But what about Joseph?

Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do 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 as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’ All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:

“Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel”,

which means, “God is with us.” When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.

Matthew 1:18-25

Who among us hasn’t prayed for a way to escape. The pace of life is often frantic. Given all that Joseph was facing at this moment in his life, it is clear that he was desperate for a better future than what he believed he was given. He was trying to find a way to escape the awkward circumstance for both himself and Mary.  

A Moment of Decision

Not much is said about Joseph in Scripture. Matthew is the only Gospel that deals with the question of Joseph at all. Otherwise, he gets lost in the nativity crowd. Luke's Gospel barely mentions him. Look him up in your Bible dictionary. Go to "J" and you'll find something like this: “Joseph, the husband of the mother of Jesus.” Even in Matthew, he appears in chapter one, disappears by chapter two, and never utters a direct sentence.

What we do know is that Joseph is an ordinary man who obeyed God. Seeking the best for both himself and Mary, he decided to put her away quietly. This would be the honorable thing to do. This would keep the scandal from spreading too far. But while Joseph dreams, God has other plans.

Joseph woke up in the morning and put his fears aside. His worry about his reputation would have to wait, for he was going to participate in the birth of Jesus. While God broke into Mary’s life by bringing life through her body, He has also chosen Joseph. Through his obedience, Joseph allows God to be born in him as well.

This quiet man, who participates on the sidelines of biblical history, is certainly one to take personal note of. He is the one in the story who is like all of us, presented daily with things beyond our control.

What Now?

What does God “being born in you today” mean? Is there room? What is God calling you to do in obedience to Him today?

When you’re tempted to walk away from life, or even our faith, just listen closely; there’s an angel whispering in our ears: “Do not be afraid. A holy child is waiting to be born in you if you will allow it.”

Impossible as it sounds, He is waiting to change this world and use you to do it. Welcome Him and give Him a place in your family. But don’t wait too long, because all the world is waiting to see Him arrive through you!