What about Joseph? Pt. 1

So, let's put the fun stuff aside for a few, shall we? This Sunday we are doing a skit at church that includes me playing Joseph, Jesus' earthly father figure. After much contemplation and prayer I've decided it is humanly impossible, at least for me, to even begin to fathom what this man must have endured. I mean let's think about this for a minute. For starters consider the culture that Joseph was a part of. The Bible states, "Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man". -Mat 1:19a NIV It also says, "She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David." Luk 1:27b NLT. It's easy to derive from this that Joseph was a Jew. A Hebrew directly descended King David himself. This speaks greatly to the characteristics that Joseph would have embodied. Being called righteous was not something that would have been done flippantly. The Jewish faith is one steeped in ritual and discipline meaning Joseph must have been a deeply spiritual and faithful follower of our Creator.


Now, you have a man, disciplined follower of the Jewish faith, who is engaged, betrothed and married to Mary. She then comes to him, in whatever manner it happened, and tells him that she has conceived a child through the power of the Holy Spirit. Then he is faced with the decision of what to do next. By the law he has every right to allow her fate to be decided by the elders and members of the surrounding community. According to Jewish law that would mean nothing less than a stoning....to death.

Instead, feeling compassion for Mary, resolves to divorce her quietly. Saving her from certain death and saving he and his family from a disgrace that would certainly ruin a family of his culture and time.

No one knows why Joseph chose to save Mary from the impending doom that would fall upon a Jewish woman who became pregnant by someone other than her husband. I like to think that deep down God was already preparing him for the Good News he was about to receive.

In walks....the Angel of the Lord!

"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. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins."- Matt 1:20-21 KJV

Now I don't know about you but that right there would seal any deal for me. I don't care what my family said or the elders or the high priest. Shoot, Caesar himself could of showed up and told me to divorce Mary and I would have intently laughed in his face. I mean come on. The Jewish people have been visited by Angels and even God Himself throughout their rich heritage. Do you really think Joseph is just gonna walk away. Especially since this child, this miracle was the Savior God had promised the Hebrews for generations. I think not.

To be continued.....