We often talk about Mary's "Yes" to God, but Joseph's "Yes" was just as critical to God's redemptive plan. Scripture tells us very little about Joseph, except that he was a just man, faithful to the law of God.
Imagine, then, his confusion at finding Mary to be with child. He was betrothed to her, which in Biblical times was as binding as marriage. According to the law, he must divorce her, or he would be seen an breaking the law by having relations with her during the period of engagement. How could this have happened? How could she betray him as he worked to prepare a home for them?
But he was kind as well as just. He did not want to publicly humiliate Mary, though by the law she deserved it. He did not want to be cruel, but he must obey the law. He decided to divorce her privately, though this would leave Mary and her child to live the lives of outcasts to their society. After struggling with what to do, he finally reaches a decision and falls into what I imagine was a fitful sleep.
Then an angel comes to Joseph in a dream, not when he was awake and struggling, but after he had reached his decision. The angel comes to reassure him that Mary had not strayed and that she would bear the Son of God. He is told he must marry her, though that would make him appear to have sinned also.
The brief account of this in Scripture makes it seem so neat and easy. But the reprecussions were immense. He would bear the shame of this child with her. Wouldn't it be easier to just dismiss the dream as nothing more than his unconscious imagination. Then he could go ahead with his kind, yet just plan. After all, it was only a dream.
But Joseph recognized the voice of God in this dream. He says "Yes" in obedience though it would cost him his reputation. He said "Yes" to loving as a father a child that was not of his flesh. He says "Yes" to trusting God and Mary that this is God's Son. Later, he would say "Yes to becoming a refugee, fleeing from Herod with the baby and Mary, once again directed not consciously but in a dream. And he says "Yes" to the fearful, seemingly impossible task of raising the Messiah, his God and King.
How he must have struggled. The life he planned had been turned completely upside down. How he must have been terrified by the implications of his obedience. Yet he says "Yes" and follows through in obedience.
How very different the life of Jesus would have been without the "Yes" of Joseph. This almost forgotten "Yes" had great impact on the future of the Messiah. Joseph says "Yes" and then disappears.
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