Devotions Archive Archive: 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 Search Archive Print This Article Joseph and Mary Wednesday, December 18, 2002 Matthew 1:18-21 18) This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19) Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 20) But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21) She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." And we are forever grateful that Joseph woke up from that dream and changed his mind. He didn't divorce Mary, instead he showed up on her doorstep that very morning, took her in his arms, and probably said, "Let's get married right now!" The Bible says nothing about the families' response. Surely there was lots of talk, some anger, certainly confusion. Gossip about Mary's pregnancy probably filled the neighborhood for a time. None of that matters; it's only the permission granted to God by first Mary, and then Joseph, that is recorded. Jesus will come to the earth through their marriage, and their family. Joseph was a carpenter. He worked with wood, he worked hard and long hours, he worked with his hands. He did not pride himself on his insightful thinking, his brilliant deductions, his analysis of arguments to discern their truth or falsehood. An intellectual would perhaps have shrugged off a dream like Joseph had, and in so doing shrugged off God. Writing to the Thessalonians Paul, who was one of those intellectuals, writes wistfully, "Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and work with your hands" (1 Thess 4:11). That's one of my life-verses; it describes a life toward which I strive but rarely reach. I admire Joseph as one who lived this way, and taught Jesus to do the same. Father, bring me closer to you as I give you my thoughts, my dreams, and my hands. "; Add      Edit    Delete