Angel Appears to Joseph

Matthew 1:18–25 NKJV

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. 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. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.

Introduction

The Gospel of Matthew provides a perspective on the birth of Christ unique from what we find in Luke’s Gospel with a focus on Joseph, the ‘step-father’ of Jesus.

In chapter one of Matthew we see the genealogy of Christ. This provides proof that Jesus is indeed of the line of David and the rightful heir to the throne.

Jesus is of the line of David both by adoption and by blood. Both biological and legally for Mary also was of the lineage of David.

As Warren Wiersbe writes, “Genealogies were very important to the Jews, for without them they could not prove their tribal memberships or their rights to inheritances. Anyone claiming to be “the Son of David” had to be able to prove it. It is generally concluded that Matthew gave our Lord’s family tree through His foster father, Joseph, while Luke gave Mary’s lineage.”

In Matthew 1:18-25 we find this focus on Jesus as the rightful King continues with the appearance of the angel to Joseph.

One may feel some sympathy for Joseph. He was a just man that desired to do what is right.

He found himself in a peculiar situation. The women to which he was engaged to be married is pregnant.

Joseph knows that the child is not his, therefore, it is assumed that Mary was unfaithful.

As Joseph contemplates on this, he decided it best to break off the relationship with Mary privately in order to protect her.

It is in this context that the angel of the Lord appears to Joseph and explains how the child within Mary is indeed the long awaited Messiah.

One interesting note is that in the Old Testament the phrase ‘angel of the Lord’ is in fact a theophany, a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ.

In this case in Matthew chapter one, it is difficult to consider the angel as an appearance of the pre-incarnate Christ, for He is already in the womb of Mary in His incarnate form. I believe this is perhaps an issue of translation with the King James.

I do not believe that the angel appearing to Joseph in the dream is a theophany but rather is an angel from the Lord rather than the angel of the Lord.

I. A righteous person lives with self-control

A. He was concerned for his reputation

Joseph was a godly man and he did not want anything to mar his reputation as such.

He desired to live a life that brought glory to God, therefore, his reputation was important to him.

One of the reasons he considered divorcing Mary privately was not only to protect Mary from ridicule and harm, but to also guard his own reputation.

For if he were to proceed with the marriage, it would appear that it was he who fathered the child while in the engagement period.

B. He practiced self-control during Mary’s pregnancy

Knowing the circumstance of Mary’s pregnancy as revealed by the angel, Joseph moved forward with the marriage, yet, did not have sexual relations with Mary until after the birth of Christ due to the importance of such a miraculous birth.

“The self-control of this young couple challenges those today who doubt their ability to control their passions.”

Bombarded with the temptations of the flesh, it is increasingly difficult for young people today to live with such purity as Joseph and Mary did.

If we aspire to live righteously as Joseph did, it behooves us to commit ourselves to self-control.

Joseph and Mary understood that their mission was greater than themselves, therefore, they refrained until the appropriate time.

What is most important to you?

Is the mission to which you are called greater than yourself?

II. A righteous person understands the seriousness of marriage

It is interesting to note that as Joseph is considering divorcing Mary, he is called a righteous man.

According to the customs of the day, Joseph had every right to divorce Mary.

The ‘betrothal’ or ‘engagement’ period was just as serious and binding as the ultimate marriage itself.

C.S. Kenner writes, “Unlike today, Joseph had no option of giving Mary a second chance, even if he wanted to. Jewish and Roman law both demanded that a man divorce his wife if she were guilty of adultery (Keener 1991a:31, 156). Roman law actually treated a husband who failed to divorce an unfaithful wife as a panderer exploiting his wife as a prostitute.”

“Further, Joseph had another reason to divorce her. Because others would assume that Joseph himself must have gotten her pregnant unless he divorced her, his reputation was at stake for the rest of his life.”

“Under these circumstances, Joseph would be righteous in divorcing Mary; to fail to do so would violate law and custom, would bring enduring reproach on his household and would constitute embracing as wife one who had betrayed him in the worst manner conceivable in his culture.”

The fact that Joseph eventually decides to obey the Lord in moving forward with the marriage was a big deal for Joseph.

It meant him going against all that he knew and understood under the law.

Yet, knowing the circumstances surrounding the pregnancy of Mary, Joseph is compelled to do the right thing and take her as his wife.

III. A righteous person tempers justice with compassion

Joseph had every right to divorce Mary and even in his consideration of such action, he was compelled to show compassion toward Mary.

Joseph’s desire to divorce Mary privately was an act of great compassion and love for Mary.

How often do we see churches bring additional shame to someone by publically scorning them.

Friend, we must understand that we are all sinners and apart from the grace of God we would be buried in shame.

The natural consequences of sin brings shame enough.

Who are we to ostracize someone because of their sin?

Are we not to be a people of love and grace and forgiveness?

Should the church not be a safe place where the sinner can come and find grace and love and not condemnation?

Yes, there are consequences that often must be paid, but justice must always be tempered with compassion.

And Oh my friend, I would much rather err on the side of grace!

IV. A righteous person sees his commitment to God of high value

Joseph’s commitment to be obedient to God was far greater than his own honor.

The New American Commentary says that the angel reminds Joseph of his messianic lineage by calling him “son of David.” He commands Joseph not only not to divorce Mary but to go ahead and marry her. The child will therefore legally be Joseph’s son and thus legally son of David.”

Joseph does not hesitate to obey even though he knew the shame he would face in proceeding with the marriage.

“Joseph trusted God enough to obey him. Yet such obedience was costly. Because Joseph married Mary, outsiders would assume that he had gotten Mary pregnant before the wedding. Joseph would remain an object of shame in a society dominated by the value of honor.”

Obedience to God was more important to Joseph than his standing in society.

How often do we find ourselves concerned over what others think of us?

How often do we make decisions that will increase our standing and honor in society?

Sometimes our obedience to God will cost us greatly.

Obedience to God not only creates a risk to our standing in society but also places a target on our backs that attracts ridicule and shame.

Joseph had a high view of God and His commitment to God surpassed all else.

Can the same be said of us?

Do we have such commitment?

Are we obedient to the Lord even when it costs?

Conclusion

As the angel announces to Joseph the conception of Christ we find ourselves going deeper and putting ourselves in the shoes of Joseph.

May we model our lives after one who is righteous, like Joseph.

May we practice self-control, take marriage seriously, temper justice with compassion, and have a high view of God living in obedience to Him in spite of the cost.