Joseph's Dilemma
Christmas '23 • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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History-Altering Decisions
History-Altering Decisions
Many decisions have been made throughout history that have altered the course of lives of more than just the decision-maker.
Some decision-makers are famous, some obscure. But we experience the ramifications of their decisions still today.
For instance:
MLK. When was preparing for his famous speech on the mall in Washington, DC; he stayed up late the night before wrestling w/ his MS. He knew this had the potential to alter the course of the civil rights movement and the race-relations throughout the US.
He stepped to the podium to deliver this speech. At one point he paused for, what seemed like dramatic effect, but in reality he was still searching for the right words to say. He knew he still hadn’t formulated the words or phrase that would capture America.
From behind him, Mahalia Jackson yelled out, “Tell them about the Dream, Martin.”
He went on to say, “I say to you, my friends, even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream.”
The words, “I have a dream,” were not in his original MS. But his impromptu decision to speak of the cuff, led to the words that did change the course of civil rights in this country.
Theodore Roosevelt. On Oct. 14, 1912 he had prepared a campaign speech. The MS was 50-pages long. He had folded it in half and put it in the breast pocket of his overcoat. A would-be assassin shot him point blank in the chest. But the bullet got caught up in the pages of the MS and saved his life. It still entered his chest. But shallow enough that it did not enter his lung. He still delivered the speech before heading to the hospital for treatment. His decision to fold his MS and put it in that pocket saved his life and this country from the chaos of another presidential assassination.
So you remember the movie, “War Games?” It came out in 1983. Matthew Broderick played the role of a teenage gamer. He was trying to find a computer game company to hack into. But, instead, he ended up hacking into the computer of an early AI scientist and correctly guesses his password to get into his game simulations, including one that was titled, “Global Thermonuclear War.” He initiated the game.
Turned out, it wasn’t a game. It was tied into the US NORAD defense system. And, w/ the game launched, it appeared that the Soviets had launched an all-out nuclear attack on the US. Our military responded and prepared to counter attack w/ our own nukes.
The Soviets had not actually launched. If we had countered, it would have initiated the global thermonuclear war. What appeared to be a game was a simulation to prove no one would win a nuclear war.
That almost happened in real life. Same year, 1983. Stanislav Petrov was Lt. in the Soviet Air Defense Force. Working an overnight shift September when his computer showed that 5 US nuclear missiles were headed toward his country. But something didn’t seem right. Why only 5 missiles?
He checked his computer, and it turned out to be a malfunction. Had he decided to immediately report what his computer showed, and the Soviets counter-attacked, it would have resulted in and all-out global nuclear war and we wouldn’t be here today.
Decisions get made, sometimes off the cuff, sometimes w/out thinking, and sometimes by following a feeling. And these decisions can change the course of history, or prevent the course change.
There is one player in the Xmas story who faced a dilemma and had to make some tough decisions. These are the kind of decisions you wouldn’t wish on anyone. They were history-changing, life-altering and life-giving decisions at that time. And these decisions still affects us today in what we believe about Jesus, our Savior.
Joseph faced a dilemma. He made tough some tough choices that cost him a great deal. But, they were the right thing to do. It turns out he was helped by Jesus to make the right choices about Jesus.
When we make the right choices, even the tough choices about Jesus, we will be helped by Jesus and make a positive impact on the future of our family and community.
This is Joseph’s story in the Xmas story. It comes from Matthew 1. There are a number of players in the Xmas story. We know a lot more about most of them. But, what do we know about Joseph? Not much.
Joseph
Joseph
Think about some of the players in this story. The figurines in the nativity.
Obviously, there’s Jesus. And, Mary.
Shepherds. Magi, usually 3. Angels, one big one, then a whole host. Which is a lot. There might be a star.
There’s Herod, the antagonist. An Innkeeper, who was kind to offer the young couple space in the barn.
There’s a donkey, usually a camel and a sheep or 2 from the shepherds. Maybe a cow.
And, then there’s Joseph. He’s kind of the forgotten man in the story. He gets lost in Mary’s shadow.
