Someone Like Joseph

It was years before I noticed this fact: One of the most important people in the Christmas story never says a word. Not one. Or at least not any that are recorded in Scriptures. Can you guess who it is?

Joseph.

We see him obeying and going, and obeying and going again and yet again. But we don’t hear his words. He is a true man of action, I suppose.

Hello, Joseph

We first meet Joseph in a few lines in the first chapter of the Book of Matthew. But in those just those few lines, we learn so much about who he was, about the man God knew him to be. . . .

Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. (Matthew 1:19 niv)

Joseph is faithful to God. And even though he has just discovered that the woman he is pledged to marry is pregnant with a child he knows is not his own, he doesn’t want to be vengeful or cruel to Mary. And he doesn’t want anyone else to be vengeful or cruel to her either.

But Then . . .

After he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:20–21 niv)

In other words, I know you’re confused and you feel betrayed, but go ahead and marry Mary anyway.

Here’s the part I love: Without question or complaint or delay, “when Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife” (Matthew 1:24 niv).

But Wait, There’s More!

That’s not the end of Joseph’s quiet heroics. When Herod sought to kill Jesus just a few short years later, an angel came to tell Joseph to pack up and head to Egypt. So, he did. Without question or complaint or delay. In the middle of the night.

So, when the angel came and told him to pack it all up again and head back home to Israel, You can probably guess what Joseph did. He packed up Mary and Jesus and all their things and headed back home to Israel. Without question or complaint or delay.

No, we don’t have Joseph’s words recorded in the Scriptures, but I can hear the echoes of them in his actions.

Okay, God.

I’m on it. Leaving now, God.

Sure thing, God.

Someone Like Joseph

I believe God knew Mary would need a someone like Joseph in her life. And I believe God wanted Jesus to have someone like Joseph in His life too.

Someone with a quiet faith. Someone who didn’t need to be the center of attention or the star of the show. Someone who listened. Someone who considered and thought things through. Someone who sought to do what was right. Someone who loved God and followed Him without question or complaint or delay. Someone who’s actions said again and again . . .

Okay, God.

I’m on it.

Sure thing, God.

Being Like Joseph

The thing is, being someone like Joseph, someone who loves and follows God without question or complaint or delay isn’t complicated. It’s not like rocket science, advanced calculus, or even reprogramming the clock on the microwave.

In fact, it’s very simple. Love God. Love others. Love your enemies. Consider others better than yourselves. Forgive one another. Trust God with all your heart. Ummm . . .

Like, I said, it’s simple. Not always easy, but simple. Fortunately, we serve a God who’s willing to help us all along the way. In fact, God is so willing to help us that He sent His own Son to live among us and show us the way, to be Immanuel, to be God with us.