Honor and integrity are critical to me as a lawman and as a man. Without them, I am neither. I don’t make promises easily or often. I have never failed to keep one and I won’t this time.”
–C.J. Petit (Tate)
“When Joseph got up from sleeping, he did as the Lord’s angel had commanded him. He married her.”
–Matthew 1:24(HCSB)
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It was a little over 51 years ago. It was midnight or after, the rain was pouring down and it was quite foggy in spots. I was taking Annie home from a wedding we both attended. We dated the previous spring semester in college and we met at the wedding of Gary Hines and Kathy Miller. On the rain driven night I decided to take the plunge; I pulled over on the Pennsylvania Turnpike and asked this wonderful woman to be my wife. No, the angels didn’t sing, and the trumpets didn’t blow or the drums beat, but I heard an affirmative word– YES! Then the sound of my heart let out a sound, or was it just the crack of lightning. I/We were officially engaged!
I wrote all of that because of Joseph. He was already betrothed to Mary. I imagine he had dreams; he probably thought of seeing her on their wedding day ready to take their vows and become one. But…yes, but God intervened. There is a wonderful phrase used by Paul, “in the fullness of times.” At one time, only one time in history would a man and woman be just, righteous, and able to handle the coming words from the Lord. What were Joseph’s thoughts when he found out that Mary was pregnant? Joseph was a righteous man, and could not in good conscience marry Mary, who would be thought unfaithful. It seemed quite a dilemma.
The Incarnation has always been a wonder to me. I have pondered it over and over, from different aspects. It continues to cause me to pause and think of the wonder of it all, the majesty and the mystery, the solemnness, and the integrity of Mary and Joseph along with their obedience.
“Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.”
–Matthew 1:19-20 (NKJV)
Joseph most likely knew the prophecy from Isaiah 7:14, “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” (NKJV) But really, Lord not us–was probably the thoughts that went through his mind after all of the other emotions. Joseph didn’t depend or rely upon his emotions, he started to put a plan into place, one that would not come to completion.
“Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife.”
–Matthew 1:24(NKJV)
The obedience of Joseph was immediate. He showed his true character and in humility and integrity went through with God’s plan that was not his own. Imagine, he had to take on the responsibility of raising Jesus, God’s Son. He was to care for Him, nurture and discipline Him, teach Him the Torah and also a trade. We do not know all that happened in the life of Jesus as a boy. It is dangerous to speculate, but He was placed in Joseph’s care and keeping.
Joseph and Mary were remarkable in their faith, obedience, and submission to God. It was Joseph who obeyed, when on the eighth day when Jesus was presented saying that His name was “Jesus.” These characteristics were taught to Jesus as He grew in strength, wisdom, and stature.
——————————-
It was a little over 51 years ago. It was midnight or after, the rain was pouring down and it was quite foggy in spots. I was taking Annie home from a wedding we both attended. We dated the previous spring semester in college and we met at the wedding of Gary Hines and Kathy Miller. On the rain driven night I decided to take the plunge; I pulled over on the Pennsylvania Turnpike and asked this wonderful woman to be my wife. No, the angels didn’t sing, and the trumpets didn’t blow or the drums beat, but I heard an affirmative word– YES! Then the sound of my heart let out a sound, or was it just the crack of lightning. I/We were officially engaged!
I wrote all of that because of Joseph. He was already betrothed to Mary. I imagine he had dreams; he probably thought of seeing her on their wedding day ready to take their vows and become one. But…yes, but God intervened. There is a wonderful phrase used by Paul, “in the fullness of times.” At one time, only one time in history would a man and woman be just, righteous, and able to handle the coming words from the Lord. What were Joseph’s thoughts when he found out that Mary was pregnant? Joseph was a righteous man, and could not in good conscience marry Mary, who would be thought unfaithful. It seemed quite a dilemma.
The Incarnation has always been a wonder to me. I have pondered it over and over, from different aspects. It continues to cause me to pause and think of the wonder of it all, the majesty and the mystery, the solemnness, and the integrity of Mary and Joseph along with their obedience.
“Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.”
–Matthew 1:19-20 (NKJV)
Joseph most likely knew the prophecy from Isaiah 7:14, “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” (NKJV) But really, Lord not us–was probably the thoughts that went through his mind after all of the other emotions. Joseph didn’t depend or rely upon his emotions, he started to put a plan into place, one that would not come to completion.
“Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife.”
–Matthew 1:24(NKJV)
The obedience of Joseph was immediate. He showed his true character and in humility and integrity went through with God’s plan that was not his own. Imagine, he had to take on the responsibility of raising Jesus, God’s Son. He was to care for Him, nurture and discipline Him, teach Him the Torah and also a trade. We do not know all that happened in the life of Jesus as a boy. It is dangerous to speculate, but He was placed in Joseph’s care and keeping.
Joseph and Mary were remarkable in their faith, obedience, and submission to God. It was Joseph who obeyed, when on the eighth day when Jesus was presented saying that His name was “Jesus.” These characteristics were taught to Jesus as He grew in strength, wisdom, and stature.