THE STORY OF JOSEPH – Matthew 1:18–25 – 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. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 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. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel”
(which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.
We Western readers are drawn to biblical stories that reinforce our cultural myth of success: Work hard, be clever, and with a little bit of luck, you’ll win in the end!
If we’re looking at the whole narrative of the Bible, that pattern doesn’t always hold water. But it completely bursts to pieces when we consider Joseph. Unlike many of the biblical heroes before him, his story doesn’t end with vindication or victory.
Joseph’s story, captured here in the Gospel of Matthew, flips the camera away from Mary (where Luke had it) and points it to the engaged husband. It’s the same moment of uncertainty and fear we saw in Mary, but from unsuspecting Joe’s perspective.
Joseph responded to Mary’s pregnancy graciously. He assumed—as any of us would have—that Mary had started an affair with another man. Rather than publicly shaming her for this (which was common), he attempted to undo their engagement discreetly.
Joseph wasn’t seeing the situation like God was seeing it, so God sent an angel to clarify. But the angel didn’t rebuke Joseph for his plans. He did, however, give Joseph a little more perspective: She wasn’t cheating, Joseph. That’s God’s baby. In fact, it’s God himself. To his credit, Joseph responded much like Mary: He believed God for the miraculous.
Chances are, though, most people around Joseph still assumed that Mary had cheated on him. Joseph likely endured these rumors for the rest of his life. His neighbors would have thought him a deceived fool. Plus, judging by Joseph’s absence from the later Gospel narratives, it seems that Joseph died before Jesus began his public ministry
Joseph experienced all of the difficulty with none of the glory.
And yet, Joseph’s story is a success, a reminder that even if everyone thinks you’re a fool, when you have God’s approval, you’ve got enough.
In fact, Joseph had more than God’s approval. For as many years as he lived as a father, Joseph had God’s unique presence right there under his roof—“Emmanuel,” God with us.
Pray—and Sing!
Silent night, holy night! All is calm, all is bright. Round yon virgin, mother and Child. Holy infant so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace.
Silent night, holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight. Glories stream from heaven afar; Heavenly hosts sing “Alleluia!” Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born!
Silent night, holy night! Son of God, love’s pure light. Radiant beams from Thy holy face With the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord at Thy birth, Jesus, Lord at Thy birth!