Joseph

Photo of Joseph the Worker icon by Theophilia on DeviantArt

What do we know about Joseph from Matthew 1:18-25?

Joseph was a man of character and integrity. Joseph was engaged to Mary, but did not live with her before marriage (1:18).

Joseph was a righteous man (1:19).

Joseph was a man of peace and quiet judgement. Having discovered his soon to be wife—Mary was pregnant, Joseph was unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, but planned to dismiss her quietly (1:19).

Joseph cared more about character and honor than he did about money. Joseph was willing to protect Mary, and to forfeit the bride price he paid, and his father-in-law’s monetary gift, most likely given at betrothal, by not having a public trial (1:19).

Joseph was a resolute and kind man. Joseph was unwilling to put Mary to public shame, and was willing to dismiss her quietly (1:20).

Joseph was a man in tune with God. Joseph listened to an angel of the Lord who appeared to him in a dream (1:20).

Joseph was a son of David, in the messianic lineage of King David (1:20).

Joseph was courageous. Joseph faced his fears around taking Mary as his wife, being told the child conceived in her was from the Holy Spirit (1:20).

Joseph was a man of responsibility. Joseph named Jesus, as instructed by the angel, taking responsibility like the first man—Adam to name the living creatures (1:21).

Joseph was welcoming, caring, and hospitable. Joseph received Jesus as his adopted son by naming him and blessed him with the destiny of the name Jesus, “for he will save his people from their sins." (1:21)

Joseph was obedient to God. Joseph fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah through his obedience. “All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: "Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel," which means, "God is with us." (1:22-23).

Joseph was detailed and comprehensive in his faithfulness and obedience. “Awaking from his sleep, Joseph did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took Mary as his wife” (1:24).

Joseph was a man of purity and moral integrity. Joseph had no marital relations with Mary until she had their son and he named him Jesus, as instructed (1:25).

We can learn a lot from what little we know of Joseph.

May we emulate the life of integrity of God’s faithful and obedient servant Joseph.

A Collect of Saint Joseph, March 19: “O God, who from the family of your servant David raised up Joseph to be the guardian of your incarnate Son and the husband of his virgin mother: Give us grace to imitate his uprightness of life and his obedience to your commands; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.” (Book of Common Prayer, 2019).

Photo of Joseph the Worker icon by Theophilia on DeviantArt