He has a role here, at Jesus’ birth. Then, the next time he’s mentioned, and last time he’s mentioned, is when Jesus was 12 and they traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover. The extended family had begun their journey back to Nazareth and had been gone a day when they realized Jesus was not with them. He stayed in Jerusalem to interact w/ the priests at the temple.
After that, we just don’t know. Traditional assumption is he died sometime before Jesus became an adult. But, we have no details.
We know his father was named Jacob. He was a descendant of King David by his son, Solomon. This is in Matthew’s ancestry of Jesus. Luke’s is different. But Luke traces Mary’s ancestry. She is also a descendant of David by his son, Nathan.
Remember though, Joseph did not contribute to Jesus’ conception. But both parents were necessary for Jesus to fulfill his role as King of God’s Kingdom, however.
Mary made Jesus fully human. She made Him the spiritual and genetic heir to David’s throne.
But, daughters could not inherit any of their father’s estate. So, Joseph, as Jesus’ adoptive step-father, made Jesus the legal heir to David’s throne.
We know that Joseph was from Nazareth. But his family home was in Bethlehem. Thus, the 100-mile trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem that fulfilled the prophecy about Jesus being born in Bethlehem.
Beth means city. Lehem, of bread. So, Bethlehem is the city where the bread comes from.
Imagine the journey, 9 months pregnant, on a donkey, up rugged terrain, like from Anthem to MP.
We know Joseph was a poor carpenter. We know he was poor b/c when they presented Jesus at the temple to be circumcised, they did not provide a lamb b/c they could not afford one. They provided 2 birds.
He was a devout keeper of the law, practicing Jew. And he was likely in his late 20s or early 30s. Men married later than women. Mary was probably a teenager, in her mid to late teens.
This sets the stage for the toughest set of decisions Joseph ever had to make in his life. Try to place yourself in his sandals at the time and consider his dilemma.
Joseph’s Dilemma
Joseph’s Dilemma
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.
We don’t know how he found out. Did Mary tell him? How would that convo had gone? Was it her dad? His dad? A friend? We just don’t know.
The pledge to be married was the arrangement by both their parents. They would have come to a contractual agreement whether the children were involved or not.
That agreement began the 1-year betrothal period. We sometimes compare that to our engagement. But, the 2 are different. Mary and Joseph were considered married during this time. But, they did not live together nor had the consummated the marriage.
The year would give the couple the opportunity to get to know each other and decide to love each other.
In our culture, we fall in love then get engaged and married. In their culture, their parents make the arrangement, they are considered married. Then, they fall in love.
The only way to end the relationship during this period is a formal divorce.
However he finds out, he discovers his bride is pregnant. And he knows he’s not the father. What do you suppose would have swirling around his mind? And, the emotions engulfing his heart.
When Zechariah heard from the angel Gabriel that his wife would conceive in her old age, he celebrated it, albeit silently. That is, once his faith caught up w/ his mind.
But, Joseph would have been devastated. Heart-broken. Irate. Frustrated. Confused. Embarrassed. Shame. Disappointed.
It appeared Mary did not keep her commitment to him.
It happened. Girl have their own plans, dreams, ideas about who they’d like to marry. Parents make arrangements, and rebels rebel. That didn’t sound like Mary. But, she would not have been the first.
What story did Joseph hear, if any? An angel? The HS? God’s son? How believable is that?!
I’m sure we all heard some pretty wild stories from our kids when they got caught w/ their hands in the proverbial cookie jar. How believable that the cookie jumped into their hand and what were they supposed to do w/ it once they touched it? They couldn’t put it back.
So, what options did he have?
It was inconceivable to marry a woman who had conceived w/ another during the betrothal period. No self-respecting man would follow thru w/ that marriage. If any respect at all, then the other man would step up and do the right thing. But, the young woman’s father would have a say in that.
Either way, legally, the betrothed husband had an out.
First, he could publicly divorce her. This would involve a judge and public testimony. She would be disgraced, humiliated.
If, however, the charge is true and no proof of the young woman’s virginity can be found, she shall be brought to the door of her father’s house and there the men of her town shall stone her to death. She has done an outrageous thing in Israel by being promiscuous while still in her father’s house. You must purge the evil from among you.
