Joseph: Love in Action
Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:18 NIV
We have spent most of Advent study in the gospel of Luke observing the lives of Elizabeth, Zechariah, and Mary. However, Joseph, Jesus’s father, is mentioned only once in Luke referring to whom Mary is pledged to be married to “a man named Joseph, a descendant of David”. (Luke 1:27)
To find out more about Joseph we go to the first book of the New Testament, the gospel of Matthew.
Not one of Joseph’s words are recorded. He does not burst into song or speech like Mary, Elizabeth, or Zechariah.
Often when something is “left out” of the text, that means we should concentrate on what is included in the text.
What we discover is Joseph is synonymous with action – the Bible records what Joseph did.
What Do We Know About Joseph?
And Joseph, her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. Matthew 1:19
The “betrothal” year was viewed the same as being married. Although Joseph did not have relations or live with Mary during that year, she was considered his wife.
Can you imagine the shock Joseph feels when he discovers Mary is pregnant knowing the child is not his? Is he angry or jealous or betrayed? Is he deeply disappointed?
Joseph’s Hesitation
Joseph, according to Deuteronomy 20:21-22, could have Mary stoned. What advice does he get from friends and relatives? Did at least one person advise him well?
We do well to consult wise people when we encounter hard things.
When we have to do a severe thing, let us choose the tenderest manner. Maybe we shall not have to do it at all. (Spurgeon)
Joseph is not rash, but “considers” what to do. He decides to “send her away secretly”. In this action, we see Joseph is already playing the role of protector.
God Intervenes
God intervenes on behalf of Mary.
God intervenes on our behalf as well. God could choose to condemn us because of our sin, but instead He gives us a path to redemption at the birth of His Son.
But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.”
Joseph’s Sacrificial Choices
And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife..Matthew 1:24
In taking Mary as his wife, Joseph sacrifices much – his reputation, his dream of how he thought his life should go. There does not appear to be a wedding celebration as had been anticipated.
We cannot forget that we model with our choices and with our actions for our children. Joseph modeled well in his immediate obedience when God spoke.
When God Commands, Joseph Does Not Hesitate
When Herod goes on a rage killing every child under the age of two, Joseph has a dream and leaves his country with his family “while it was still night”.
Can you imagine waking your family in the middle of the night, taking only what you can carry, leaving your family behind to go into a new place? Joseph would have had to find housing and work to support his family.
When Herod died, Joseph has a dream telling him to now take his family back to Israel. Upon reaching Israel, Joseph has yet another dream to avoid Judea and go to the regions of Galilee to Nazareth.
I wonder if Joseph went to bed each night wondering if an angel would visit him?
What Kind of Parent Pleases God?
Who did God choose to be the “foster father”, as my Bible Dictionary calls him, for his son? Did he choose the richest man?
We know Joseph and Mary were poor because they gave the offering of the poor at Jesus’s circumcision, two turtle doves instead of a lamb.
We know Joseph was a working class carpenter. Click here for an interesting article on Joseph’s and Jesus’s occupation.
God was looking for an obedient man with a willingness to sacrifice his own needs for his family.
Joseph models sacrificial love in his actions even before Jesus walked the lonely road for us. Joseph’s actions show little concern for himself as he protected the family God has placed in his care.
The Moody Bible Commentary calls him the “Forgotten Hero of Christmas”.
Often Jesus becomes the “forgotten hero” at Christmas as we get “wrapped up” in presents, rather than choosing the one and only present that matters.
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23
Last week I posted our gluten free cut out cookie recipe. Typically, this buttercream is what we frost with, the same one my mom has been making for years.
I also recently discovered Swiss Meringue Buttercream. It is time intensive, but worth the effort. Watch the video and follow instructions to a “tee”!
Explore more holiday links below.
