24. And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife, 25. but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he named Him Jesus.
Joseph heard from God and immediately took Mary as his wife, but that wasn’t all. Obedient to the law of the land, he takes his obligation to be enrolled for taxes at the time Mary is to be delivered. Bravely he worked out an arrangement when there was no other room. He found a corner of a stable the birthplace of the Son of God.
A name would be given this baby on the eighth day at the rite of circumcision. He had divine leading when naming the child, perhaps he had repeated the angel’s message word for word. “Call his name Jesus for he shall save his people from their sins.”
There was another time when the angel spoke to him. It was concerning leaving the area and going to Egypt for Herod was searching for the Child to destroy Him. Joseph’s obedience was immediate. He was willing to make any personal sacrifice to see this very special child have the protection of His earthly father.
Joseph obeyed the word of God, whether written in the laws of Moses or uttered in dreams by angels. He obeyed and in obedience made a marriage where there might have been divorce. Obedience saved his son from Herod’s hatred. Joseph’s obedience took him to Egypt and then again to the security of Nazareth, where he shaped the daily life of his family by his offerings, sacrifices and keeping of feasts(his worship) and providing for them.
All we know of Joseph were the things he did and were done to him. We never have any Biblical record of words spoken by Joseph. Most people involved in the events of the nativity talked. They sang and chattered and expostulated. Everyone; kings, priests, scribes, relatives, neighbors, even the shepherds, but not Joseph. He didn’t talk. He obeyed. Silently and steadfastly he acted. He served.
Joseph and Mary and Jesus took a trip. In Luke 2 we are told of this one trip when Jesus was 12. The little family traveled with other family members from Nazareth to Jerusalem. All was well. They went to celebrate the Passover. Joseph saw to it that his family worshipped God. He went to those gathered worship times. Luke 2:41 says “And his parents used to go to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.” We discover that Joseph came with Mary every year to Passover. He went not only out of duty, but also out of devotion to his God. That is what piety is. It is reverence for God - to be devout. The carrying out of religious duty and faith.
Application: Walk in obedience.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for this message of Joseph's silent obedience. May I do the same in everything, especially in my worship.
