Matthew 1:18-21 (WEB)
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was like this: After his mother, Mary, was engaged to Joseph, before they came together, she was found pregnant by the Holy Spirit. Joseph, her husband, being a righteous man, and not willing to make her a public example, intended to put her away secretly. But when he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take to yourself Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She shall give birth to a son. You shall name him Jesus, for it is he who shall save his people from their sins.”
Have you ever wondered why there are so many songs about Mary and Baby Jesus, but there are very few songs about Joseph? I actually didn’t know any songs about Joseph until I did an internet search. Mary and Jesus take center stage in the story of Jesus’ birth, while Joseph remains in the background, a supporting character, never in the lime light. Yet it was Joseph’s steadiness, protection, and swift action that carried Mary and Jesus through some pretty difficult times.
Maybe we don’t know much about Joseph because he seems to be a man of few words. There are actually no recorded words from Joseph in the Bible. Even Zacharias, who was struck dumb when he didn’t believe the angel’s message, has more spoken words recorded in Scripture than Joseph. Luke 1:67-79 records Zacharias’ long poem of praise, the release of pent-up words finally being spoken once his son was born. But we never get to read one word spoken by Joseph. What we do know about Joseph we have learned from his actions.
We are introduced to Joseph as he struggles with how to respond to his apparently unfaithful fiancée. His future bride is pregnant, and he knows for sure that he is not the father of the baby. He must be reeling from the surprise and betrayal. But we don’t find him angry or trying to make things hard for Mary. He is actually trying to protect her from public disgrace by quietly handling the situation in a way that would be best for her. He comes across as kind, thoughtful, and unselfish in every way.
We are told by Matthew that he is a righteous man. And by Joseph’s response to this whole situation, it would appear his righteousness is not like that of the Pharisees. It seems it is more like the righteousness that his future son, James, writes about in James 1:26-27. James says that a righteous person is someone who holds his tongue and takes care of those in need. It makes me wonder if James was thinking about his father when he wrote those words.
In any case, while Joseph is thinking about the best way to take care of his wayward bride, he falls asleep. And that’s when the angel of the Lord speaks to him in a dream. Surprisingly, the angel addresses him not by the name everyone else would have known him by, which was Joseph son of Jacob (his father). No, the angel calls him Joseph son of David. He’s referring to King David. In the opening verses of the book of Matthew, we are given Joseph’s ancestry. And it documents the fact that Joseph, an unassuming carpenter living in the downtrodden town of Nazareth, is actually from the kingly line of David. He quite literally has a legal claim to the throne of David! Yet here he is, very poor and far from kingly wealth and lifestyle. What he does have, though, is a love and respect for God, just like his ancestor, King David.
Suddenly, breaking into Joseph’s sorrow over broken vows is an angel telling him that the Root of David, the Messiah, is coming into the world. Although He will not carry any of Joseph’s blood in his body, he will be a descendant of King David just the same. For His mother, Mary, is also a descendant of King David. Joseph is given orders to care for him, shelter him, and protect him as his own son. He will also be given the honor of naming him. He will call him Jesus, Savior. Joseph is one of the first people to hear what Jesus’ mission is: to save His people from their sins. Joseph is to guard this Messiah on his mission of salvation.
Joseph immediately responds to God’s directions with full obedience. We will see Joseph do this over and over again throughout his life. When God speaks, Joseph obeys fully and immediately every time!
Joseph marries his bride, Mary, and from then on they work together as a team to carry out God’s plan. It will not be an easy task. Though Joseph is from an ancient, kingly line, he lives in an occupied land under an unfriendly authority. He is soon reminded of this when a decree forces him to register for taxes in a town far away at a time when Mary is nearing delivery.
After their long journey and Jesus’ birth, God will again direct Joseph through a dream. Joseph’s quick response keeps Jesus and Mary safe from the murderous King Herod.(Matthew 1:13-15,19-23) Joseph is even willing to leave his homeland to sojourn in Egypt for a time while keeping Jesus safe.
Years later, when they are safe to return to Nazareth, Joseph and Mary settle down to what appears to be a quieter life. Joseph, ever faithful, provides for his growing family by doing the work of a carpenter. As any good father should, he teaches his son a trade. And he and Mary are blessed with many sons and daughters. (Matthew 13:54-57)
The last glimpse we get of Joseph in the Bible is when Jesus is twelve years old. The family is in Jerusalem celebrating the Passover with friends and family. Joseph is careful to bring up his children in the faith, and yearly they travel to the Temple for the Passover. Though Joseph may have thought that the early years of danger were long in the past, he suddenly finds himself at the end of the feasts days anxiously searching all over Jerusalem for Jesus, whom he and Mary cannot find. When they eventually find him in the Temple with the teachers of the law, it is not Joseph’s words, but Mary’s that are recorded. Mary’s exasperation is felt in her words, “Son, why have you treated us this way? Behold, your father and I were anxiously looking for you.” (Luke 2:48 WEB)
Jesus’ response does not make sense to them at the time. He responds to Mary, “Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49 WEB)
And here the story has come full circle. Though Joseph loves, protects, and provides for Jesus as his very own son, he is still not his real father after all. He is the gentle, faithful guardian Jesus’ heavenly Father has charged with his care. They return home to Nazareth, and quietly Joseph recedes from our view in scripture, leaving behind the example of a brave servant of God, humble and kind in quiet strength.
This Christmas season, may we remember Joseph and follow his humble example of faithful service and obedience.
“The Carol of Joseph,” by For King and Country
Scripture verses from the World English Bible (WEB), Public Domain.