Before we dig into the text for today, I want to try to give you some idea of the setting for the events. What we now think of as first century Israel was not even called Israel. The rulers--the Romans--referred to it as Palestine. Although the Romans allowed limited self-rule, they were the final authority in everything. They were even the final authority with regard to the temple. You have all heard of the Pharisees and the Sadducees. The Pharisees were the ones Jesus gave all the grief to about how strict they were with the Law. While we think of them as being the most important group amongst the Jews of Jesus time. The Sadducees were the ones in charge of the temple. They held to a much older interpretation of the Law. They did not believe in angels or the resurrection.
Now let’s go from there to think about Joseph. Joseph was a man who simply wanted to get his work done and take care of his budding family. We know from modern reports about war and civil strife that most people simply want to be left alone to raise their children in safety. Let the politicians settle things. Joseph like so many people today, lived in a place and time of civil and religious tension. Like so many people today and throughout the centuries, Joseph hoped and prayed for G-d to step in and solve the problem. Like so many people today, Joseph did not plan on being part of G-d’s deliverance of G-d’s people.
Let’s look now to the Gospel reading for today:
Matthew 1:18-25
Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took pace in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do 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 as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: "Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel," which means, "God is with us." When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.
The word of G-d for the people of G-d. (Thanks be to G-d).
The first attribute of Joseph's character that leaps off the page for me is that Joseph went beyond acting justly to acting righteously. Until the story got out years later, only two people knew the truth about Jesus’ birth. Joseph knew he was not the father and Mary knew she had had a vision about the baby being born of the Spirit of G-d. My guess is that their home town at the time was not much different than any other small town. Some girls went to visit family out of town for a while. What people did not know publicly, they could only guess at privately. Luke gives us a glimpse of Mary visiting a distant cousin, Elizabeth.
At some point in the process Joseph decided he could not look the other way. As much as he loved Mary, he knew the truth; the baby was not his. He began to think about acting justly. A man who was more concerned about his damaged pride than the life of his intended could have spoken up and no one would have blamed him. Some would congratulate him for upholding the community standards. Some would be the first in line to shake his hand and help him find an honest maiden to take the place of the harlot. Some would be first in line to pick up a stone to send the loose woman to the early grave her behavior merited. Joseph, on the other hand planned to be first in line to send Mary quietly away so that each could start a new life and forget the mistakes of the past.
At about this point, G-d decides to get into Joseph’s business. Matthew records the conversation one way. I can imagine it going a little differently:
G: Joseph, Hey, Joe. Wake up. I need to chat for a few.
J: Huh, who's that?
G: Joe, you know me well. We talk all the time. You talk to me; I listen.
J: But I don’t see you anywhere.
G: Look inside.
J: Huh?
G: You have been talking to me for years about how you and your people are under the thumb of the Romans. “Oh, Lord our G-d, pray pray for the peace of Jerusalem. We pray you would deliver us as you did our fathers from the land of Egypt. Almighty and Most …
J: Wait a minute, you are the LORD? -- I’m dead.
G: Well yes and yes, but not today. Yes, I am the LORD today, but you are not dead today. You get to be part of the answer to your prayers, you and you lovely bride Mary. All that “nonsense” about her baby being of the Spirit, right on the mark.
J: LORD, I …
G: Joseph, your turn to listen. You and Mary are to take care of a very special child and raise him in the way that leads to life eternal. Teach him about Me. Teach him about life. Teach him to stand up for the least of these. Oh, by the way, he should have a name that points back to his calling. Call him Jesus.
Once he got over being tongue-tied, Jesus Dad could have talked with the Father on into the night about how his life would bring, joy, challenge, sorrow and celebration.
Joseph not only believed, he behaved. Here is a second trait of his that stands out; he was willing to put his beliefs into action. There is a chasm between “Yes, G-d, that’s a great idea” and “Not my will, O Lord, but yours be done.” Let’s forget for a moment all the speculation about scandal and Jesus birth. We know Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the temple to be dedicated. We know two prophets are recorded speaking over Jesus. We know Jesus was not in a rich family owing to the sacrifice given at his birth -- a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. This was the alternate offering for those who could not afford a lamb. Had Mary been marked with scandal, she would not have been allowed entry even the outer courts of the temple. Joseph could not have taken Jesus to the temple as his son if Joseph had any doubt as to the true nature of the child he called his own. It’s one thing to accept the congratulations of his neighbors about his new born but quite another thing to stand in the dwelling place of the living G-d and offer this child as his son. Joseph lived out his belief in real and powerful ways. Had he a shred of doubt about the nature of G-d's grace in their lives, Mary and Joseph would not have been Mary and Joseph.
I want to leave Joseph for a few minutes and take up another of the texts for today.
Isaiah 7:10-16
Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz, saying, Ask a sign of the LORD your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven. But Ahaz said, I will not ask, and I will not put the LORD to the test. Then Isaiah said: "Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted.
