Living 4 Him

“Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot—yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root.  And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on him.” Isaiah 11:1-2 (New Living Translation)

The passage quoted above speaks of a new shoot growing from David’s family over 500 years before Jesus was born. This branch, planted in the Spirit of the Lord, will bring forth fruit.  Both Matthew and Luke record lineage that points to Joseph and his link to David’s family. 

Joseph, Jesus’ earthly father, plays an integral role in helping Jesus come safely into the world and remain in safety for the first few years of his life. As we take a closer look into Joseph’s actions, we see a godly man at work.

Most of what we know of Joseph comes through the book of Matthew, particularly the first two chapters.  Matthew states that Joseph was a righteous man.  This conclusion may have been drawn primarily from the way he treated Mary, his betrothed. 

Jewish custom gave couples a long engagement period with binding commitments similar to marriage.  According to Jewish law, if either person were unfaithful, the resulting punishment could be death.  However, some Jewish communities allowed for a divorce along with a public shunning of the guilty party. 

Joseph reacted to Mary’s pregnancy in a different way. 

“Because Joseph was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.”  Matthew 1:19

The word “quietly” tells of his tenderness toward Mary; a tenderness that would not allow him to hurt her in any manner.  He cared about her well-being.  He cared about doing the right thing in the right way. 

Before Joseph could divorce her, God intervened, sending an angel to him in a dream to bring better understanding of God’s plan for this child.  Joseph believed the angel and stayed with Mary, supportive and protective. 

Joseph possessed a spirit open to God’s leading.  Perhaps this is why the angel visited him in a dream.  Joseph kept a posture toward God, accepting God’s grander plan over his own, although he may not have understood all of it.  Joseph’s openness to God offered him two more angel visitations after Jesus was born to guide his young family to safety. 

Although not specifically stated in the Bible, we can conclude that when Joseph and Mary were in Bethlehem and Mary suddenly went into labor, Joseph chose the right way to react.  Unable to find sufficient lodging, he still managed to find a safe, quiet place for Mary to give birth and a manger for Jesus to sleep in after he was born. 

Joseph’s godly character is a holy example for us of what righteousness is:

Joseph chose the right way to treat Mary in the midst of unsettling news.

Joseph chose the right way to honor God by putting God’s plans first, honoring God’s wishes and obeying God’s commands. 

Joseph chose the right way to react when faced with unexpected needs in Bethlehem.

How is it possible that Joseph maintained this righteous way of living?  This quote from James Dobson explains: “What pleased God was Joseph’s faithfulness.” Joseph committed his heart to God therefore his every action connected to that firm, Godly commitment.

Joseph was faithful to God and his gentle ways.

Joseph was faithful to God’s sovereign plans.

Joseph was faithful to care for and love people.

When we live in a similar posture to Joseph’s; open to God’s leading, open to God’s ways, open to sharing God’s love, while staying faithful to our commitment to him,  we help God’s kingdom thrive on this earth. 

Reaching in (allowing God’s word to work in our souls):  Read through Matthew 1 and 2 paying close attention to Joseph’s roles in the story. 

Reaching out (taking God’s word into the world): Choose to be faithful to God and his ways and you’ll bring joyous living to your days.