December 2, 2011

“This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.” Matthew 1:18-25

Jesus became the Savior and Mary is honored as the Mother of the Savior, but Joseph is the most overlooked of the principles in the Christmas story.

However, he deserves his due for his heart. Do you have a “Joseph heart”?

What do I mean by that?

Think for a moment what God asked him to do.

He was to risk his reputation by taking Mary as his wife after she became pregnant. Who would believe her story of how she got pregnant? Would you?

He was asked to delay the consummation of the marriage until after she delivered the Christ. That honeymoon was definitely on hold!

He was commanded to take Mary and the Child and flee to Egypt in the middle of the night to escape Herod. Then he had to stay there until Herod died. What do you think that prolonged absence did for his carpentry business?

Finally, he got to take his bride and baby back home to Nazareth to face the stares, and awkward glances and vicious gossip from his neighbors.

Good guy, eh?
Essentially, here is what God asked of Joseph, “I want you to forget everything you want to do, and do everything I ask you to do, do it immediately, and don’t expect to any of the credit.”

Would you take that deal?

Joseph did! That’s what I mean by a “Joseph heart”.

Do you have a “Joseph heart”?

Can God count on you to do the hard thing? Will you readily surrender those things that you would selfishly desire to do? Will you do it immediately? Will you do it consistently? Will you do it for His glory? Are you willing to make big sacrifices and get little recognition for it?

Joseph did! And because he did we have a Savior!

If you could get a peek at God’s Christmas wish list I bet He is wishing for more men with a “Joseph heart”!