Joseph’s obedient faith

MATTHEW 1:18-20 | PAMELA GLOVER

‘This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered 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 home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.’

Christmas arrangements can be complicated. But nothing compares with the complexity of the very first Christmas. God was on the move. .

This was not just a God-breathed moment, it was a God-coming-in-person moment. This was the moment in history when the Saviour, prophesied through the Old Testament, was coming to dwell with us.  It was going to be a birth like no other, coming to pass, quietly, discreetly and with the utmost concern for a young couple tasked with human parental care for Jesus the Messiah.  

" .... his mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit." (v18)

What a shock this must have been for Joseph. However, in v19 we learn about Joseph's godly character in his devotion to God and through his gracious instinct to protect Mary, even though it could have cost him the relationship: "Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly."

God gives Joseph head space to think, before sending an angel of the Lord to him in a dream. (What a beautifully confidential way to communicate with Joseph.)  Immediately the angel's greeting, "Joseph son of David" endorses Joseph in his role within the genealogy of the Messiah, followed by the very clear reassurance, "Do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit."

Heavenly Father, today we have been thinking about the role of Joseph who You entrusted with this care package for Mary, his wife, ahead of the birth of the Messiah.  In this busy month of December, may we take time to marvel afresh at the coming of Your Son and ponder the meticulous preparations You put in place for His arrival.