Day 2: Faithful

Joseph - Faithful

By Giles Emery

When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus. (Matthew 1:24-26 (NLT))

This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 1:18 (NLT))

Could you imagine what Joseph must have been thinking, feeling, questioning, and fearing when he found out that Mary was pregnant? Joseph loved Mary, he was engaged to her, he had imagined a life with her. A life raising and supporting a family, honoring God as a devout Jew, and living a simple life as a carpenter in Nazareth.

The Jewish world was an honor-shame culture, and to fully empathize with Joseph, we must understand the predicament Mary’s pregnancy would have caused in such a culture. Joseph’s whole world was structured around bringing honor and not bringing shame. In the ancient Jewish tradition, women brought honor to the family and the village when they bore children to their husbands; they certainly brought shame when they became pregnant outside of marriage. Men brought honor by following the law, providing for their families, by being fathers to sons, and by not bringing shame upon others. It was how Joseph’s and Mary’s world functioned; it was how life was lived out in community; it was how the Jewish law was structured. Including the laws about adultery: “If a man commits adultery with his neighbor’s wife, both the man and the woman who have committed adultery must be put to death.” (Leviticus 20:10)

What was Joseph to do? How would he respond? Because Joseph desired to not bring shame upon Mary, and certainly not to have her stoned, he was determined to do the honorable thing and divorce her quietly, showing his compassion and care for Mary even in his confusion and hurt.

However, God had other plans for Joseph. Even though Joseph was willing to do the honorable thing, God called him to do the faithful thing.

In a pivotal moment, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, delivering a message that redirected his course and the plan for his life. The angel revealed the divine origins of Mary's pregnancy, assuring Joseph of God's plan unfolding before him. With immense faith, Joseph willingly accepted his role in the divine story, surrendering his doubts and fears to God's wisdom and providence. Joseph trusted God, had faith, and walked in obedience. He embraced the divine calling to be the earthly father of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

"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. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." (Matthew 1:20-21 (NLT))

Joseph's faithfulness didn't stop there. He took Mary as his wife and protected her and Jesus, fleeing to Egypt to escape Herod's threat upon receiving another message from an angel (Matthew 2:13-15). He faithfully fulfilled his role as the protector of the infant Jesus, ensuring the safety and well-being of the Messiah, embodying selfless devotion and love.

Joseph's life reflects the beauty of trusting in God's plans, even when they don't align with our expectations. His story challenges us to embrace faithfulness in our own lives, especially in times of uncertainty or when faced with circumstances beyond our understanding. Faith will often transcend our rationality, our emotions, our stress, and our fear. Faith is obedience based on the promises of God.

As we reflect on the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, may Joseph's unwavering faith inspire us to embrace God's will with courage, humility, and unwavering trust, knowing that He is faithful to fulfill His promises in our lives.

What aspects of Joseph's unwavering faith challenge or inspire you to confront your own uncertainties and trust in God's plan for your life, especially during times of doubt, stress, or when faced with circumstances beyond your understanding?