The Silence of Mercy
"18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about[a]: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet[b] did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
20 But 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. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,[c] because he will save his people from their sins.”
22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”[d](which means “God with us”).
24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus." Matthew 1:18-25
Joseph is there from the beginning.
Joseph is a silent support, a silent protector.
No quote from Joseph in the Bible.
It was no accident that Joseph was Jesus's stepdad.
#1 Joseph was a faithful man. The "and yet" in verse 19 was pretty important. No one would have been surprised if Mary had been stoned.
#2 He doesn't want Mary to suffer.
He loved Mary.
It never says Mary told him. Possibly he found out through town gossip.
Joseph was very likely ashamed and embarrassed. Yet, Joseph dealt with Mary kindly. This is a man with a gentle heart.
#3 Joseph has mercy on Mary. It's not his fault (it isn't hers either, but that's a different story).
"17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving,considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere." James 3:17
James was another son of Joseph's. This verse is a great description of Joseph.
His dreams were ripped away but he still had mercy. He willingly let go of his dreams for God's plan.
In verse 20 it says that Joseph considered this. This could mean pondered or fumed over or angered over.
Joseph was hurt. He was broken-hearted.
Since the angel said not to be afraid and go ahead and marry Mary it meant Joseph was afraid to marry her. The townfolk would think negatively of him. He wouldn't be seen as an honorable man even though he was.
Some think he took her along with him to Bethlehem to protect her. He couldn't leave her alone at home. What would the people do to her?
I don't think he ever looked for perfect again. Instead he looked for God.
As he protected Mary he protected Jesus, God's son.
He leaves everything behind. He threw all his dreams away.
The dream from God was enough for himt o throw away all his own personal dreams.
He redeems Mary like Jesus redeems all mankind.
Joseph was gentle and peaceful -- just like Jesus.
Joseph didn't hesitate once God speaks to him. His understanding was followed by service.
God's the needle. I'm the thread.
He dove off the deep end cause God said so.
"18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about[a]: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet[b] did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
20 But 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. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,[c] because he will save his people from their sins.”
22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”[d](which means “God with us”).
24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus." Matthew 1:18-25
Joseph is there from the beginning.
Joseph is a silent support, a silent protector.
No quote from Joseph in the Bible.
It was no accident that Joseph was Jesus's stepdad.
#1 Joseph was a faithful man. The "and yet" in verse 19 was pretty important. No one would have been surprised if Mary had been stoned.
#2 He doesn't want Mary to suffer.
He loved Mary.
It never says Mary told him. Possibly he found out through town gossip.
Joseph was very likely ashamed and embarrassed. Yet, Joseph dealt with Mary kindly. This is a man with a gentle heart.
#3 Joseph has mercy on Mary. It's not his fault (it isn't hers either, but that's a different story).
"17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving,considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere." James 3:17
James was another son of Joseph's. This verse is a great description of Joseph.
His dreams were ripped away but he still had mercy. He willingly let go of his dreams for God's plan.
In verse 20 it says that Joseph considered this. This could mean pondered or fumed over or angered over.
Joseph was hurt. He was broken-hearted.
Since the angel said not to be afraid and go ahead and marry Mary it meant Joseph was afraid to marry her. The townfolk would think negatively of him. He wouldn't be seen as an honorable man even though he was.
Some think he took her along with him to Bethlehem to protect her. He couldn't leave her alone at home. What would the people do to her?
I don't think he ever looked for perfect again. Instead he looked for God.
As he protected Mary he protected Jesus, God's son.
He leaves everything behind. He threw all his dreams away.
The dream from God was enough for himt o throw away all his own personal dreams.
He redeems Mary like Jesus redeems all mankind.
Joseph was gentle and peaceful -- just like Jesus.
Joseph didn't hesitate once God speaks to him. His understanding was followed by service.
God's the needle. I'm the thread.
He dove off the deep end cause God said so.
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