Joseph was a devout keeper of the law. This penalty was in play for him. Mary could legally be stoned to death. Her death would dissolve their marriage freeing him to marry again.
But then, the obvious implications for us, if God were to allow this to happen. If Mary died, then her baby would die, too. No Jesus. No Xmas. No crux. No res. No ascension. No Savior. No salvation for us.
God obviously was not going to allow that to happen. But that still was a legitimate choice for Joseph.
But, he still loved her. Heart-broken, yes. But still in love. So, there was a 2nd option.
Second, he could divorce her quietly. This would involve a certificate of divorce presented to her in person in the presence of 2 witnesses. This would dissolve the marriage, allowing Joseph to remarry.
Mary, however, would have face a much tougher time. This would have been devastating for her.
A woman, single mom or not, was not allowed to have a job, earn a salary, or own property. She could not have found a way to legitimately support herself and her baby.
She would have begged her father to keep her and her baby in his home, or a brother. Otherwise, no other man would marry her. Her only options would have been to become a beggar or prostitute. Mary was known as a righteous young woman. So, prostitution was out of her question.
The entire community would have known. Still humiliated, devastated, and alone.
So, she would have been sentenced to a life of destitution w/ her baby.
Not a great choice for Joseph. But, he considered this to be his best choice for his future.
Joseph had a 3rd option, but he did not consider it until God got involved and spoke to him thru and angel in a dream. We don’t know if it was the same angel that spoke to Mary. But, he was as effective in getting God’s message across.
Joseph’s Sweet Dream
Joseph’s Sweet Dream
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”).
He likely would have prayed about this. He would have struggled w/ it. But he believed option #2 to be his best option. The Greek word for “consider” means believe. He believed this to be his best and the right option, as difficult as it would be for everyone.
More about Mary next week, but when Gabriel appeared to her, he did not give her a choice. He said, “you are going to conceive and give birth to a son.”
Her choice had been made as a little girl to live her life for God. She was righteous. That’s why she was chosen by God to be the mother of his child.
Joseph had a choice. Several, in fact. He believed he had made the first one and had settled it in his mind what he would do.
Then, he slept on it. Many advisors would tell you before you pull the trigger on a big decision, sleep on it. Let some time pass. If you still feel the same way, then go for it. But time may change your mind and appropriately so.
He love Mary. So, when the angel spoke to him, he gave him a 3rd option. He could follow thru w/ his commitment and marry, Mary. Blend the family. Raise Jesus as his own son. The best step-dads do the best job of this.
But then, think of the cost to him. It may have brought some relief. But, it also brought a lot more w/ it.
The angel explained the situ, the circumstances of Mary’s pregnancy, and presented Joseph w/ his 3rd option. I’m sure Joseph had already thought about this and dismissed it quickly. But soon he reconsidered.
If he was insecure at all about his position in society, this would have exacerbated it. A poor carpenter. Among the lowest rungs on the societal ladder. Socio-economically challenged. He could not provide many of the earthly creature comforts others in town could for their family.
Looked down upon by those on higher rungs of that ladder. One more reason to ridicule him.
He married a woman who was carrying another’s child?! No self-respect.
How would Joseph raise this child? Provide for this child? Educate and discipline this child? One appearance to the community would have been that the other father story could have been a ruse to protect Joseph. Maybe he was the father all along. A man w/ no self-control over his primal, fleshly desires. Sure, he talked a good game about being a God-fearing and faithful man. But, he would not be the first to talk a good God-game but secretly live an immoral lifestyle w/ his fiance.
He would be viewed a fool by everyone in town and the surrounding area whether the child was his or not.
And, what would this do to his business? The gossip and assumptions would run wild. How could anyone do business w/ a man who lacked self-discipline, self-control, and self-respect. Each of these contribute heavily to his craft and doing a good job for a fair price.
But, in reality he had great self-control. He was a man w/ great faith and a strong desire to do right by God and his young bride.
When the angel spoke to him, it brought to mind what he had been taught since he was a little boy about one of the signs that Messiah had come.
He would have remembered from his Sunday School days, Vacation Bible schools, and his parents teaching around their dinner table.
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
At some point do you think he would have complained to God just a little, in a completely vulnerable and honest lament, “Why my virgin?”
