Faithful and Righteous

To Matthew, Joseph was central to the story of the birth of Jesus. In his account, Joseph was referred to more often than Mary. It was Joseph who was praised for “being a righteous man.” Joseph faced the challenge of how to react when he learned that Mary was found pregnant. Joseph did not want “to disgrace her.” Joseph, thinking about the best way to treat Mary, “planned to send her away secretly.”

It was Joseph to whom God sent an angel who told him in a dream, “Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit” (v. 20).

The Bible tells us that Joseph was a “righteous man,” interested in doing the right thing (v. 19). Society expected him to be horrified that his bride-to-be was pregnant, but he was willing to stand up to pressure and make sure that she was not “disgraced.” He was a man of compassion and courage, willing to do what he felt was right.

He was spiritually sensitive, correctly discerning the message he received in a dream. He was focused on God’s call and on completing his mission.

Today, Joseph provides a model for the kind of person who can be used by God. Think about his example, and ask God to use you, like Joseph.