We are going to close out the year by looking at 25 posts on Mary and Joseph for Advent. Part 6: Joseph’s Angel Visit.
Matthew 1:20-21, 24-25 (NLT)
20 As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
24 When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. 25 But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus.
I just love this guy. “As he considered this.” I checked. This is the New Living Translation, but I wanted to see what the other translations said here. The New American Standard says, “But when he had considered this…” The New International Version says, “But after he had considered this…” They all use the word “considered.” I am not sure why I am so hung up on this word, but I feel like it helps paint a picture. This was not an impetuous decision. He did not allow himself to just react out of emotion. He considered this. As much as I have ever considered, contemplated, or wrestled with any decision, that is what Joseph did here. And his ultimate decision was to absorb the cost and still divorce her quietly. This was not a small, insecure, vindictive man. You gave Jesus as an earthly father a man who was able to love and still show mercy amid his pain.
Then the angel appears to Joseph in a dream. I must admit that I had a couple of dreams last night that were pretty vivid and clear. Maybe you were talking to me through them and maybe you weren’t. They were good and affirming dreams. But I do not know if they had gone the other way and told me I was doing the wrong thing if I would have woken up and changed the course of my life. I wonder if Joseph was extra ready to believe the angel because he wanted to believe Mary. The angel told him he believe Mary, and she had not done anything wrong. In fact, quite the opposite. She had done everything so right that you wanted her to be the earthly mother of your son.
We will get into this in future journals about Joseph, but this was not to be an easy path for him. It is probably a good thing he did not know how hard the path would be. If he had known what the future held for himself and Mary, he might have said no. I know I would have. That is why you keep me so ignorant about the future. It is better if I just do not know.
Father, help me to spend more time in “consider” mode. Help me to stop and prayerfully consider my situations more. Speak to me through whatever means you think will reach me. Give me ears to hear, eyes to see, and courage to either act or not act. Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. And please bless the path I am on for your glory. Lead me straight down that path. Do not let me falter.
I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,
Amen
