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Simplicity of Faith: Joseph

We know so little about Joseph…at least in comparison to Mary.

We know he was a “just man” as told to us in Matthew.

We know he was a carpenter.

    We know he loved Mary.  He must have.  As surely as it was devastating for a young virgin girl to find out she was giving birth to a child prior to marriage, imagine the mind of a young husband as he finds out his wife to be was pregnant.  Jewish laws were harsh and very clear.  Mary’s life was in danger.  But even before his dream, Joseph had decided he would divorce her secretly, “not wanting to make her a public example.”  He surely loved Mary, but he was a man, confused and disappointed at the turn of events.

    Then the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and explained the Lord’s plan…that the child was conceived by the Holy Spirit.  “And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

    Joseph did exactly as the angel said and took Mary as his wife.  Once again, we see the simple faith of a godly man, a just man.  Just as Mary was chosen by God, so was Joseph, and not just because he was from the line of David.  Joseph raised Jesus as his own and provided the necessary leadership as Jesus’ earthly father.  The last time we hear about him was when Jesus was twelve, when he was found teaching in the temple.  By that time, it is obvious the foundation had been laid.

    Through the years, Joseph has stood in the background, looking over Mary’s shoulder at our nativity scenes.  But God has used so many like Joseph to change our world.  Those we know so little of except that they were faithful:  disciples like Bartholomew, supporters of Paul like Aquilla and Pricilla…  through the years, those who have supported and followed the direction God has pointed them in…those who are faithful and have fulfilled their calling without fanfare…ministers who have set the stage for those who follow to reach people for Christ. 

    We live in a world that judges success by what others think.  Yet in the simple faith of those like Joseph, it is only what God thinks.  There is eternal peace just in knowing you did what He told you to do. 

    Praise God for a young girl like Mary, who became the mother of our Lord.  And praise God for Joseph, who accepted God’s plan and followed it, without fanfare…without even notice.  A simple faith to do what God tells us to do…may we all follow His call.

In Christ,
Billy

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