The holy conception of Jesus in Mary, in essence, puts Joseph to the test because the baby, our beloved Jesus, wasn't conceived by him. She was supposed to be a virgin as far as he was concerned and the news broke out before he had any idea God had conceived this child by the power of His spirit. This story is found in the book of Matthew, chapter 1, verses 18 through 25 and it reads:
"18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 20 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. 21 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." 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:23 "The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" (which means "God with us"). 24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus." Matthew 1:18-25 NIV
Joseph, like many of us, was a man in love, engaged to Mary and had planned to marry her. That is, until he realized she was pregnant, and let's assume he didn't know by whom at first, because he was considering leaving her quietly. If he had been sure it was God when she gave him the news, do you think he would have even considered leaving her? I don't think so! This news had to have certainly been a trial for Joseph. However, this trial had a purpose.
In verse 19 Joseph was contemplating getting out of it: "Joseph, to whom she (Mary) was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly."
Like Joseph, when we face trials, we want to get out of them, especially if we suspect adultery. We might've been angry, vented to everyone we know, thrown shade on social media, or put all our business out there to disgrace the person. What a drama that had to have been for Joseph. However Joseph, a man of integrity, didn't to do that. He didn't want to disgrace her and wanted to get out of it quietly. In Joseph's case, like in Jesus's crucifixion who died to save you and I, God didn't want Joseph to get out of this trial; he wanted Joseph to go through it. God had a purpose for Joseph and has a purpose for each one of us through the trials we face. God didn't just give Joseph a purpose; his purpose came through what he might have initially considered a trial... but God also gave him instructions.
While with Joseph, God sent an angel to inform him of His plans that would enable him to proceed, we are enabled to face our trials by the pre-recorded instructions found in the Bible. We have a manual that would help each one of us! I believe if we can't find it there, God will speak to us somehow. He did to me concerning a mental health trial I faced, but that's another story.
Nonetheless, on verse 20, "... (Jospeh) considered..." The Greek word is Enthumeomai which means to revolve in mind, ponder, to deliberate; and while he meditated on how to proceed, "an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream."
What if Joseph had reacted to the news? He might've rejected the Angel! Have you ever seen a conflict between two people, and you felt like you wanted to share some thoughts or advice when you suddenly saw the person react in anger, so you backed away? I have! I've also made people back away because of my anger. However, because Joseph didn't react to this news, the atmosphere was welcoming to the angel.
So, the angel goes on with details, reasons, and the purpose for what he would have to face, as well as what actions to take in verses 20 and 21 "As he (Jospeh) considered this (how to get out of it), an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. "Joseph, son of David," the angel said, "do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And, she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."
Joseph heeds the Lord's instructions through obedience in action because later, we read that when Joseph woke up from his dream, "...he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded and took Mary as his wife" (verse 24).
How often are we faced with a problem in which we take action without thinking, only to regret it later?
Or, how often are we quick to ask for advice without giving the Lord time to speak to us?
Let's consider the trials we're facing now and how we're handling them... What honorable options should we take into consideration before taking action? Or, is our mind made up? Would we ponder, meditate, and wait for instructions from the Lord?
Let's think hypothetically here... Can you imagine what might've happened if Joseph would have reacted upon hearing the news and unashamedly and publicly rejected Mary. Or, let's say the first thing he did would've been to go up to his friends for advice on what to do. What do you think they might have said?
Joseph's upright actions from the moment he learned about Mary's pregnancy made him part of the legacy of the birth of Jesus, and he became part of God's purpose by fulfilling his purpose.
Let's consider that obstacles might be the path to attaining the promise of God in our lives. Although we might not understand it, our stillness helps us to wait on instructions from God.
Joseph could've NOT considered his actions, and Mary could have been stoned to death, which were the consequences back then for people who committed adultery. Instead, Joseph's love for Mary enabled him to cover (what he might have thought was) a sin. This action could be a good example of how the scriptures tell us that love covers a multitude of sins (1. Peter 4:8) because of what Joseph was willing to do for Mary before he had all the facts. Are we covering people with our love?
When we face trials, we are usually set on Plan A or Plan B, like Joseph was but, we can also ponder like Joseph did who created a welcoming atmosphere for the Lord to speak. Like Jospeh, we can exercise integrity. If we take the time to ponder, God can show us His plan C, in Christ revealed who fulfilled the promise and called it finished at Calvary.
all of our sin at Calvary!
God's plan will likely require us to face trials head-on, like Joseph because we live in a broken world but God can be with us every step of the way if we let Him, (See Deuteronomy 31:8).
I want to end by emphasize out the three things he didn't do, and the things he did do, through this trial that stood out to me.
Joseph:
- Was not impulsive. He didn't just react in haste, as we mentioned earlier. He didn't put it out on social media, YouTube, Twitter or Facebook.
- Didn't scream at Mary in anger or angrily go around his family or town to talk about or vent about how Mary was pregnant from who knows who.
- Didn't question when he received the instructions from the angel, like Zechariah did (Luke 1:20), who had to be muted because of his unbelief or ran away like Jonah, (Jonah 1:1-2).
Instead he:
- Discreetly considered the steps he might take.
- Was still, and God showed up in his stillness.
- Was obedient, regardless of the criticism he might face because he'd marry a woman who was found pregnant.
Joseph chose not his will but the will of the Father!
As we go on with life and the problems we're facing, may we ponder until we hear from God. May we seek Him through prayer and His word for instructions on the steps to take, and when we hear from Him that we'd be quick to take action. God wants us to use us! He wants to fulfill His plan and purpose in and through us. Be willing to leave a legacy for those who are coming after you.
It won't be easy, but it will be worth it!
Be encouraged, Glenda L. Krupnick
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