Joseph: An Example Of Salvation Series

The Christian singer Michael Card wrote a piece entitled Joseph’s Song. To begin this morning, I am going to read a few lines from this song. Listen closely, and from what you know about Joseph from the Bible, think about whether these words could have come from Joseph’s own heart:

Lord I know He’s not my own.

Not of my flesh, not of my bone.

Still Father, let this baby be,

The Son of my love.

Father, show me where I fit into this plan of Yours.

How can a man be father to the Son of God?

Lord, for all my life I’ve been a simple carpenter.

How can I raise a King?

How can I raise a King?(1)

Matthew 1:19 says that Joseph was a “just” man. He was concerned about living a life of holiness before God. It is true that the lyrics of the song I just read are fictitious and not recorded in the Bible; however, they express Joseph’s concern for God’s will in his life, and I think Joseph was focused on pleasing the Lord.

The reason why Michael Card wrote this song is that there is not much said concerning how Joseph felt about the birth of Jesus. In the book of Luke, there is a great deal said about Mary’s feelings; but the only thing we see in Luke’s gospel about Joseph is that he marveled when Simeon said that Jesus was the Christ (Luke 2:25-33). In Matthew, all that is mentioned is how Joseph was a “just” man; and we also read about his fear of Mary being accused of adultery.

In the account that we will view morning, we will see something significant to understanding a very crucial character trait of Joseph. Joseph, serving as Jesus’ earthly father figure, was an exemplary father. He was not only an excellent role model for his son, but within him is a certain character trait, one which just happens to be Jesus’ strongest trait. So, “What is that trait?” you may ask. Well, let’s find out!

Mary Was Found with Child (vv. 18-19)

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.

Look at verse 18. We are told here that Mary was “betrothed” to Joseph. The concept of betrothal can be somewhat confusing, as it was different than how we do things in our western culture today. First, there was the engagement. The engagement was prearranged by both sets of parents while they were still young, and often without the couple having ever seen each other.(2)

Secondly, there was the betrothal. Betrothal was more formal than our engagement period is today. It was entered into by a ceremony performed by a rabbi,(3) and it was as binding as marriage. Betrothal lasted a full year, and during this time the man and woman did not live together,(4) and abstinence was to be maintained. If a woman became pregnant with child it was viewed as adultery. Under the strictest interpretation of the Old Testament Law, it was punishable by death.(5) Thirdly, there was the marriage, which took place at the end of the betrothal.

We read here that Mary became pregnant during this betrothal period, and that Joseph, “being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly” (v. 19). The Holman Christian Standard Bible translates this verse as “not wanting to disgrace her publicly, decided to divorce her secretly.” You see, during the betrothal period, the man and woman were viewed as husband and wife, and the only way the betrothal could have been broken was through a divorce.(6) If Mary had been divorced for such a scandal, a public example would have been made of her.

Therefore, Jospeh, being a just man, did not want this happen. The word “just” (dikaios) can mean “just” or “righteous.” In his understanding of righteousness, Jospeh had compassion on her.(7) If it had been any other man who had been betrothed to a woman, and found her with child, there is a high probability that he would have been enraged, sought revenge, and had her made a public example and then stoned to death. But Joseph refused to do this to Mary; and right here, he showed how much he loved her. He had compassion, and decided to divorce her secretly.

Conceived By the Holy Spirit (v. 20)

20 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.”