Advent Day 10

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21 ESV)

Doing the right thing can be frightening. It can cause all kinds of problems for you. If you have ever done the right thing in a challenging situation, you know it can affect you in various ways.

Joseph’s experience with the angel was quite different from Mary’s. Mary learned of Jesus’ conception before, and Joseph only learned of it after it occurred. The word of the Lord came to them differently for a very good reason. Mary had to know before she conceived. Perhaps, as Sinclair alluded to before, Joseph needed to be tested. There was one common message from the angel: do not be afraid. Mary was afraid because Gabriel awakened her, and she was face to face with an angel of the Lord. Joseph was asleep, so his fear was not an awakened fear but one of possibly grieving God by following his desires and what lay ahead as the father of the Christ.

Joseph was alone. Mary had already left for her cousin Elizabeth’s home. Joseph could not discuss this with anyone. All he had was prayer, and he already knew God’s answer. The angel’s message was clear: continue to trust God and do His will.

Because of the census, both Mary and Joseph would be away from the eyes of their community. Joseph also could not have imagined that strangers from the East would bring gifts to his baby. God, however, is the God of every detail, which will always come to pass as designed. As Christians, we all have this assurance about our life.

To us, Joseph seemed to be a silent man. He did not speak much in the gospels. We all should admire Joseph. He heard God’s word, believed, and obeyed no matter the cost.

Have you ever looked at this from Jesus’ perspective? He knew the plan, and as he grew, he must have spent much time watching just how devoted Joseph was to God. Jesus loved his mother to the end, but he also loved the carpenter who helped raise him and keep him safe. Jesus probably spent time in the workshop with Joseph and undoubtedly heard the psalms from his lips. Perhaps Jesus, too, heard the words of Isaiah, “All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.” (Isaiah 66:2 ESV).

The Lord is omniscient; He knows all things. We should all strive to live like Joseph, coram deo, in God’s presence. Remember, He sees all things and knows what is in the hearts of all humans.

Grace and Peace!

Sinclair Ferguson, The Dawn of Redeeming Grace”, The Goodbook Company, 2021