From time to time, we like to get into a redo project. Sometimes things get into a mess before we end up making a picturesque creation. Last week, we saw how the redo of Mary’s life was going to create some challenging situations. Now, Joseph faces obstacles.
Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but . . . Matthew 1:18
Always be aware of those “buts!” Scripture tells us “but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.”
This tells us that it was a virgin birth and since that is impossible, Mary received conception through the Holy Spirit of God Himself.
It seems that Joseph knows only the first half of this declaration and is tossing around possible solutions in his mind. He knows he is not the father and worries that she could be stoned for this (assumed) immoral behavior, but
Joseph was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, so he had in mind to divorce her quietly. Matthew 1:19
One might wonder if this sort of thing could ever be done “quietly” in the little town of Nazereth, but that was his mindset as a kind, righteous man. When he went to bed that night, an angel appeared to him in a dream giving him assurance and a command.
“Do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save people from their sins.” Matthew1:20-21
“Jesus” means God saves. Indeed, God would give salvation through this, His Son. Not only that, God would become “with us” in the form of this earth man, Jesus. Even Isaiah gave the prochecy of this happening when he said,
The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him “Immanuel” which means “God with us.” Matthew 1:24 and Isaiah 7:14
Obedient to the core, this common carpenter took Mary as his wife and cared for her and this precious Son of God.
Joseph’s journeys took the two of them to Bethlehem where he served as mid-wife (or procured one). Later, Joseph obeyed another dream vision to take the family to Egypt when Jesus was at a young age. When they returned to Nazareth, Joseph likely taught Jesus the carpentry trade.
The last time we hear of Joseph is when they take Jesus to the Temple and accidently lose him when he is talking with the Temple leaders.
What a redo for Joseph, but like Mary, Joseph remained faithful to the task given him.
May the Lord find us faithful in what he calls us to do or redo our lives.
~ Joyce ~