Notice that phrase we heard in the earlier passage: the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. In this passage the prophecy is for the near term not some future messiah. Ahaz was in a bit of a pickle. He had a situation not unlike Joseph’s. He was facing a group of foreign conquerors. His problems were bigger than Joseph’s because Ahaz was the king. Isaiah as the prophet of G-d came with an offer. Ahaz was king of Judah, the southern kingdom. The kings of Israel and Syria ganged up to conquer poor little Judah. Ahaz looked everywhere but to the LORD for help. When Isaiah came to him to offer help, he was much like the voice of G-d in the vision of Joseph’s. G-d offered help and Ahaz, although he may have sounded humble, basically turned G-d down flat. Hear Isaiah’s tone in reply, “Is it too little that you weary mortals, that you weary my God also?” Ouch! Ahaz does not need a sign from G-d because he just does not need G-d.
In response to Ahaz’ total rejection of G-d’s offer and of G-d’s power and presence, Isaiah points to a young woman and states quite clearly that before her child reaches the age of discernment, the threats currently facing Ahaz will disappear. Isaiah could just as well have said, “See that woman. She will have a child soon and her son will be a daily reminder that you turned your back on the LORD.”
We do not know if Joseph lived to see Jesus’ death and resurrection. We do know that Joseph is not mentioned during the recounting of Jesus’ ministry years. Had be lived to see the day, he would have been able to celebrate his son was a daily reminder to all that Joseph had not turned his back on G-d. In fact, Jesus is a daily reminder that G-d has not turned his back on us either.
So long ago, when G-d decided to step into the limitations of time and space, G-d knew that the entire human race waited in hope for a day when all humankind would no longer live in a land dominated by foreign powers, powers of hatred, greed, strife and indifference. Regardless who rules our lands and who writes the laws, G-d has found a way rule in out hearts. Now do not think for one moment that I think G-d is any less concerned about our lands being governed justly, G-d does, but lands are ruled justly when G-d rules in the hearts of the people. My prayer for this Christmas is the same as the message I see in the two Immanuels. I pray that people all over the globe would join together this Christmas with Joseph and believe G-d when life’s impossible challenges come. I pray that like Joseph, we would trust G-d’s word enough for that belief to change how we live and move and have our being.
Charles Wesley had much the same prayer is this poem that someone later paired to a familiar hymn tune. And with that we close:
Come thou long-expected Jesus, Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us, Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel's strength and consolation, Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear Desire of every nation, Joy of every longing heart.
Born Thy people to deliver, Born a Child and yet a King.
Born to reign in us for ever, Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all-sufficient merit Raise us to Thy glorious throne.
Now let’s go from there to think about Joseph. Joseph was a man who simply wanted to get his work done and take care of his budding family. We know from modern reports about war and civil strife that most people simply want to be left alone to raise their children in safety. Let the politicians settle things. Joseph like so many people today, lived in a place and time of civil and religious tension. Like so many people today and throughout the centuries, Joseph hoped and prayed for G-d to step in and solve the problem. Like so many people today, Joseph did not plan on being part of G-d’s deliverance of G-d’s people.
Let’s look now to the Gospel reading for today:
Matthew 1:18-25
Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took pace in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do 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 as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: "Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel," which means, "God is with us." When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.
The word of G-d for the people of G-d. (Thanks be to G-d).
The first attribute of Joseph's character that leaps off the page for me is that Joseph went beyond acting justly to acting righteously. Until the story got out years later, only two people knew the truth about Jesus’ birth. Joseph knew he was not the father and Mary knew she had had a vision about the baby being born of the Spirit of G-d. My guess is that their home town at the time was not much different than any other small town. Some girls went to visit family out of town for a while. What people did not know publicly, they could only guess at privately. Luke gives us a glimpse of Mary visiting a distant cousin, Elizabeth.
At some point in the process Joseph decided he could not look the other way. As much as he loved Mary, he knew the truth; the baby was not his. He began to think about acting justly. A man who was more concerned about his damaged pride than the life of his intended could have spoken up and no one would have blamed him. Some would congratulate him for upholding the community standards. Some would be the first in line to shake his hand and help him find an honest maiden to take the place of the harlot. Some would be first in line to pick up a stone to send the loose woman to the early grave her behavior merited. Joseph, on the other hand planned to be first in line to send Mary quietly away so that each could start a new life and forget the mistakes of the past.
At about this point, G-d decides to get into Joseph’s business. Matthew records the conversation one way. I can imagine it going a little differently:
G: Joseph, Hey, Joe. Wake up. I need to chat for a few.
J: Huh, who's that?
G: Joe, you know me well. We talk all the time. You talk to me; I listen.
J: But I don’t see you anywhere.
G: Look inside.
J: Huh?
