Tough Decisions

Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” 

Matthew 1:19-21

Put yourself in Joseph’s place for a moment and consider the very difficult decision he had to make.

This verse tells us that Joseph was a just man. He loved Mary, and like her, was looking forward to embarking on a wonderful life together with their upcoming marriage. And then, she came to him, telling him that she was pregnant with the Son of God.

What must he have been thinking? Did she commit adultery? Is she going crazy? Is this some kind of trick to get out of the marriage?  There could have been so many ways that he could have reacted. Anger, wanting to expose her for infidelity, wanting to get revenge for embarrassing him.

But, Joseph didn’t want to make her a public example. He knew the Levitical Law, which would call for her to be stoned for seeming to have committed adultery, and he didn’t want this for the one he loved. Joseph was willing to sacrifice his reputation, his future, maybe even his fleshly desire for justice, in order that his bride would be spared.

This graciousness is such a beautiful example of the love that the Lord has for us. He wants to protect us from the law of sin and death, and the only way is for there to be a perfect sacrifice that can cover over our sin. And so, He sent His Son as that sacrifice, that we might be one with God.

“For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.” (Hebrews 10:14)

But that is not the end of the story for Joseph. In wanting to do the right thing for Mary, he was considering what to do when the Lord stepped in. Through a dream, the angel of the Lord explained everything to Joseph and showed him the way to go. This is the perfect way of our Lord, always guiding our steps for His perfect plan to be fulfilled, protecting us from unrighteousness, and caring for us, that we might have His best for our lives. 

And Joseph listened to the Lord. Verse 24 of this same chapter tells us that Joseph woke up and took Mary as his wife. It seems that he wasted no time in obeying.

When we listen for the words of the Lord and follow His guidance, we will be blessed beyond anything we can imagine. Just look at Joseph: His obedience gave him the blessed right to be the earthly father of the Baby Jesus, who came to take away the sins of the world.