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 of any songs about Joseph until I did an internet search. We sing about Mary and Jesus, of course, because they take center stage in the story of Jesus’ birth. But Joseph seems to remain in the background, a supporting character, never in the lime light. Yet without his steadiness, protection, and swift action, one wonders how Mary and Jesus’ story would have turned out.
Perhaps we don’t know very much about Joseph because he seems to have been a man of few words. There are actually no recorded words of Joseph in the Bible at all. Even Zacharias, who had been struck dumb when he didn’t believe the angel Gabriel’s message, has more spoken words recorded in Scripture than Joseph. Luke 1:67-79 record Zacharias’ long poem of praise, the release of pent-up words once he could finally speak again! But we never get to read one word spoken by Joseph. What we do know about Joseph we learn from his actions.
Our introduction to Joseph is when he is pondering what to do about the unexpected tragedy that has befallen his wedding plans. When he finds out that his future bride is pregnant, and he knows for sure that he is not the father of the baby, we don’t find him angry or trying to make things hard for her. He is actually trying to protect her from public disgrace by trying to quietly handle 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 his future son James writes about in James 1:26-27, where 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.
And suddenly, breaking into Joseph’s sorrow over broken vows is an angel reminding him that he has royal blood flowing through his veins and he is being called into service. The kingly line of Israel, which seems dormant and all but dead, is being awakened and coming to life again. For the King of Kings, 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 Jesus, Savior. And 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 to save.
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 are working 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.
Over and over, God directs Joseph through angelic messages in dreams. Joseph’s quick responses keep Jesus and Mary safe from the murderous intents of King Herod and his son Archelaus. (Matthew 1:13-15,19-23) He 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 and provides for and protects Jesus as his very own son, he is still not his real father after all. He is simply the guardian Jesus’ heavenly Father has charged with his care. Jesus, on the cusp of adulthood, continues to obey Joseph and Mary. And they continue to care for him. And quietly Joseph recedes from our view in scripture, leaving behind the example of a brave and faithful servant of God, humble and kind in quiet strength. Ever obedient. Ever true. Finishing his course until his King calls him home.
This Christmas season, may we remember Joseph and follow his example of faithful service and obedience.
Image of Joseph by www.LumoProject.com
All scripture from the World English Bible, Public Domain.
What a beautiful tribute to Joseph! I guess you could call him the unsung hero of the Christmas story. He reminds me of Boaz, the Kinsman Redeemer, who married Ruth and raised her first born as his own even though he would not bear his name. Totally humble, self sacrificing, and obedient to the Lord. What a wonderful example he is to us all.
So true! I am amazed at how little we know about this steady, faithful man of God. We don’t pay enough attention to him. But perhaps that is how he would have liked it. All the attention goes to Jesus.