Not much is known about Joseph, the husband of Mary, the mother of Jesus. In fact, this is the best part to volunteer for in the Christmas play because he had no lines! We are told who his father was, but nothing about his upbringing. We are told where he lived, but not how he lived. In fact, we are only told a little in passing about this man that God chose to raise His Son; however, what we are told does give us a little insight into his character and a huge challenge to ask ourselves how we do in the areas of his character which we are told.
First, Luke tells us that Joseph was a righteous man. This is an important term that tells us a lot about Joseph. It means that he chose to do what was right and what was wise in every situation with which he was faced. This was not just something he did within himself, but something for which he was recognized by others in the community. He was a man that stood out as an example to others about what to do and how to do it.
Next, we are told that he was a compassionate man. He loved Mary and did not want to see her stoned to death or put to shame over having discovered her to be pregnant with what he assumed to be another man’s child. Although he had every right to have her killed or to have her remain in her father’s household as a servant that forever lived in disgrace, he chose to put her away quietly to save her that humiliation. This meant that he was compassionate to the point of even being willing to be hurt himself for her to be spared.
Third, we are told that Joseph, upon hearing that the child growing within Mary’s womb was of the Holy Spirit, chose to obey God and marry her. Unlike our day, being pregnant without being married was frowned upon then. The only thing worse that being in that situation was to be a man seen to have such a weak will that you were willing to marry a woman that had taken advantage of you and been with another man. Joseph, although righteous and compassionate, chose to obey and trust God. He loved God more than he loved his own reputation.
Fourth, we are told that Joseph did not consummate his marriage to Mary until after the child’s birth. This is important! While I do not want to be too graphic, it is important to note that Jewish weddings were not considered complete until the consummation of the marriage. On top of that is the idea that every person that has ever married has understood this consummation of the marriage to be both part of the terror and the wonder of getting married in the first place. Even in our day of knowing multiple partners prior to marriage, there is still a wonder and mystery surrounding this idea of becoming one. Joseph was a man that loved God more than he loved his own rights. Wow!
Lastly, Joseph was a man that loved God more than he loved his own legacy. He named the child, Jesus, just as he had been told to do, even though there were no other Jesus’ in his lineage. Also, unlike our day, when it seems we name people with whatever letters we received from Scrabble ®, in Jesus’ day, people were usually named either for someone in their family, for circumstances surrounding their birth or by the parents’ wishes for the child. Joseph, not caring for his own legacy, names Jesus by the name given by God.
When we consider Joseph, we are encouraged to investigate our own lives and ask the following questions:
Do we love God more than our own reputations?
Do we love God more than our own rights?
Do we love God more than our own legacies?
Do we love God so much that we are willing to make the hard choices to be considered righteous?
Have we received Christ’s righteousness in exchange for our own unrighteousness?
Just some questions to focus us this Christmas.