God’s Intervention in the birth of Jesus. (Matthew 1:18-24)
INTRODUCTION
Joseph, the husband of Mary, is a good model
for us in handling crisis situations. When he found that his betrothed
wife was pregnant, and when her justification was not convincing to him,
he took a non-judgmental approach to Mary. As a righteous man, he did
not want to put Mary in shame or subject her to punishment. While Joseph
was considering to divorce Mary in private, God interfered through a
dream to him. It is similar to God’s interference in the life of Abraham
when he was close to sacrifice his son Isaac. Patience of Joseph allowed
him to experience the timely intervention of God to resolve the issue
and to take up the noble and hard responsibility as head of the Holy
Family. Joseph was a quiet and active servant of God. His model of
service to Jesus and Mary, based on his trust in the Lord, is a model
for our Christian life.
Bible Text
(18) Now this is how the
birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to
Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found
with child through the holy Spirit. (19) Joseph her
husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her
to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. (20) Such
was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in
a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary
your wife into your home. For it is through the holy Spirit that this
child has been conceived in her. (21) She will bear a
son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people
from their sins.” (22) All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had
said through the prophet: (23) “Behold, the
virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him
Emmanuel,” which means “God is with us.” (24) When
Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took
his wife into his home.
(18) Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the holy Spirit.
Infidelity after betrothal
According to the Jewish custom, betrothal was the first part of the marriage when bridegroom and bride made an agreement that was binding. Both of them were known as husband and wife. However, they could not live together like married couples until their official wedding would take place a year after. Any infidelity in between betrothal and wedding was considered adultery and was subject to severe punishment.
(19) Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly.
Need of divorce after
betrothal
Dilemma of Joseph
Patience of Joseph
Joseph of the Old Testament could take
revenge on his brothers or at least put them to public shame when they
came in front of him in Egypt searching for food. Instead, he treated
them well and told them, ‘You intended to harm me, but God intended it
for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
So then, don't be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.’ And
he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.” (Genesis 50: 20-21). Joseph
in the New Testament is also a favorite son of God the Father who
inherited the holiness and righteousness of his forefathers, especially
Joseph of the Old Testament.
(20) Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her.
Dream
Bible gives importance to dreams and
interpretation of dreams. Dreams were used for various purposes. Some
times God used dreams to reveal prophecy. Like Joseph, the husband of
Mary, Joseph of the Old Testament was also a dreamer. He was also gifted
with interpretation of dreams. His dream of his brothers bowing down to
him came true. His interpretation of Pharaoh’s dream saved Egypt and his
family from seven years of famine. The dream of the Babylonian king
Nebuchadnezzar and its interpretation by Prophet Daniel came true in the
history. Gideon was encouraged for winning the war in a dream.
(Judges 7:5).
Dreams were also used in the Bible to give
warning from dangers. The Magi did not return to King Herod because God
warned them in a dream. (Matthew 2:12). God warned Joseph in a dream to
flee to Egypt for saving the life of Infant Jesus. (Matthew 2:13).
Another message through dream of Joseph brought the Holy Family back to
Nazareth. (Matthew 2:19-22). These dreams were special and different
from ordinary dreams.
Angel of the Lord
Son
of David
“Son of David” was used for Jesus several
times by people who were seeking his mercy. For example, a
Canaanite woman called Jesus, “Lord, Son of David” while asking him to
cure her daughter who was tormented by a demon. (Matthew 15:22). Two
blind men requesting healing from Jesus also called him, “Lord, Son of
David.” (Matthew 20:30). In these cases, they were acknowledging Jesus
as their savior using the term Lord and the Messianic title “Son of
David.” The usage of “son of David” by the angel to Joseph is not the
messianic title but only meant that God sees his ancestral connection
with David, from whose line the deliverer would come. There is
difference in the use by “son” by translators: “S” is capital when “Son
of David” is used for Jesus and “s” is small letter when it is used for
Joseph.
Do
not be afraid
Take Mary into your home
According to the Jewish custom
of marriage, the final stage of wedding was when the bridegroom, who was
also called husband, would come to bride’s home and take her to his
home. So the angel was assuring Joseph that he could trust Mary and take
her home as his wife.
Role of the Holy Spirit
(21) She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
Joseph is not biological father of Jesus
Mary allowed Joseph to Name the child Jesus
Comparison of Joshua and Jesus
(22) All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:
Matthew was here referring to Isaiah the
prophet in 7:14.
(23) “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means “God is with us.”
“The virgin” (not “a virgin”) stands for a
particular virgin that God had selected for this role. And that chosen
virgin was Mary.
Emmanuel is more a title than a name
(24) When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.
A
non-consummated marriage
The
special fatherhood of Joseph
Message
1. Like Joseph who was non-judgmental in his
approach towards Mary, let us also not jump to judge others or act
against them. Even if we cannot comprehend the view of others, let us
try to understand them from their position or leave it to the judgement
of God.
2. Joseph was patient in resolving the issue
with Mary. Though Joseph was considering a private divorce, he took time
pondering on it. An immediate reaction from Joseph could have made
Mary’s life miserable, and missed his vocation as foster father of the
Messiah. Timely action is good in emergency situations. However, when
there is a conflict within oneself or in the relationship with others,
patience and tolerance for a while with trust in God will help us for a
better solution. Reasonable buying of time can be beneficial to get help
from God or from others to resolve the issues.
3. Like Joseph, let us also cooperate with
the will of God. He is a silent character in the Bible. We do not hear
him speak. He did not say a word to the angel, probably because the
angel spoke to him in a dream. When Jesus was lost and found at the age
of 12 in the Temple, Joseph did not say a word. It was Mary who spoke to
Jesus. Though Joseph did not express his willingness to cooperate like
Mary did, he wholeheartedly took up all the responsibilities of his
mission. He was not honored as the foster father of the Savior while he
was alive because Jesus had not become popular before Joseph’s death.
The only honor Joseph had was that he died at the presence of his legal
son and Messiah Jesus, and his wife and co-redeemer Mary. As the
disciples of Jesus, we are called to cooperate with Jesus and do the
will of God in our lives. More than our words, our attitude, humble
service, and willingness to take up the hardships of life for the family
and for the church are important.