How does God speak to you? Pay attention.

Fourth, be obedient. When God speaks, do what He says. Joseph did—every time. I want to do the same. 

Prayer: I love you Lord. Thanks for the details about Joseph. They inspire me. Help me be righteous, kind, attentive and obedient—not just today, but as a lifestyle.