Adam and Eve. Romeo and Juliet. Archie and Edith Bunker. Those are just some of the famous couples throughout history. Some are more famous or infamous than others. What makes these people so memorable is that we can relate to them and the experiences in their lives. We understand the joy and sadness of each; we can laugh and cry with them.
There’s one couple that wasn’t added to the list, however. That’s Mary and Joseph. When you think about it, we have much in common with this couple. We relate to their lives every year. Each year we go to Bethlehem and celebrate Christmas with this humble family. Last evening, we looked at Christmas through Mary’s eyes. Today, we take a brief look at this miraculous event from Joseph’s perspective. So, this morning, I invite you to see CHRISTMAS: THROUGH JOSEPH’S EYES. We learn much about Joseph and about God’s grace and faithfulness. So, today we look at Joseph 1) As the Husband of Mary and 2) As a Child of God.
1) As the Husband of Mary
Matthew begins very simply. He states: “This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.” The two were pledged to each other. Now, that was probably similar to what we would call an engagement. They had most likely spoken vows to get married in front of some witnesses, and so they were regarded as husband and wife. But they didn’t live together yet. This was a time for building a relationship, getting to know one another. This was a time to plan and dream. According to the custom of the day, the actual wedding celebration would take place several months later, then they would begin their lives together as one flesh.
Joseph planned to be a good husband. Most likely, he worked hard, saving what he could, preparing for his new life with Mary. All of a sudden, Mary drops a bomb on Joseph. Again, notice how matter-of-factly Matthew describes this uncomfortable situation: but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. The phrase “before they came together” is a reference to any sexual relationship. There wasn’t any at this time. Joseph didn’t take advantage of his fiancé, and, yet, Mary was pregnant. Talk about shock and disappointment! One could just imagine the conversation between Mary and Joseph. Maybe Mary said, “Joseph, dear, I have something I need to tell you. It’s really wonderful news … really. Uh, I’m, uh, going to have a baby. Now, I know what you’re thinking, but that’s not the case. This isn’t any ordinary baby. This is the Messiah whom we’ve been waiting for! Honest! An angel told me! Isn’t that wonderful? Aren’t you happy?”
But Joseph wasn’t happy. He must have felt betrayed. How could he believe such a bogus story! There could only be one conclusion: Mary must have been unfaithful. Joseph felt betrayed. He was a jilted lover. He felt that the love of his life had been completely unfaithful to him. When you think about it, this is nothing new. People are unfaithful to one another all of the time. In fact, that’s the very subject of a lot pop songs” You’ve done me wrong, and you’re no good.”
Joseph’s life-story wouldn’t make a very good “jilted lover” song, though. Yes, Joseph was hurt. Yes, he was confused. But he still loved Mary. He didn’t want to hurt her. He didn’t want to get even. In fact, we’re told that he was a “righteous man.” Joseph was righteous in God’s sight because he had humble faith in the Lord. He believed in God’s promise of a Savior to come, and so he was concerned about the kind of life he lived. He wanted his faith and actions to be in line with one another. As a believer in the Messiah, Joseph struggled. The ceremonial law said that Joseph could take Mary to the city gate and have her stoned to death. Then his reputation would be restored. But Joseph didn’t want to do that. He didn’t want to disgrace or hurt Mary any further. And so, he decided to quietly divorce her so that the two of them could start their lives over.
But the Lord intervened. Matthew tells us, “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. 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.’” Now, this was most likely the angel Gabriel, the same one who appeared to Mary. Do you notice how gently God deals with Joseph’s weakness? He sends an angel with the very same message he gave to Mary. Mary was telling the truth! She didn’t cheat on Joseph. What happened to her was the fulfillment of God’s promise!
2) As a Child of God
God also gave Joseph an enormous privilege. He was given the job of naming the child. Joseph was going to be the legal father, and he was to name the child Jesus. Now, Jesus was a common name among the Jews. It’s the same as the Old Testament name Joshua, which means “God saves.” Whenever this name was given to a child, it was a reminder of God’s promise of a Savior. In Christ’s case, this name identified him as the one and only Savior. What a joy for Joseph to give that name to his child!
