Joseph: The Common, Godly Man

Our scripture for today is Matthew 1:18-25.

Have you ever thought of who Joseph, Mary’s husband, was and what type of person he was?  I have many times.  Without Joseph there would not have been any nativity scene or home for Jesus to go to.  Without Joseph, who would take care of Mary and the infant Jesus?  Who would have taught Jesus a trade and how to take care of Mary and the family when he Joseph, was gone?  Joseph is very important and very much involved in Jesus first coming.

Joseph was a blue-collar worker and a businessman.  We see that he owns a carpenter shop and that he not only provides for Mary and his adopted son Jesus, but he also at least provided for four more sons and at least two more daughters of his union with Mary.  He would be considered a common man with no huge goals or amazing thoughts to help change the world.  He was probably at that time in his engagement to the teenager Mary around 30.  Jewish men did not marry until they were that old to provide their new bride a house and a business to support them.

Who was Joseph according to scripture?

1. He was a Just Man. Matt 1:18-19 “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.  Then Joseph her husband, being a just man and not wanting to make her a public example was minded to put her away secretly.
2. He listened to God. Matt 1:20-23 “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. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.
3. He was obedient.  Matt 1:22-23 “Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth his firstborn Son.  And he called his Jesus.”
4. He was flexible.  He took Mary into his home to be his wife even though she was pregnant.  He then had to travel 70 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem with Mary who was nine months pregnant because of the new census that Caesar Augustus had decreed so that they could raise the taxes.  This was walking and riding on the donkey for Mary for at least a week. Camping outside at night must have been hard on both of them.  Then when they get Bethlehem where do they have to stay?  In a stable or a cave and then Mary tells Joseph it is time.  No Mid-Wife, No Mother or Mother-in-law to help with birth.  Nothing like learning first hand!
5. He was the provider of the home where Jesus was raised.  After Jesus was born, he found a house for them to live in Bethlehem.  The wise men came to Jesus not at the stable but as we read in Matthew 2:10-11 “When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.  And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him.  And when they opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him; gold, frankincense and myrrh”.  Was Joseph thinking that day that “this is what it is like for God’s Son the Messiah to be worshiped?  And we have enough gold to live like a king and buy a bigger house and provide for Him all the things that the Son of God should have in this world”.
6. He was strong and humble. But that night what happened?  Matthew 2:12-18 tells us.  Joseph again heard the voice of God and was immediately obedient and took Mary and God’s son to Egypt. Because of that Joseph became strong and humble.  Matthew 2:19-23

What does this mean for us today?  99% of us here today are the common person.  Our influence will not go beyond our immediate family, maybe our extended family, and a few friends.  But we need to be like Joseph.  We need to just or righteous for the Lord.  We need to be listening to God in our lives, we need to be obedient to God, like teaching our children or grandchildren at home about the Lord.  We can start this Christmas by gathering them around the tree or the family table and read the Christmas story.  Where else beside the church are they going to hear about the true meaning of Christmas?  We need to be flexible and see each day where God will use us.  We need to be providers in our home and teach our children and grandchildren how to be providers for the family. We need to be strong and humble because in the coming days it will not be easy to serve, teach, or live for the Lord.  We need to be a common godly person like Joseph because without him there would be no first Christmas.  Who will you influence today to make the right choice to choose Christ and live for him with joy and commitment?  

-Ken Hawkins
Senior Adult Pastor