I don’t pretend to presume that Joseph (Jesus’ earthly father/guardian) gave up or suffered more than did his bride, Mary, with the announcement and the ensuing events of Jesus’ odd conception and birth. But being a dad myself—and since not a whole lot is written about Joseph—I’ve been thinking about him lately as I’ve been reading through Matthew’s birth narrative (Matthew 1:18-2:23). Joseph seems to have loved this young girl, to whom he was betrothed to be married. The evidence of this love leaks out in his tender response to the alarming news of Mary’s pregnancy—a pregnancy he knew he had nothing to do with (other options could have been public stoning or at least public disgrace and ridicule). But out of this temperate heart, he didn’t seek these more publicly scorning alternatives.  Rather his intent was to divorce her quietly and without shame (Mt 1:19). And he would have done so had it not been for his obedience to the heavenly dreams. What has especially impacted me is what all Joseph was willing to sacrifice as part and parcel of this announcement. Though a bit different from our culture today, it was among the greatest privileges in life for a Jewish man to sire his first-born son. Along with the personal fulfillment of knowing one’s name and legacy would be carried on, it earned one the accolades and approval of community and friends. Yet, it was this prized element of fatherhood, no doubt desired by Joseph, which God asked him to relinquish in order to accept this odd “gift.â€?Â
What went on in Joseph’s relationship with God during this time? What life-lessons of faith did God pour into his heart? I know that as a dad myself, some of the most poignant teaching moments that God has with me involve the parallel relationship of my children and myself. And so, I wonder if God allowed Joseph to taste the wounded Father-heart of God through this experience. Joseph, in a sense, experienced the death of his own first-born son. It was the death of his life-long dream for a first-born son. And it was this dream’s fulfillment which Joseph placed on the alter, just as Abraham did to Isaac. But this time, God did not halt the sacrificial knife in its descent. It plunged deep into the heart of Joseph’s dream. Maybe, just maybe, in that moment Joseph had a clearer picture into the heart of God than did anyone else. Maybe he realized the price that God the Father was paying in what seemed to be a humble little gift of a newborn.Â
Joseph’s days remain largely unwritten, known now only to God. But imagine what sort of man Joseph must have been for God the Father to trust him with God’s own Son? Could God have trusted me?
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION:
1. If you’ve seen the newly released movie, “The Nativity,� (Dec 1, 2006) I’d be curious to know your thoughts on how Joseph was portrayed.
2. What qualities do you suppose God looked for in Joseph in order to place within his stewardship God’s own Son?
3. Do you possess those qualities?
3 Comments on “What Joseph sacrificed that first Christmas”
Pastor Brent,
I haven’t seen the movie, “The Nativity” yet, but in other dramatizations and from what I gather in your blog and from my own feelings on Joseph, it took a man of strong conviction and strength to be in his position. I think that Joseph was stronger than he himself even saw himself to be. We all at times struggle with self-doubt, and he was likely doubting that he could handle the situation in their social climate, but God gave him the dream and thus the encouragement to do what it was that he meant for him to do. A man of lesser faith would have left Mary, and thus a man of lesser faith was not betrothed to her; God knew what he was doing, yes?
It boggles the mind to think that such a man was hand picked by God to raise the boy who was God. I’m trying to get my mind around it.
I’ve not seen the movie yet. Intend to next week. Unable to comment on that subject, as of now. I’ll come back after the viewing. What did Pastor Brent think of the movie and the way Joseph was portrayed????
The qualities God instilled in Joseph most assuredly would have to include integrity, loyalty, faith, great character, many facets of love and honor. Do I have these? I’d like to think that I do but certainly not 100% of the time.
I’m confused on this subject of Joseph. I guess I’m guilty of not thinking much of him in my Christian journey. Being ignorant as to the customs of the Jewish faith, I’d have not taken into consideration the “dream” of a first born son….Jesus may not have been his, but my gosh, He was GOD! What more could any man ask for? What greater task could be asked of you then to take part in raising the son of God? I dunno. I’m at a loss here. I don’t understand how any dream could be lost while being used in such a holy way. More research and reading are necessary, obviously, on my part to gain more understanding. Thanks for the food for thought.
Melody, we actually haven’t seen the movie yet. As YOU know, it’s the matter of 3 little ones that keeps us out of the theater quite a bit. I wish we could go more than we do.
I understand your point about what was given to Joseph in exchange for note siring his own son. However, we’re thinking about it from this side of the events. We forget about the uncertainty in who this baby really was, how it all happened, and the social embarrassment surrounding the conception and events (most at the time did not believe the story that Joseph and Mary were giving). So, Joseph gave up the normality of just being a first-time dad. I think that’s something at least–especially when most of his questions were not yet answered as ours have been. In hind sight, yes, it sure could be viewed as a “trade up” rather than a “trade off.”