We also need to keep in mind just what kind of Savior the people were looking for. Most of the people wanted a Messiah would free them from the Roman government and reestablish a kingdom like that of David and Solomon. But the angel promised a Savior just like the one the prophets of the Old Testament foretold, one who would come to save his people from their sins.
Time and again, God had directed prophets to speak concerning the Messiah. And the result was that these Old Testament prophets foretold virtually every aspect of Jesus’ life in detail. Matthew reminds us of Isaiah who prophesied concerning the virgin birth. This would happen only once in history so that this special child would be recognized and identified as the Savior. He is Immanuel, which means “God with us.”
The prophets also predicted that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem, that he would have to flee to Egypt, that he would grow up in Nazareth, that he would be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver, that he would suffer and be crucified, that he would be buried in a borrowed tomb, and that he would rise again from the dead. So many prophesies, and every one is amazingly accurate. This child is the Son of God, our Savior, who was born to redeem us and make us children of our heavenly Father. The angel appeared to Joseph to remind him of this truth. We can rejoice that God led him to believe. His doubt was turned to faith, his disappointment to joy. Joseph believed in his Lord. He knew the Savior had come. And that’s what led him to love and trust his wife all the more.
This was vital because it wasn’t always easy for them. Imagine the embarrassment and the gossip they had to endure. Mary and Joseph lived in a little town called Nazareth. We know how rumors and gossip spread in little towns. Imagine the busybodies peeking out the windows as they walked by, “Mary is 7 months pregnant and they’ve only been married 2 or 3 months! Why, you do the math!”
They headed to Bethlehem for the census. The baby is born. Then the Lord sends them to Egypt. You might think, “so much for those gossips in Nazareth.” But no! Where does the Lord tell Joseph to go with Mary and the baby Jesus? He sends them back to Nazareth. And all-the-while Joseph humbly trusts in God. He takes his family back to the gossips and rumormongers. Joseph trusted his Father in heaven. He believed that he was a child of God and that Jesus was the Savior, God himself made flesh.
That knowledge made all the difference because there were other frustrations. First of all, Joseph had no union with his wife until she had the child. That must have been a source of frustration for the couple. Here was this beautiful woman, who was his wife, but there was no sexual relationship between them. Still, Joseph trusted his Lord. He loved his wife and patiently waited for the son to be born.
Consider that birth for a moment. Every couple that has gone through a pregnancy knows that it’s not an easy time. It’s a time of discomfort, trial and testing. Couple that with the fact that God sent them from Nazareth to Bethlehem for the census. This was a one-way trip of 80 miles. And how did they get there? They walked. And when they didn’t walk they rode on a donkey. Imagine Mary 9 months pregnant and being jostled about on a donkey for miles and miles.
To make matters worse they couldn’t find a decent room. The best Joseph could provide was a stable out behind an inn. There wasn’t much time to discuss the matter. Time was of the essence – the child was coming. Finally, the child is born. Joseph wrapped him in come strips of cloth and placed him in a manger. It was the only warm, safe place in the barn. Mary was obviously sore and exhausted. She needed rest. All is quiet for the time.
Suddenly, there are strange noises outside. Who could it be? Robbers? Troublemakers? Joseph opens the door to find shepherds – fellow children of God. They have come to worship the child just as the angels told them. Joseph didn’t chase the visitors away. Instead, he gladly welcomed them, “ Yes, the story is true. The Savior is born. Now, go! Tell others, my friends!” And off the shepherds went. Joseph must have stood in awe. He had just witnessed God’s faithful love to his children. The LORD had sent a child – his Son – to save his sons and daughters.
This morning Matthew recounts Joseph’s story for us, not so that we feel sorry for him. Instead, we have a Scriptural account that bears witness to the love of a man for his wife, and how that love finds it fulfillment and purpose in God’s love. This couple’s story is the greatest love story of all. It’s the story of God’s love for his children. It’s the story of Christmas. Amen.
