And her husband Joseph, since he was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly (Matthew 1:19 NASB).
As we follow Jesus, it’s encouraging to see human examples of sacrificial love lived out for us to imitate. With this is mind, let’s take a closer look at the life of Joseph, husband of Mary and earthly father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
What we Know about Joseph
At the beginning of his gospel, Matthew scribes Joseph’s lineage from Abraham, through David, Solomon and Hezekiah. We know he was the son of Jacob and a carpenter by trade.
When Joseph learned of Mary’s pregnancy, before he knew she was with child by the Holy Spirit, he chose not to accuse her or disgrace her, but to divorce her quietly. He was a righteous man. [1]
He was visited by an angel in a dream and instructed to not fear, but to take Mary as his wife. When he was told she had been conceived by the Holy Spirit and that her son would be named Jesus, Joseph trusted and obeyed. [2]
To honor what was happening, Joseph kept Mary a virgin until Jesus was born. [3]
Because Joseph was from the line of David, he traveled from Galilee to Bethlehem to register in the census ordered by Quirinus. While there, Joseph sought for a place for Mary to have her baby. Since there were no vacancies, Joseph secured shelter for her in a stable. When Jesus was born, He was laid in a manger. [4]
Joseph obeyed God’s command and named the boy Jesus. After eight days, Joseph had Jesus circumcised. Later he brought his son to the temple to be presented to God. [5]
After the magi from the east arrived and presented their gifts, Joseph was warned in a dream to flee to Egypt because Herod was a threat to Jesus. Joseph obeyed and escaped by night with the Child and His mother. [6]
Joseph loved and supported his family. The last we hear of him was when Jesus was twelve year old and taken to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of the Passover. [7]
Looking at Joseph’s life, three aspects of love emerge worth imitating:
- Unoffendable Love
- Selfless Love
- Protective Love
Unoffendable Love
One of the most difficult heart breaks we face is when our love is betrayed or rejected. From first hand experience, this sadness has the potential of spinning our lives out of orbit and shaking our foundation. I can only imagine how Joseph must have felt when Mary showed up pregnant after visiting her cousin Elizabeth. What deep betrayal he must have felt! Yet, he responded in love. Joseph could have accused Mary, which may have led to her stoning. Instead, he planned to end the relationship quietly, not putting her to shame.
Loving as Joseph did required an awareness of a greater, eternal love which doesn’t fade and holds beneath the veil. Joseph loved Mary, but He loved God more. He was able to respond to her apparent betrayal with an eternal love only God could have given him.
We don’t know exactly how long before Joseph heard the truth from the angel. In the meantime, I feel sure Joseph cried out to his Comforter to draw near to sooth his aching heart. Our Father is the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our afflictions. [8]
Selfless Love
Selfless love is loving others in spite of what it costs us. It’s what Joseph did when he showed grace to Mary. He would continue from there, sacrificially caring for his family from Galilee to Bethlehem to Egypt to Nazareth, for as long as he lived.
Selfless love is what Jesus demonstrated for us on the cross. It’s how husbands are to love their wives, sacrificially, considering them and loving them before their own needs.
But selfless love is not confined to marriage. Paul urges all believers to “regard one another as more important than himself.” [9] He goes on to tell us to be like Jesus who “emptied Himself, taking the form of a bondservant.” [10]
This kind of love, which puts the needs of others first, can’t be accomplished outside of reliance upon the Holy Spirit. To love this way requires walking in newness of life and continually putting off our old ways of thinking.
Protective Love
Joseph found himself in a very demanding situation. Jesus was no ordinary Child he was assigned to father. But he continually put the needs of Mary and his family over his own interests. He also had to protect them against any harm. Like a night watchman, constantly surveying the horizon for threats, Joseph was alert to protecting his vulnerable family.
He found a place for the baby to lay when the inn was full. He led his family in their night escape to Egypt. From there he took them to Nazareth because a threat remained.
Loving in a protective way requires putting others first. It takes a willingness to do whatever it takes for the safety and well being of others.
Jesus willingly gave up His life to protect us from eternal separation from God. And He wants us to love others with the same kind of love: This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you (John 15:12 NASB)
Challenge
As you look at Joseph’s life, what aspect of how he loved stands out?
Has your heart been broken? Call out to the Comforter to draw near and sooth your deep pain. Will you respond to the offender like Joseph did?
Do you find yourself always fighting for what you want? Try laying aside your desires and seeking the interest of others first.
Be aware of the dangers in the lives of those you love. Be a protector, beginning with prayer. Our enemy, the devil is a roaring lion, ever seeking to destroy. [11] Continually present them to our Loving Shepherd, the true Protector of the sheep.
Prayer
Lord, as I look at Joseph’s life, I want to love like him. But I’m weak. I know I can only love others in these ways by depending on Your Holy Spirit within me. Please help me to abide in You.
I only love because You love me. Please destroy any lies or speculations which block me from fully knowing and walking in Your love.
Please show me how to love the people in my path.
May the words of my mouth be Your words. My my deeds be supplied by Your strength.
May You always be glorified by my life.
Amen.
[1] Matthew 1:19
[2] Matthew 1:20-24
[3] Matthew 1:25
[4] Luke 2:1-7
[5] Luke 2:21-24
[6] Matthew 2:13-14
[7] Luke 2:41-52
[8] II Corinthians 1:3-5
[9] Philippians 2:3b
[10] Philippians 2:7b
[11] I Peter 5:8
Previous posts in the series – Our Highest Joy:
Dealing with sadness and disappointment
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Joy in the Journey is about the gladness of God’s nearness in the midst of life’s adventures.
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