Characters of the Nativity - A Deeper Dive
Joseph
Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25
message recap
We are continuing our Advent Series, Characters of the Nativity, in which we are looking at the characters who played a role in the Christmas story. We began on the first Sunday of Advent with the angels, who brought messages of God’s plan and Jesus’ birth. Last week, we looked at the supporting cast - those characters who played a significant role in the story but who don’t receive top billing. Today, we turn our attention to Joseph; next week, we’ll reflect on Mary. Our series concludes with Jesus during our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service.
As we’ve been discussing, God’s plan of redemption for his creation centered around sending his one and only son to be born here on Earth. To carry out this plan, God needed a couple. He needed parents to raise this one that would be King of the Jews - the Messiah. An earthly father figure from the line of David was required to fulfill ancient prophecy. Joseph and Mary, in many ways an unlikely choice, were destined by God to be the couple he needed.
Despite Joseph’s responsibility in God’s plan, his role in the story is almost secondary. He remains primarily in the background, but his actions speak volumes about his character and faith. Joseph’s obedience, humility, and unwavering sacrificial love make for a powerful witness story. The text refers to Joseph as the “son of David.” He was, in fact, a descendant of King David, which was essential to the prophecy that the Messiah would come from the House of David. Joseph’s connection to David demonstrates how God’s plan for the Messiah was intricately woven throughout the history of the Jewish people.
Joseph is said to have been a carpenter, but the original Greek word tekton could refer to a broader range of skilled trades. Regardless, using that word speaks to Joseph’s practical skills and the work ethic required. We know Joseph and Mary were betrothed - engaged as we call it now. For Jewish people of that time, the betrothal period was like a marriage, except the couple wasn’t allowed to live together or have any type of physical relations. To do so would bring dishonor upon themselves and their families. It was typical for the betrothal period to last anywhere from a couple of months to several years.
Given the cultural customs and restrictions surrounding a betrothal, Joseph faces quite a dilemma as described in this week’s text:
“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.”
As a carpenter and tradesman, Joseph certainly worked very hard. In addition to the work he did to provide for himself and his future wife, he was also likely working on what would become the home he and Mary would share. He was literally building their future. The Bible doesn’t record Mary and Joseph's actual conversation when Mary revealed she was pregnant with someone else’s child. But there’s little doubt that Joseph must have initially felt heartbroken and betrayed. The explanation Mary offered must have sounded utterly unbelievable to him despite his deeply rooted faith in God.
Joseph had to make a decision. If he were to say that the baby was his, not only would he be lying, but he would still bring dishonor to himself and his family. As a godly man, this wasn’t an ideal option. Based on scripture, we know Joseph was just and righteous. He knew and kept the Law, so he could have chosen to expose Mary’s unfaithfulness, making her a public disgrace. This option would have brought shame and suffering to Mary and could have ultimately led to her death by stoning.
On the other hand, since the betrothal arrangement was a covenant similar to marriage, Joseph could choose to divorce Mary quietly. This option would allow Mary to avoid disgrace and public shame, hopefully protecting her from harm. In turn, he would keep his integrity. Even though he was likely feeling hurt by the situation, this option demonstrated compassion in the midst of pain. We know from Matthew’s text that this was Joseph’s solution.
“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.”
But the story wasn’t over. An angel of the Lord visited Joseph 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.”
Joseph is instructed not to divorce Mary and is told to go through with the marriage and treat her son as his own. He is also told to name the child, thus giving Joseph the responsibility of caring for and providing for baby Jesus.
So, how is it that Jesus is considered in David’s bloodline when Joseph was not his biological father? When Joseph decided to take Mary as his wife, even though she was pregnant, and he agreed to be the one to name Jesus, Jewish tradition and law came into play. Joseph effectively adopted Jesus as his son, meaning Jesus would inherit all legal and social rights, including the lineage to King David.
Despite the social stigma, the challenges, and the pressure of raising the Messiah, Joseph’s willingness to accept the angel’s instruction is a testament to his unwavering faith and trust in God’s plan. It reminds us that obedience to God often requires us to set aside our own desires and fears. Joseph never speaks of his decision; he simply takes action. His sole focus and purpose was to fulfill God’s will.
The Bible does not mention Joseph after Jesus’ encounter at the temple when he was twelve (see Luke 2:41-52). Scholars tell us that he died a peaceful death before Jesus began his ministry. Joseph left a model of love that we can all follow. In his love for Mary and his obedience to God, we find a powerful example of the love we celebrate during the season of Advent. It was not self-serving but unconditional, sacrificial, and steadfast, just like God’s love for all humanity. Let Joseph's love inspire us as we continue through this Advent season. Let us be those who love God and love people unwaveringly, unselfishly, unconditionally, and sacrificially.
Unsung Heroes
While Joseph’s story of being Jesus’ earthly father and taking Mary as his wife, despite the scandal it caused, is well known, he probably still doesn’t receive the overall recognition he deserves. If you’ve ever seen a Christmas pageant, you might have noticed Joseph has no spoken lines. He’s more or less left to the background, overshadowed in many ways by angels and wise men. We might consider Joseph as one of the unsung heroes of the Bible.
There are others, of course - those faithful servants who quietly answer God’s call without being noticed. Consider Ananias, a respected disciple whose name appears in just two passages in the Book of Acts. Similar to Joseph, God calls Ananias to do something that might have caused controversy or a great deal of public scrutiny. God directed him to minister to the deadliest enemy of the Christian faith at that time - Saul.
Saul had just arrived in Damascus to arrest all Christians, including Ananias, and deport them to Jerusalem. His intent was to create terror among the Christian community in Damascus. No doubt, Ananias faced a terrible dilemma when God told him to go and pray for Saul, who was now blinded. Who in their right mind would want any part of this assignment? Ananias even questioned the instruction directly as the Lord came to him in a vision:
“13 ‘Lord,’ Ananias answered, ‘I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.’”
As we learn from the rest of the story, Ananias goes to Saul and ministers to him. He lays hands on Saul, praying for his sight to be restored and for him to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Ultimately, Saul, better known as the Apostle Paul, is baptized and begins preaching about Jesus. It is a miraculous conversion story, and the man responsible receives only two passages in the Bible. Paul writes about Ananias later in the Book of Acts (see Acts 22:12-16) and fondly remembers his role in Paul’s conversion and ministry.
Not every hero of the faith, past or present, receives top billing. Many of the most righteous people we know work behind the scenes. But they answer their call and are obedient to God. We can learn from all of the unsung heroes to be faithful servants no matter how significant or mundane our contribution may seem.