But, he got it. Messiah had to be conceived by a virgin. And, for that to happen, God would have to be the Father, not him.
He would get to have a front row seat to the greatest miracle to date. Greater than the Ark, the plagues, the PL, Jericho, and rebuilding of the city.
It’s one thing to decide to do it. But then you’ve got to do it. When he did it, all his fears came true. But when he made his decision about Jesus and followed thru w/ it, Jesus helped him and peace overwhelmed his fear.
Joseph’s Obedience
Joseph’s Obedience
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.
Maybe most men w/ no self-respect would do this. They would put this one away and choose another.
But Joseph had great respect for God and who God created Him to be. God gave an ID that included being Mary’s husband and Jesus’ step-dad.
How would it all work out? He didn’t know. But, by faith he stepped out and started down that path. Immediately.
The second big decision he made came right away. He took Mary home, into his home. He did not wait out the rest of the year of the betrothal period. He took her home and took care of her.
Whatever humiliation, public scorn they faced, they would face it together.
By doing this, he protected Mary’s reputation and even her life.
He protected the truth of the virgin conception and virgin birth. They did not consummate their marriage until after Jesus was born to make sure there was no confusion about this important doctrinal issue.
And when he named the child Jesus, he confirmed his commitment to raise the child as his own. When a father declares the child’s name he is declaring his intent to raise that child and provide for him.
There are no Jesuses in Joseph’s family line. A son would be named for one of the males in their ancestry. Jesus wasn’t named for any of Joseph’s male family members. He was named for God’s family member. The OT version of Jesus, is Joshua. Joshua delivered Israel into their PL. And Jesus will deliver us into our PL.
By giving Him this name, Joseph was also declaring his belief that Jesus is fully human as the son of Mary. And he is fully divine as the son of God.
Joseph took this all by faith. He did not challenge the angel’s words. Nor did he question the calling God placed on his life. He did exactly what God called him to do. Raise Jesus as his own son.
Imagine being chosen by God to parent his son. Every parent has their own insecurities. Imagine being compared to God and His parenting skills.
I’m sure Joseph had his questions, even if he kept them to himself. Is Jesus worth what this will cost me? Can I do this? Can God do this?
His reputation in the community would have been trashed. But his response to it was private, and strong. Who really knew the whole truth at that time? Assumptions were made. Gossip was shared.
A weaker man would have crumbled under the pressure. But Joseph stood strong.
Surely there were times when he wanted to stand up and scream at the top of his lungs about his merciful and gracious actions toward Mary. But he never did. Nobody outside of his own family would have listened nor believed it, anyway.
If he suffered, he did so in silence and solitude. But celebrated in private with his wife.
He trusted God, he had the faith to do the right thing, even though it was a hard thing.
At first he was vilified. Later, he is vindicated. Whatever the ppl thought that day, here we are at Xmas 2023 reading the story about Joseph privately setting his own interest aside and looking out for Mary, Jesus, you and me; and even all the ppl who ridiculed him that day.
He contributed to making it possible for Jesus to die for all of us, all of them.
When the angel appeared to the shepherds when Jesus was born, he declared:
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Paul later would right this in his letter to the Philippians:
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
No doubt Joseph had this peace in his heart at that time. By making the decisions to protect and provide for Jesus, Jesus helped him make those decisions and follow thru w/ them.
Joseph, the forgotten man in the nativity. Found the ability to do the right thing, make the right choices even thought they were the hard choices.
He was strong when he could have been weak.
He was brave when he could have been cowardly.
He was at peace when he could have been afraid.
He was tender when he could have been harsh.
He was thoughtful when he could have been hasty.
He was trusting when he could have doubted.
He was temperate when he could have indulged himself.
There is only 1 application today, again.
Since Joseph did what he did, we know we can do whatever we need to do. You think you’re facing a tough decision. Imagine being in Joseph’s sandals.
He faced an incredible dilemma. He had to make some tough choices. Doing right cost him a great deal and he did it anyway.
We can make the right choices, too. Even when they are hard. Doing right will leave a lasting legacy on your family and in this community. You can do right by Jesus. And He will help you do it.