G: You have been talking to me for years about how you and your people are under the thumb of the Romans. “Oh, Lord our G-d, pray pray for the peace of Jerusalem. We pray you would deliver us as you did our fathers from the land of Egypt. Almighty and Most …
J: Wait a minute, you are the LORD? -- I’m dead.
G: Well yes and yes, but not today. Yes, I am the LORD today, but you are not dead today. You get to be part of the answer to your prayers, you and you lovely bride Mary. All that “nonsense” about her baby being of the Spirit, right on the mark.
J: LORD, I …
G: Joseph, your turn to listen. You and Mary are to take care of a very special child and raise him in the way that leads to life eternal. Teach him about Me. Teach him about life. Teach him to stand up for the least of these. Oh, by the way, he should have a name that points back to his calling. Call him Jesus.
Once he got over being tongue-tied, Jesus Dad could have talked with the Father on into the night about how his life would bring, joy, challenge, sorrow and celebration.
Joseph not only believed, he behaved. Here is a second trait of his that stands out; he was willing to put his beliefs into action. There is a chasm between “Yes, G-d, that’s a great idea” and “Not my will, O Lord, but yours be done.” Let’s forget for a moment all the speculation about scandal and Jesus birth. We know Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the temple to be dedicated. We know two prophets are recorded speaking over Jesus. We know Jesus was not in a rich family owing to the sacrifice given at his birth -- a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. This was the alternate offering for those who could not afford a lamb. Had Mary been marked with scandal, she would not have been allowed entry even the outer courts of the temple. Joseph could not have taken Jesus to the temple as his son if Joseph had any doubt as to the true nature of the child he called his own. It’s one thing to accept the congratulations of his neighbors about his new born but quite another thing to stand in the dwelling place of the living G-d and offer this child as his son. Joseph lived out his belief in real and powerful ways. Had he a shred of doubt about the nature of G-d's grace in their lives, Mary and Joseph would not have been Mary and Joseph.
I want to leave Joseph for a few minutes and take up another of the texts for today.
Isaiah 7:10-16
Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz, saying, Ask a sign of the LORD your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven. But Ahaz said, I will not ask, and I will not put the LORD to the test. Then Isaiah said: "Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted.
Notice that phrase we heard in the earlier passage: the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. In this passage the prophecy is for the near term not some future messiah. Ahaz was in a bit of a pickle. He had a situation not unlike Joseph’s. He was facing a group of foreign conquerors. His problems were bigger than Joseph’s because Ahaz was the king. Isaiah as the prophet of G-d came with an offer. Ahaz was king of Judah, the southern kingdom. The kings of Israel and Syria ganged up to conquer poor little Judah. Ahaz looked everywhere but to the LORD for help. When Isaiah came to him to offer help, he was much like the voice of G-d in the vision of Joseph’s. G-d offered help and Ahaz, although he may have sounded humble, basically turned G-d down flat. Hear Isaiah’s tone in reply, “Is it too little that you weary mortals, that you weary my God also?” Ouch! Ahaz does not need a sign from G-d because he just does not need G-d.
In response to Ahaz’ total rejection of G-d’s offer and of G-d’s power and presence, Isaiah points to a young woman and states quite clearly that before her child reaches the age of discernment, the threats currently facing Ahaz will disappear. Isaiah could just as well have said, “See that woman. She will have a child soon and her son will be a daily reminder that you turned your back on the LORD.”
We do not know if Joseph lived to see Jesus’ death and resurrection. We do know that Joseph is not mentioned during the recounting of Jesus’ ministry years. Had be lived to see the day, he would have been able to celebrate his son was a daily reminder to all that Joseph had not turned his back on G-d. In fact, Jesus is a daily reminder that G-d has not turned his back on us either.
So long ago, when G-d decided to step into the limitations of time and space, G-d knew that the entire human race waited in hope for a day when all humankind would no longer live in a land dominated by foreign powers, powers of hatred, greed, strife and indifference. Regardless who rules our lands and who writes the laws, G-d has found a way rule in out hearts. Now do not think for one moment that I think G-d is any less concerned about our lands being governed justly, G-d does, but lands are ruled justly when G-d rules in the hearts of the people. My prayer for this Christmas is the same as the message I see in the two Immanuels. I pray that people all over the globe would join together this Christmas with Joseph and believe G-d when life’s impossible challenges come. I pray that like Joseph, we would trust G-d’s word enough for that belief to change how we live and move and have our being.
Charles Wesley had much the same prayer is this poem that someone later paired to a familiar hymn tune. And with that we close:
Come thou long-expected Jesus, Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us, Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel's strength and consolation, Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear Desire of every nation, Joy of every longing heart.
Born Thy people to deliver, Born a Child and yet a King.
Born to reign in us for ever, Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all-sufficient merit Raise us to Thy glorious throne.
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