Good News For Joseph Series

Alba 12-8-2024

GOOD NEWS FOR JOSEPH

Matthews 1:18-25

A young child had a wonderful Christmas morning. She got all the presents she wanted, her cousins were there to share the holiday, and there was special food throughout the day. As her parents tucked her into bed that evening, she smiled and said, “I sure hope Mary and Joseph have another baby next year.” She missed the point of Jesus birth. Even adults can miss it as well.

In fact, even at the time that it happened there was a man who didn't understand it either. At least not at first. His name is Joseph. He like Mary is an integral part of the Christmas story. He does not get much attention in scripture. As a matter of fact he is only mentioned one time after the birth narratives of Matthew and Luke. And that is when Jesus as a young boy was still at the Temple amazing the leaders for three days, and Mary and Joseph had to come look for Him.

Joseph is a very quiet Biblical character. In fact, no where do we hear Joseph’s voice. As we search the Gospels, we discover that they do not contain even a single word uttered from the mouth of Jesus’ earthly father, (step-father really). But, as people often say, actions speak louder than words! In that way, Joseph is a very significant Bible character. You see, he was given the job of raising Jesus. His actions can teach us a lot about how to do what is right and good.

But what he heard at first about the coming birth of our Lord did not sound good to him. Before this could become good news for Joseph, he would experience dilemma, then a dream and finally he would have to make a decision based on all the facts. The first thing it caused for him was a great...

1. Dilemma

Matthew 1:18 tells us: “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.” Shocking news! We are not told how Joseph found out that Mary was pregnant.

We do know that soon after being told by the angel that she would have this special child, she went to visit her cousin, Elizabeth, who was pregnant with John the Baptist. Mary stayed there at least three months and then returned home. Perhaps she may have told Joseph then about her pregnancy. Or possibly it was simply obvious to everyone just by looking at her. Again, this had to be a shock!

How would you expect Joseph to react? He knew this child was not his. How could Mary, for whom he waited so long do this to him. The bond between them was broken. He was beyond disappointed. To get the full impact of this situation we need to understand the traditions involved in ancient Jewish marriages.

First, the two families would agree to the union and negotiate the betrothal. Next, a public announcement would be made and the couple was "pledged." Though the couple was not officially married, their relationship could be broken only through death or divorce. Sexual relations were not yet permitted.

This second step lasted for up to a year. During that time, the couple would live separately, with their parents. This waiting period gave time to demonstrate the bride’s purity. If she would be found to be pregnant during that time, the marriage could be annulled.

According to Jewish civil law, Joseph had the right to divorce her. The law also explained that the penalty for unchastity was death by stoning (Deuteronomy 22:23-24)

So, Mary is pregnant. Joseph had trouble accepting this news as good. Mary’s story seems unbelievable! His world is turned upside down. Everything is messed up! Their plans are ruined. Life is more than disappointing. It is a time of defeat and failure. It is an unwelcome nightmare into his life.

So what should he do? He has a dilemma. Joseph knew that the child was not his own. Mary’s apparent unfaithfulness carried a severe social stigma. He could accuse her of being unfaithful and do what the law allows, or he could just quietly divorce her without a public procedure, and try to put it behind him.

But, going ahead with the marriage seems out of the question. The scent of scandal would always leave people wondering about what really happened. Joseph must have been filled with consternation and dismay. It was a dilemma.

He had to make a choice. Verse 19 says, “Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.” He would divorce Mary before they even had an opportunity to be together. There is no doubt that Joseph could have handled this differently. Heartbroken and betrayed, he could have embarrassed her. He could have disgraced her socially. He could have even had her executed. Instead he chose to go the quiet route.