A Humble Man for a Heavenly Mission
Matthew 1:18-25
Introduction:
When God moved in time to send His Son Jesus into the world, God chose the perfect vessel when He chose the virgin named Mary. Of course, since the birth of Jesus was to be a virgin birth, there would be no need for a human male to father the child. However, because Jesus was coming into this world as a helpless infant, and since God was sending His Son into this world to live in poverty and not splendor, there would be a great need for someone to provide for the needs of this child. Therefore, God chose the man Joseph to be the earthly caretaker of His heavenly Son.
I would like for us to take a little time this morning to look into this passage. I want to point out some details of Joseph’s life that mark him as a man God could use in a heavenly mission.
I. THE TRAGEDY THAT MARRED HIS LIFE v. 18-19
(Joseph was a man hand-picked and personally prepared by God for a special mission, his life was not without its trials and tragedies. A quick look at what Joseph faced and how he reacted can help us as we seek to become all the Lord would have us to be.)
A. The Tragedy Of Shocking Discoveries – v. 18
As you know, this man Joseph is betrothed to a young woman named Mary. Both parties were expected to keep themselves pure for the day they physically came together as husband and wife. It was during this period of time that Joseph discovers that Mary is pregnant. No doubt, she shared with him her side of the story as the phrase “she was found with the child of the Holy Ghost.” But, who had ever heard of such a thing? Joseph knows where babies come from and to him, this is a shocking discovery!
B. The Tragedy Of Shattered Dreams – v. 18-19
No doubt like most men, Joseph was looking forward to the day when he and Mary came together to share their lives. He was probably preparing the home where they would live. Then, like a cruel slap in the face, came the news that shattered all his hopes and his dreams. Mary is pregnant and Joseph is not the father. It was a time of shattered dreams.
C. The Tragedy Of Sorrowful Decisions – v. 19
Now, Joseph is faced with a dilemma. The Bible says that he was a “just” man. This means that he was “righteous and one who kept the divine laws.” He knows what the Law says. It is quite clear! When a woman is found guilty of adultery, she is to be stoned to death, Deut. 22:20-22! But, Joseph determines that he does not want to embarrass Mary publicly; he does not want to see her stoned to death either. No doubt the things Joseph pondered broke his heart. It was a time for sorrowful decisions!
II. THE TASK THAT MARKED HIS LIFE v. 20-23
(In the middle of this great tragedy in the life of Joseph, God placed a call upon him. God assigned Joseph a task that many would have balked at; but it was a task that Joseph embraced and completed by faith. A great tragedy may have marred his life, but this task marked his life.)
A. The Task Involved Divine Revelations – v. 20
Joseph is told that the child Mary carries is no ordinary baby. He finds out that Mary’s child is the Son of God.
B. The Task Involved Definite Requirements – v. 20-21
Joseph is instructed that he is not to divorce Mary and he is not to have her stoned; but he is to take to himself as his wife, and he is to embrace her child as if He was his own Son. Joseph is told to name the Child, thus he is given the responsibility of caring for and of providing for the Baby Jesus. This man is handed a difficult task.
C. The Task Involved Delightful Realizations – v. 21-23
After hearing what is required in his task, Joseph learns the amazing truth. The baby Mary carries is to be fulfillment of the greatest promise God ever gave to man.
You see, God has a plan for your life. The task He has for you to fulfill may not be easy. But, along the way, there will be some times when Heaven will brush up close to the earth, and God will give us a little glimpse of that which He is doing in our lives. It is those moments that make the tasks He assigns bearable.)
III. THE TESTIMONY THAT MEASURED HIS LIFE v. 24-25
(The real test of maturity is not what a person faces in life, nor is it revealed in what they are called on to do. The real evidence of the depth of a person’s character is seen in what they do with what they are handed.)
A. A Testimony Of Unconditional Compliance – v. 24
Many men would have walked away from the Lord and from Mary at that moment. But, not Joseph! As soon as he awoke, he rose and carried out the command of the Lord. In spite of his question, his fears and his concerns, Joseph sets out by faith to obey the Lord. What a testimony!
B. A Testimony Of Unwavering Commitment – v. 25
Even when he took Mary into his home, he refrained himself from physical contact with her. He obeyed the Lord and preserved her virginity until after Jesus had been born. Here is a man willing to bear the shame and reproach leveled at him from the community, and he is also willing to place his own desires, needs and rights on the back burner. He wants nothing more than to do the perfect will of God. Again, I say: What a testimony!
C. A Testimony Of Unfailing Completion – v. 25
When the child was born, Joseph took the next step of faith and named the child Jesus, just as he had been commanded by the angel Gabriel. As far as we know, Joseph never faltered as he perfectly carried out the commands of God for his life. In spite of the fact that he has been called upon to believe the impossible and to do the incredible, he never wavered. He did what the Lord told him to do! What a testimony!
As we move through life, we have already discovered that the Lord has a plan to use us for His glory. We have also learned that this plan may be very difficult for us to carry out. There may be some rough places along the way. There may be some significant bumps in our paths. But, genuine faith in God never seeks the easier road. Faith is willing to go where God leads it, regardless of the cost and regardless of the consequences.
Conclusion:
Are you convinced that God used Joseph in the life of Jesus in a powerful fashion? No doubt Joseph was very involved in the life and training of Jesus as a young man. God took a poor, humble carpenter and used him to carry out an important heavenly mission.
Did you know that he is still looking for ordinary people He can use to carry out His will in the world today? I am certain that He will never ask you to do what He asked Mary and Joseph to do. But, I am certain that He has plenty of difficult assignments that need to be fulfilled. He is looking for people who will follow him in spite of the tragedies in life. He is looking for people who will take off the tasks He assigns them and go for God. He is looking for people who possess the right kind of testimony, who will go with Him until their assignment is completed.
Are you that kind of person? If so, why not get before Him and say, “Here am I, send me!” Or, maybe you are one of those people who has watched as your dreams have become nightmares; you feel overwhelmed by the task you have been assigned. Why don’t you get before Him and lean on Him for the grace you need to complete your mission. I don’t know your heart or your need, but I know the God Who will help you with both.
