Joseph's Faithfulness

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. 19And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20But 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. 21She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22All 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). 24When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus" (Matthew 1:18-25)

Matthew tells us a great deal about Joseph in his brief account of the birth of Christ. He's a man who is just and merciful. His engaged wife becomes pregnant, and rather than clear his own name by using the full force of Jewish law, he seeks to end their engagement by "divorcing her quietly."

Not only is Joseph a man of mercy, he is also obedient. He has a dream and without even as much as a question, he rises and does exactly as instructed. We will see Joseph throughout the account of the infant Jesus to young Jesus follow God's instructions without question or fail as he is given them. Such faithfulness!

I pray for a measure of Joseph's faithfulness in my own life, just a portion. His love and obedience to God's Will are instructive for us.

Pray with me: Merciful God, Help me to be obedient to your will. Help me to respond with faithfulness to your instruction. In Christ's name. Amen