Gtcotr/ss120813
The
account of Christmas would not be complete without some consideration being
paid to Joseph. You remember Joseph … that young aspiring carpenter from
Nazareth who had been contractually engaged to Mary. Well, you might remember
him but does anyone really know him?
In
all of the Gospel accounts we never hear Joseph speak a word. We understand him
to be a man of great character … perhaps Joseph best represents the “strong
silent” type whose actions speak louder than their words. But, for whatever
reasons, Joseph was God’s choice …
As
I said, Joseph had a marriage contract with a young girl named Mary whose
family had moved from Judea to the Galilee region, as did his own family. Most
likely they relocated to find work. In those days a construction worker was
called a carpenter and Nazareth was a town filled with construction workers who
were employed in the many Roman government building projects of King Herod the
Great.
With
only about 400 families living in Nazareth at that time, it is reasonable to
assume both Mary’s and Joseph’s families knew one another well and had some
former family ties. At any rate, a marriage had been agreed to between Joseph
and Mary and by the time we get to the middle of Matthew’s Gospel, they are in
the engagement period.
A
Jewish marriage of that day had 3 basic stages:
1.
Contractual Stage (Details & Dowry)
2.
Espousal Stage (Engagement period)
3.
Consummation (Actual Wedding)
The
Engagement period could last anywhere from 1 to 14 years depending on when the
couple were betrothed. It was not rare to find families who pledged their
daughters to be married at birth and put signed contracts in place describing
dowry to be paid and fixing a year in which to be married. Falling in love was
not always the initiator of relationships. God arranged the first marriage.
Love is a commandment even when it is not a feeling …
We
don’t know how long Mary had been pledged to Joseph and neither do we know if
it was by Mary’s choice or if it was a parentally arranged marriage. However,
what we do know is that one day, during the engagement period, it was
discovered by Joseph that Mary was pregnant and he knew the child was not his
child. What to do???
Thus
begins Joseph in 3 D … The First “D” stands for “Dilemma”:
1. Joseph’s Dilemma
Matthew 1
18 Now the birth of Jesus
Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before
they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.
19 Then Joseph her husband,
being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was
minded to put her away secretly.
Joseph
was evidently a kind and considerate man who cared about Mary and her future as
well as his own. He thought long and hard about his options and felt it might
be best for all to simply divorce her in private so as not to put her to public
scrutiny, humiliation and shame. No doubt Joseph was disappointed and perhaps he
entertained hurt feelings as well however, he consciously looked beyond his own
hurts and needs to the hurtful impact his actions could potentially have on
others.
People
like this who want to do what’s best for everyone and are willing to do what’s
right even if it costs them personally are never abandoned by God. Joseph was
about to have a God encounter. (The 2nd “D”)
2. Joseph’s Dream
Matthew 1
20 But while he thought about
these things, behold, 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.
21 "And she will bring
forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people
from their sins."
22 So all this was done that
it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying:
23 "Behold, the virgin
shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God
with us."
Joseph’s
dream was no doubt the result of Joseph living close to God. You see, Joseph is
the one man on earth chosen by God to be Jesus’ dad. God, the Father, chose
Joseph to be dad to Jesus His Son.
This
was not the last time Joseph the dad received critical and timely instructions
from God the Father concerning Jesus the Son. Joseph led his family through
many difficult days and kept them one step ahead their enemies all because he was
willing to follow the Word of the Lord.
One Word from God
can change everything.
And, God is always speaking … He simply needs to find those of us who are
willing to listen … and as well, willing to obey! (The last “D”)
3. Joseph’s Decision
Matthew 1
24 Then Joseph, being aroused
from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his
wife,
25 and did not know her till
she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS.
Joseph
received the Word of God as a ‘command’. I like Joseph – he epitomizes a
soldier in the army of God. He simply shows up, does what he is told to do by
his superiors and leaves the rest up to headquarters.
Joseph
did not seem too disturbed about the dream rather he accepted it readily and
immediately obeyed what he knew was the Word of God.
Our
Countdown to Christmas today encourages us to not get locked into our own
remedy for the dilemmas we face in life. God’s plan is the best plan and He is
willing to speak a fresh Word directly to us.
One Word from God changes everything, even our perspectives.
Have you made your
decision to obey the Word of God?
