NO AVERAGE JOE

 MATTHEW 1:18-25 NKJ 
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. 20 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. 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” 22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” 24 Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, 25 and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.  

Matthew is the gospel written by a Jew to the Jewish people about a very Jewish Jesus.  I have heard Jews testify about coming to faith in Christ after reading Matthew chapter one and seeing how Jewish Jesus is.   

Here Matthew tells the story of Joseph, the unsung hero of the birth of Jesus.  In this short passage, we learn about the character of the man tasked with raising the Savior of the world.   

When Mary was found pregnant, though still a virgin, the burden of what to do with her fell to Joseph.  Matthew tells us he was a just or upright man.  He was truly a class act.  Even though he undoubtedly felt betrayed by Mary and publicly embarrassed, he did not want to make her a public example.  That is class.   

And Joseph was not a rash individual.  He was thinking about what to do with Mary.  So if he had a temper, he was able to keep it in check long enough to hear from God.   

He was also a man of faith.  When the angel gave him instruction concerning Mary, he did not rationalize it away.  Even though he was a thinker, he was a believer also.  Keep in mind the angel shared a pretty wild story.   

Joseph also obeyed.  He woke up, took Mary to be his wife. He did not touch her until the child was born and named Him Jesus.  He did not explain away the angel's message or name the child after himself.  This is the kind of man that God could trust with the most important child in history.  Joseph was no average Joe.   

APPLICATION 

Here are some great character traits to follow from the life and example of Joseph.   

We don't have to get even or lash out at people even when they have done us wrong.   

We can be people who do not act rashly but rather ponder our actions.  This will give God an opportunity to lead us.   

We can be people of faith.  Acting upon what has been revealed to us by God's word and His Holy Spirit.   

And we can be obedient to whatever God asks us to do in life, even if we don't exactly understand all the details.   

We can be the kind of people God can trust - no average Joe's and Josephine's.   

PRAYER 

Help me, Lord, become the kind of person You can trust.  A class act for You.