I wanted to look at one of the characters in the nativity story that often seems to be, at least in my opinion, a little overlooked. No, it’s not the donkey. I’m thinking of Joseph.
Joseph was betrothed to Mary, they were due to be married. But then he finds out Mary is pregnant, and he knows it’s definitely not his. They’re not even married yet! What will people think? The gossip in town about the child out of wedlock, or the adulterous woman he married, or whatever other rumours the townsfolk could come up with would make life, at best, uncomfortable and at worst, dangerous for all of them.
But there’s an interesting phrase in the story, often skimmed over in favour of Mary, Gabriel and Bethlehem. It says that when Joseph found out Mary was pregnant, he knew he had to break off the engagement but he didn’t want to humiliate or publicly disgrace her, so he planned on doing it in private. To his mind, his fiance had broken his heart and been unfaithful and still he wanted to protect her. The future he had planned had just shattered, but still he was concerned about her welfare. The heart behind that kind of decision is pure and good.
Obviously, an angel appears to set his mind at rest and he goes through with the marriage. But his neighbours would know the timing didn’t add up and the rumours would still go. After all, who would believe it if he said an angel appeared in a dream and the child was from God? Regardless, Joseph did as the angel said. He protected Mary and the child that wasn’t his. As far as I can tell, Jesus was brought up as if he were Joseph’s own son – protected, nurtured and loved. Even the Son of God needed some guidance as he grew up.
I think we can be quick to overlook the cost Joseph paid in taking Mary as his wife and bringing up Jesus. I think we put a lot of emphasis on Mary’s obedience (quite right) but don’t put as much on Joseph’s. They were both needed to bring Jesus into the world. Life would have looked a lot different for Mary and a fatherless child in that society.
Joseph would have had to stick to his guns and do what he knew to be right in the eyes of God. Friends would probably have advised him to let Mary go, to break things off with the unfaithful girl. Or, if they accepted the child, would have urged for a family name rather than the one the angel told him. Joseph put his neck on the line by standing strong and resisting the pressure of his peers. In doing that, he could set up a life for Mary, Jesus and his other children.
There is something we can learn from Joseph’s understated courage and obedience. The Christian story would be very different without it. We don’t know the part we play, and sometimes that part may seem to go against common sense. But when God asks something of you, he makes it possible, just like he did for Joseph.
The Reason for my Hope Blog 