This scene explains the ambiguity that we found in 1:16 regarding the father of Jesus, and I’m sure you will recall our discussion of that from last time. Joseph was betrothed to Mary, which in that place and time was a process of about a year in length. During that time, the couple was legally married, but their union could not be consummated. During this time, the woman would normally continue living with her parents, and after the appropriate time had expired, she would move to her husband’s house to begin their lives as husband and wife and consummate their marriage.
Since they were legally married, even though they were not living together, the only way this betrothal could be broken was by the death of one of the parties, or by a legal divorce. When our story picks up, Joseph has just found out that Mary is pregnant. Joseph does not know who the father of her child is, but he does know who the father is not. OK, so you are Joseph: What would you do?
Being a righteous man, Joseph recognizes that his betrothed has committed adultery, and that the Law prescribes what must come next. Being a compassionate man, he doesn’t want to initiate formal proceedings and bring Mary to disgrace, so he resolves to present her with a bill of divorce quietly, in front of two witnesses, rather than have formal proceedings, which technically would have her facing a capital crime.
With this all bouncing around in his mind, God steps in.
A messenger of God comes to Joseph and explains the situation (vv. 20-21) telling him that the child has come from the Holy Spirit of God. All of this takes place in a dream and then Joseph awakens. Verses 24 and 25 tell us that Joseph believed this and did as he was instructed, taking Mary into his house, and when the son was born, naming him Jesus; we are also told that Joseph and Mary did not consummate their marriage until after Jesus was born. It’s all well and good for us to read this and accept it without much more thought, but we also know how the story of Jesus ends, so the news that He was the Son of God is already a given in our minds, but what about Joseph? Every December we hear sermons and stories about the great faith of Mary, while Joseph is only mentioned in passing. Clearly, Mary’s faith was amazing, but it always strikes me that Joseph’s was even greater. Maybe it is because I’m a man, but Joseph was still faced with a rather significant choice here; what if that was just a regular old dream and not an angel coming to deliver a message?
Remember: Mary knew she was still a virgin; Joseph only knew he wasn’t the father of her child.
Whatever thoughts and lingering doubts may have been in his mind, Joseph did as he was instructed, and Jesus was of the royal line of David by adoption.
Some might be thinking here that Mary was also of David’s line as seen in Luke’s genealogy, and that would appear to be true. However, Mary was a descendant of David through David’s son Nathan, while Joseph was of David’s line through King Solomon, and the throne was passed down to and through Solomon, not Nathan, thus any claim Jesus would have had to the throne of David, would have been by his adoption by Joseph which, by the way, would be perfectly legal.
Much more important than any claim to the throne at that time, was the fact that Jesus’ actual father was God, and His unique status as royal heir and Son of God will continue to play a major part in his early years that are discussed in the next chapter.
In our next post however, I will discuss the two verses I had skipped, verses 22 and 23 which tell us that Jesus’ unconventional conception took place to fulfill the prophecy found in Isaiah 7:14; see you then!
Life Project Blog 
I nominated you for the one lovely blog award https://graceoverpain.com/2017/09/10/one-lovely-blog-award-nomination-my-2nd-blogging-award-nomination/
Congrats!
Thank you so much Efua, you are so kind. It’s not always to express how much i appreciate everyone out there who drops by here from time to time to visit, and such kindness as you have have shown today is humbling to say the least, and none of this is tempered in any way by the fact that this blog is “Award Free”. Thanks again for your great kindness and generosity, and my God richly bless you!
Don
Wow! What a lovely and humbling response. I thank God for your life. You have such a deep knowledge of the word of God and i pray for more of God’s grace and revelation on you. God bless you richly too. Keep up the good work!
Thank you!
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
Don, I wish you would read “JOSEPH: THE OTHER FATHER”. How would you react if you were told to protect God’s baby in a dangerous world full of armies and militias fighting each other on the highways to get Herod’s throne? So many times, Joseph in desperation must have cried out, “God, help me protect our son!” Below is my favorite part where they are on their way back from Egypt.
Joseph looks down at the innocent boy and cradles him in his big arms as he walks over to a nearby boulder. He sits and watches the boy in his slumber, taking smooth, even breaths.
“Oh, my son, my son,” Joseph says softly. “What is ahead for you where we are going? Will others rise up and try to kill you?”
He sways back and forth and looks up at the stars.
“What awaits you there, little boy? What challenges? How long will you be able to stay happy and carefree? How long will you be able to laugh easily and chase the squirrels and wiggle your little toes?”
He stares at an especially bright star and sways still.
“I feel so inadequate, Father. I do not think I will ever understand why you chose me. Help me. Never leave me. You promised you never would. Sometimes I feel so overwhelmed.”
Silence as he watches Jesus’ little chest rise and fall, and his breathing come easy and soft and gentle.
“It is going to be dangerous for him again, I fear. Oh, I know you said King Herod is dead. But now the fight for power begins as people rise up to take his place. Will little Jesus be in on that fight? Don’t let him be, Father. He is still too young. Oh, I realize you know that. But, I have to talk to someone and explain what I am feeling.”
He looks off into the darkness.
“How will he do it? How will he rise up to be the beloved divine king of the world? I do not understand. But I do not guess I need to understand.” Joseph pauses momentarily, looking down at Jesus’ lovely little face.
“Does he know yet? That he is your words on earth? Sometimes I think he senses it, the way he is with animals—even the little ants and crickets and butterflies. He really loves them. Sometimes I think he feels he needs to protect them.”
Joseph rocks little Jesus a while, then stands and walks in a large circle. He hums. Sometimes he draws the little boy close to his chest as though trying to protect him from the whole evil world, then goes back to rocking him.
“Sleep on, my little boy. Sleep and dream and grow up to be as good and innocent as you are now.”
Joseph sits back down and leans against the same boulder. He leans his head back and hums a song of strong tenderness. Then it is dawn.
Great stuff Katheryn, thanks for giving us a look!