Matthew 1:18-25
We tend to focus on Mary, Jesus’ mother, at Christmas and other times. Rarely
do we pay attention to Joseph, Jesus’ father. Today, we have our chance. Remember
that we are reading from the Gospel according to Matthew, not Luke, and the
details are different.
The story begins with the
complication that Mary’s news of her pregnancy adds to their relationship. Their
conversation must have been intense, as Mary insists the Father of the baby is
God’s Holy Spirit.
In ancient times, a betrothal is more than an engagement. It is a legal
document that begins their relationship. It means there is to be no hanky-panky
for either Mary or Joseph. So, when Joseph learns that Mary is pregnant, he assumes
that Mary has been unfaithful. This calls for a legal action, divorce. But
instead of announcing it publicly and shaming her, he plans to end the
engagement quietly.
As Joseph sleeps that night,
Gabriel, one of God’s angels, appears to him. He affirms what Mary has said: that
the child is the son of God and he will be called Emmanuel and Jesus. This
child will be God’s way of saving God’s people, bringing them back to God. Joseph
will be the child’s earthly father.
These two names are important, so
let’s consider them. Hebrew reads right to left, and the vowels are not
included in the main text but inserted underneath. Ima means with; nu means us;
and el is one of the names for God. Right to left, the Hebrew reads with-us-God.
In English, we get God with us. That Emmanuel will come is a promise made to
Isaiah. And in this moment, it is a promise about to be fulfilled.
The other name Gabriel speaks is
Jesus. Well, actually, Gabriel says, Yeshua or Yehoshua, which means God (Yeh) saves
(Shua). This image shows how the language goes from the Hebrew Yeshua or
Yehoshua to Greek to Latin Iesous. Eventually, the I was changed to a J
to match Joshua. Gabriel promises that Jesus/ Joshua / Yeshua will come to save
us.
Now, back to Joseph. Can you imagine how you would respond if you were
told that you were about to be the father of the child who will be God-with-us,
who will save God’s people? It seems
overwhelming, that’s for sure.
Joseph is convinced by the angel, and he and
Mary get through the months of her pregnancy together. One day the baby arrives
and while Mary rests from the ordeal of childbirth, Joseph enjoys his first
moments as a father.
It is a time for him to reflect on what it will be like to raise this
child. Joseph is just a simple working man. How can he possibly be a good
father? It is a scary enough thought for any of us, facing parenthood. But to
be the father of God’s son? Terrifying!
We don’t know much more than this about Joseph, especially in Matthew’s
Gospel. Tradition says that he died before Jesus began his ministry, because
there is no record of him in Jesus life during his ministry. Tradition also
says that he was significantly older than Mary, but there is little foundation
for that. For me it is enough that he did whatever he could to be a good
husband and father, as long as he could.
Several years ago, I heard for the first time a song by Michael Card
called Joseph’s song. It is also called How could it be. Joseph
wonders how he will be the father this child of God needs.
I’ll let the song finish my message.
Here are a couple options on YouTube.
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