Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.” And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife, but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus. ~ Matthew 1:18-25
Sometimes I think we don’t give Joseph enough credit for his role in the Incarnation. He had to believe the angel and take Mary for his wife even though they would be subject to public ridicule that Mary was pregnant before they married. He had to parent and protect the baby and then the child even though Jesus was not biologically his. Joseph could have refused to get involved, but instead he believed the angel and from that moment on, he was totally committed to raising the Son of God.
Lord, touch my heart and mind so that I am as willing as Joseph to do whatever You ask of me. Easy or hard, long or short, fun or tedious—whatever You ask of me, I want to respond joyfully in agreement. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
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