We sing about the kings, we sing about the shepherds, we sing about Mary, and of course we sing praises to Jesus, our Lord and Savior. What about Joseph, Mary’s husband? He is an unsung hero in our nativity scene. What can we learn of him, who was he?
Mt 1:16 and to Jacob was born Joseph the husband of Mary, by whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
Joseph had future plans of a wedding to Mary. He was a carpenter (Mt 13:55), so we can conclude he was a skilled worker. Picture him, going about his plans, working towards this future time of marriage, then the bomb drops!
Mt 1:18-19 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows. When His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. 19 And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man, and not wanting to disgrace her, desired to put her away secretly.
We don’t know exactly how or when he found out about Mary’s unique pregnancy, but we do know he was rightfully a little taken back. He acted mercifully towards her which gives us a picture of a compassionate heart and tender feelings for Mary. He wasn’t going to hand her over to Jewish law and its consequences. He chose not to throw her ‘under the bus’. So he decides to quietly, (rather than publicly), end his betrothal to her and avoid her shame. Think for a moment, Joseph and Mary’s betrothal was not a secret, it was publicly known that they had plans for the future to be together. Suddenly this would change and no matter how discreet Joseph chose to be, the word would get out. Certainly, people would talk and his name, along with Mary’s, would be up for questioning and raised eyebrows.
Matthew 1:19 says Joseph was a righteous or just man. Yet we also see he is thoughtful, ‘not wanting to disgrace’ Mary.
Consider. We live in a world where accusations are quick and biting, often without merit. People’s reputations can be ruined. It seems, in general, our society has forgotten the choice to remain silent and show mercy towards those found in difficult and even guilty circumstances. Perhaps we can be reminded of the necessity to act in a manner that is righteous but also tempered with a large dose of gentleness, humility and mercy towards others.
Fact – God continually shows mercy to us in His faithfulness to forgive.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
According to Albert Barnes’ New Testament Commentary, the punishment for adultery, in the Middle East carried extreme public shame. “Adultery has always been considered a crime of a very heinous nature. In Egypt it was punished by cutting off the nose of the adulteress; in Persia the nose and ears were cut off; in Judea the punishment was death by stoning”.
Joseph had every right to bring a public accusation against Mary, yet he chose to ‘put her away secretly’ preserving her shame and character.
Ps 112:4-5 Light arises in the darkness for the upright; [He is] gracious and compassionate and righteous. 5 It is well with the man who is gracious and lends; He will maintain his cause in judgment.
Consider. We often hear the words, ‘It isn’t fair’. Perhaps you have personally thought the words, ‘This is not right’. The temptation is to defend yourself against something that looks bad for you. Our example in Joseph is to put another’s protection above our own ‘rights’ and even our own innocence.
Think back upon how God ordains each of His children’s steps. Before all time, God chose Joseph to be a player in the miraculous birth of Jesus. God knew that Joseph would react towards Mary’s circumstances with a heart of care and protection, even in his own distress from what seemed to be his future wife’s betrayal. So while he could have her persecuted, he chose to preserve her.
Read this interesting comment about Joseph’s character written in the British Family Bible: “he purposed to put his spouse away privily, that he might preserve her reputation. In so doing he was a pattern of charity, and reads to us a rule for our deportment towards erring and lapsed persons, that we should treat them with meekness, and pity, and fear; not hastening their shame, nor provoking their spirit, nor making their reformation desperate by harsh treatment. Bp. J. Taylor.
We do know that God comes to the rescue of Mary’s reputation and encourages Joseph to remain and follow through with his plans for their future. However, a personal application is apparent first.
Consider. Before an ‘angel of the Lord’ appeared to Joseph in a dream and enlightened him on the true facts of Mary’s condition, Joseph acted with a heart of kindness and mercy towards her. Before Joseph was convinced of the truth of the matter, he chose to quietly put her away rather than openly shame her. Before God’s plan was revealed, Joseph chose Mary’s protection over his own rights.
