But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 1:20 KJV
During the Christmas season a great deal is said and sung about Mary, but precious little about Joseph. Though Mary received a visit from the angel Gabriel, Joseph had only a dream. While Mary treasured the circumstances of the shepherds and wise men in her heart, Joseph had to pack their bags and guide them safely to Egypt. Later, after they returned to Nazareth, Joseph may have wondered how that dream from God would be fulfilled, when all he could do was continue his daily work as a carpenter. Years passed, James and Jude were born to Joseph and Mary as well as at least two daughters, and life must have seemed anything but miraculous. No fulfillment of God’s promise, no miracles, or change of any kind appeared during Joseph’s lifetime and yet he remained faithful. He woke up every morning, said his prayers, went to work, paid the bills, and quietly finished his days in the tiny village of Nazareth.
Mary saw the miracles, but Joseph only saw the character of Jesus. Mary met the disciples, and her two sons later became church leaders, but Joseph only went to synagogue and worshipped with people who never believed that Jesus was from God. Joseph waited an entire lifetime, believing in God’s promises, and then closed his eyes, without seeing them. I wonder what things Joseph hoped for, what plans he deferred or what public opposition he faced as he simply obeyed God’s commands to take Mary as his wife and then faithfully cared for her all his life. Joseph waited on a promise, that was not fulfilled in his lifetime, trusted in a plan that only others would experience and believed in God’s goodness without wavering to the end. Joseph did not know what rewards awaited Him in heaven but being one small part of God’s big plan was enough for him. Today, our society pushes us to work for important positions, shiny possessions, and exciting pleasures, but God simply asks us to trust Him as Joseph did. We also may never see beyond the borders of our village, our small town, or our city neighborhood, but that was enough for Joseph, that was enough for God: so, why shouldn’t it be enough for you and me?
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Such wise insights and a fitting challenge for us, Pastor Pete. Joseph does indeed provide for us an example of steady faith and perseverance through the ordinary days of life. And with such God is pleased.
I had never thought of how little Joseph experienced of God’s promises till, I stopped to reread the story from the Bible. What an encouragement that is to me!
So true, Pete, Joseph is often overlooked. Yet, he was such a great example of selfless love and simple faithfulness. Mary would have had a really hard time without him!
God chose that we know little about Joseph. We are told he wae a righteous man, and that God spoke to him 3 times in dreams. He was told to take Mary as wife ( Matthew 1) Then in chapter 2 he is warned to flee to Egypt and later to return when Herod was dead. Each of his obediences helped to fulfill a prophecy, though he could not possibly have understood at the time.
You have so beautifully expressed thoughts I have had about the fact that God honors our faithfulness. He doesn’t necessarily call us to be great according to the world’s standards but to simply be faithful to Him where He has put us. Thank you for these words today, Pete.
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Thanks for joining the conversation. Yes, it is such an encouragement knowing we are good enough only because of Jesus.