Lessons from Joseph on Jesus' birth

Matthew 1:18-20 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just [man], and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

Joseph is an unsung hero in the story of Jesus but my focus today is on him. He was betrothed to Mary who was found to be pregnant of the saviour of the world. Since at the time when one was betrothed (engaged) to a woman, if there was any incidence of one not being faithful to their commitment  by having sexual relations with someone else would mean death by stoning. On the outside it seemed as if Mary was unfaithful and needed to be stoned.  

But Joseph did not do that. He was actually not to go public about the sin but end the relationship privately. Since he knew the truth through the angel, he decided to side with Mary. The mockery he would get from his peers for fathering a Son who was not his and yet he came mysteriously was a brave act.

The same is true to us today. We get many questions about the Jesus we believed which have mysterious answers but we need to stay true to our convictions and do not abandon the faith like it was to Joseph. We need to be brace ourselves that the faith we acquired will not be without a cost. It will cost us our reputation. This business of saying, "I accept the Lord on my terms is not true." You need to know that persecution will arise because of it but don't despair, you aren't the first. If Joseph overcame, you too will.

May this day strengthen our confidence and bravity in our faith in the saviour who became incarnate (God put on flesh) on our behalf.



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