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BEAUTIFUL
SAVIOR:
© Gregory L. Jackson, 1999
A Mighty Fortress Lutheran Church
6421 W. Poinsettia Drive
Glendale, Arizona 85304
#6 Joseph and Mary
Confusion is caused by seeing the Bible in light of our current customs instead of theirs. The custom then was to have religious marriage vows, then to live apart for a long or short interval, and finally to have a wedding feast celebrating the bringing home of the wife to her husband’s home. This may have developed because of younger marriages, dependence upon parents, and the need to find an adequate home. Therefore, we have to remember that Joseph and Mary were husband and wife by virtue of their vows and yet not living together.
We think of Christmas and the birth of Jesus as a wonderful time, and it is for us. However, the birth of Jesus brought great difficulties to Joseph and Mary, from the very beginning.
Goals:
1. The youngest children should learn that the birth of Jesus was so unusual that Joseph and Mary had to accept hardships because of it. They trusted in God. That is the meaning of faith.
2. Grade school children should know that people honored in the Bible are examples of patience and faith.
3. Confirmation age children should understand more of the details of Joseph’s awkward position. They should also look to Joseph and Mary as examples of believing in God’s Word.
II.
Bearing
the Cross
Matthew, like Luke, is a clear witness of the Virgin Birth. Joseph and Mary were betrothed, but they were not living together as husband and wife. The custom was to make vows in front of witnesses. (Ezekiel 16:8; Malachi 2:14). The couple was married at that point but they did not begin living together for a period of time. After an interval, the husband brought his wife to his home, with a joyous celebration (Matthew 25:1). The interval between vows and living together confuses us today. (See Lenski, St. Matthew, p. 40)
Only Mary knew about God’s promise at first, so Joseph was faced with a terrible problem. Based on human wisdom, he was convinced that his future wife was in love with another man.
Matthew 1:18 Now
the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was
espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the
Holy Ghost. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to
put her away privily.
Matthew’s Gospel tells us that Joseph was willing to divorce Mary quietly and not make a spectacle out of Mary. Human wisdom would say, “He had a right to divorce her.” Children should think about the good news of Jesus appearing to be very bad for Joseph, before Joseph knew about God’s promises.
20 But while he
thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a
dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy
wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall
bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his
people from their sins.
The angel was sent to Joseph to tell him that his fears were unfounded. His future wife was not in love with another man. Certain things were told to Joseph:
a.
The child was
conceived by the Holy Spirit, not a human father.
b.
The child is a boy
who will be named Jesus.
c.
Jesus will save the
Jewish people from their sins.
22 Now all this
was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the
prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth
a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God
with us. 24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord
had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25 And knew her not till she had
brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
God promised a Savior
to be born of a woman in Genesis 3:15, at the beginning of human history. The
prophet specified the Virgin Birth and the Incarnation in Isaiah 7:14, but it
did not become a reality until centuries later.
The passage closes by saying that Mary’s special status remained until the birth of Jesus. The Church of Rome and the Eastern Orthodox teach that Mary remained a virgin, but we may assume that they had a normal marriage after the birth of Jesus.
Not much is known about Joseph. Mary outlived him. She appeared at the crucifixion and is named in the Book of Acts. The last two references to Joseph are quoted below.
Joseph in the
New Testament
Luke 2:43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they
returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his
mother knew not of it.
John 6:42 And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of
Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came
down from heaven?
1. Color the picture with Joseph in it.
2. When Joseph heard the good news about Jesus, he was ready to separate from Mary. Then the angel changed his troubled heart with God’s truth. How often have you heard bad news that turned out to be good news? Can God use difficulties to bless us?
3. How would you like to be given the responsibility of raising the Son of God?
4. Were Joseph and Mary without sin? (No.) Did they have great trust in God? (Yes.)