“When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. … She gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.”
Matthew 1:24-25
Joseph would have imagined that many joys and much excitement were ahead for him and his bride-to-be. Marriage would bring on a world of change. Through his and Mary’s dreaming about it, Joseph’s faith would be greatly tested. We can’t fathom the emotions as he stood on the brink of something totally new.
When he learned that Mary was pregnant, would his world feel like it was caving in? He had not yet received the angel’s explanation and would have been devastated. But the Bible tells us nothing of any unwillingness on Joseph’s part to do the right thing. It speaks only of his integrity and mercy. We see a man transformed by the gospel, reflecting the character of God even before the angel’s visit. He was willing to take on Mary’s “sin” and “shame,” imaging God before Jesus even had come on the scene.
Surely there were many conversations between Mary and Joseph. But we only know with certainty of one thing that Joseph voiced: the baby’s name. Joseph spoke, “Jesus—God saves,” one little word holding Joseph’s whole world and ours together.
When he learned that Mary was pregnant, would his world feel like it was caving in? He had not yet received the angel’s explanation and would have been devastated. But the Bible tells us nothing of any unwillingness on Joseph’s part to do the right thing. It speaks only of his integrity and mercy. We see a man transformed by the gospel, reflecting the character of God even before the angel’s visit. He was willing to take on Mary’s “sin” and “shame,” imaging God before Jesus even had come on the scene.
Surely there were many conversations between Mary and Joseph. But we only know with certainty of one thing that Joseph voiced: the baby’s name. Joseph spoke, “Jesus—God saves,” one little word holding Joseph’s whole world and ours together.
Scripture Focus
Matthew 1:21-25
Insight
As Joseph gave up his rights to protect Mary, so also Jesus would voluntarily give up His rights for us one day at Calvary.
Bible In A Year
- Hosea 4-6
- Proverbs 12
- James 4-5