“Mary was espoused to him, and he was saddened and perplexed when he learned that she would become a mother before they had been actually married. Many would have thrust her away in indignation, and put her to an open shame; but Joseph was of royal mind as well as royal race. He would not expose what he thought to be the sin of his espoused wife: although he felt that she must be put away, he would do it quietly. When we have to do a severe thing, let us choose the tenderest manner. May be, we shall not have to do it at all.” Spurgeon’s Commentary on Matthew
We all have choices to act in a manner of mercy towards one another. We all have choices to protect another’s name and well-being. Often, we weigh ourselves and our benefit first. How tender are our actions and thoughts towards the mistakes and circumstances of others?
Clemency is not a word often used today. It conveys the meaning of being lenient and showing compassion towards others who are guilty when you are in a position of bringing down a judgement or sentence.
God’s intervention and lovingkindness is shown towards Mary and Joseph in their precarious relationship. As Joseph was pondering what to do with this situation of Mary’s pregnancy, divine intervention eased his thoughts.
Mt 1:20-21 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 that which has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 "And she will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins."
Seriously?! So here we have a carpenter from Nazareth, engaged to be married to a young women whom he finds is expecting a child before they have had a physical relationship. Joseph decides to act in a discreet manner towards this news to avoid Mary’s shame. He will call off the engagement and pray any ‘talk’ will settle down quickly. Problem solved, or so you would think!
Joseph has a dream which enlightens the true events and he is pulled into the scene which is to unfold. An angel tells him to move ahead with his plans to betroth Mary. He is given this fantastical – meaning ludicrously odd – news that the child Mary is carrying has been conceived of the Holy Spirit. I’m not sure how you would wrap your head around this information.
Consider. Joseph must have had a faith that transcends our understanding. How would you respond to impossible, and humanly speaking, the improbable news of this dream? Joseph’s thoughts must be akin to when Mary was visited by the angel Gabriel to tell her of God’s plan for her to carry His child – although she knew no man (Luke 1:34-35).
What is Joseph’s response? He did as the angel of the Lord commanded him.
Mt 1:24 And Joseph arose from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took [her] as his wife
A carpenter from Nazareth in the hills of Galilee had plans to marry a young woman from the same city. His plans take a turn that was definitely unexpected and incredibly difficult in human understanding. Yet, Joseph’s faith proves true as he moves forward into unknown territory with a heart of obedience towards God. Think of Joseph’s humble character as he accepts Mary as his wife, and prepares to step-father a child not his own, all the while, trying to wrap his head around a story that would be difficult for anyone to grasp. He will go ahead with his betrothal to Mary and take a significant role in the Savior’s birth and early childhood.
I have to pause a moment here as these words shout in my own head – How big is your God? How amazing and incredible is your God? How perfect is your God who knows and plans each moment in each minute of all mankind – all to His glorious name?
This story has more twists and turns than any modern day screen writer could imagine. Yet, it is ultimately true and divinely inspired as the plan of salvation for the entire world.
In several instances, we read of Joseph’s obedience to Jewish Law (Lu 2:1-4; 21-39, 41; Mt 2:13-15; Mt 2:19-23; Lu 2:42-51). The greater commendation is his obedience to God and acceptance of God’s plan for him.
Joseph was of the lineage of David. He lived in the city of Nazareth in Galilee (Luke 1:26-27). Although he was not the physical father of Jesus, he acted as a father to Him (Luke 4:22). He is last mentioned in the journey to Jerusalem when Jesus was twelve years old. According to the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, ‘it is commonly supposed that he [Joseph] died before the commencement of the public ministry of Christ.
Joseph, Mary’s husband. We are shown only a glimpse, a small window of his life. Yet, the inspiration is great. He is a person, drawn towards God and used by Him. A carpenter from a town in the hills of Galilee with a heart of compassion and integrity and thoughtfulness. Joseph is willing and obedient to the plans of God and humble in his acceptance of God’s direction. There is no way he would be able to comprehend such an incredible plot yet he finds himself in the midst of the true story of God’s redemption for the entire world.
The figure of Joseph is commonly placed next to Mary in a Christian nativity scene, simply because we know he belongs there, he is a factor in the account of Jesus’ birth. Yet, as we take a closer look at his life, we can see clearly how God used our ‘unsung’ hero. Think upon the example we have in Joseph – a heart full of compassion, humility, faith, and obedience – a man used by God for God in His plan for humanity.
Mt 1:25 and [Joseph] kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus.