Joseph
Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25 (ESV)
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel”
(which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.
Devotion:
What picture comes to mind when you think of a saint? A great communicator who can move crowds to holiness. Or someone who does great acts of service for the poor and downtrodden in society. Whatever picture we form in our minds eye it probably consists of someone who has been or is accomplishing wonderful things for the Lord. That is simply not what God is looking for in a saint.
Take Joseph, the future husband of Mary, the Bible records not one word this man uttered while he was on this earth. However, his faithfulness, and obedience to God’s commands is beyond dispute. We can imagine Joseph’s shock and disappointment when he learns that Mary is pregnant. Yet he does not want to make a great deal out of the matter. He intends to divorce her quietly. (A betrothal in ancient Israel was much more binding than an engagement today and could only be ended by a divorce.)
God, however, knows Joseph’s character and He sends an angel to reassure Joseph that he should take Mary as his wife. Joseph was willing to endure any shame that might come his way because of this marriage, He takes Mary to be his wife. This scene of angelic visits to Joseph and his obedience continues in the flight to Egypt to avoid Herod’s jealous rage. And again, in the families return to Israel after Herod’s death.
We never hear a word that Joseph said. Joseph let his actions speak for themselves. We live in an age of multiplying words. Many people write beautiful words. Do their actions match their speech? I know at times I fall short, but thanks be to God that He sent His Son to forgive my sin. The best way any of us can prove our relationship to God is by our actions. St. Francis is reported to have said, “Preach the gospel at all times, if necessary, use words.”
Therefore, let us act out the gospel in the way we love God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength and our neighbor as ourselves. Speak or write if you must but get the actions right and the rest will follow at the right time. Dear Lord, give us strength of character that we may be people known for our godly actions. Amen
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