Rev. David Holwick
First Baptist Church
Ledgewood, New Jersey
Christmas Eve, 1989
Matthew 1:19-25
MARY'S HUSBAND, JOSEPH
I. Little is said about Joseph.
A. Mary gets most of the attention.
1) Joseph is on sideline, like most fathers at a birth.
a) "Fifth wheel."
2) After the birth and early years, he is rarely mentioned.
B. He is not even the "real father."
1) Joseph is never called the father of Jesus.
a) He is called his "parent" with Mary in Luke 2:41.
2) Joseph must have been special to fulfill this role.
II. What Joseph was like.
A. A godly man.
1) Mary, "highly favored", must have had a spiritual husband.
2) He obeyed God.
a) God told him to name baby "Jesus", and he obeyed.
b) Three commands, obeyed each time.
3) He followed religious practices.
a) He presented his son for dedication. Luke 2:24
b) He took his family to Jerusalem for passover every year.
4) He did not follow his own feelings, but God's.
B. Law-Abiding.
1) Joseph was poor - paid birth price with a dove, not a
lamb. Luke 2:24
2) Rome was a wicked government, demanded taxes.
a) Joseph went to Bethlehem to pay his taxes.
1> This follows ancient custom.
2> It fulfilled prophecy. Micah 5:2
C. Courageous.
1) He defied King Herod and fled to Egypt. Matt 2:13-15
a) They returned to Nazareth, fulfilling prophecy. Matt 2:23
2) He stood up to public scorn.
a) Jewish opponents insinuated Jesus was illegitimate.
D. Loving and unselfish.
1) Engagement was binding, requiring divorce. Mat 1:19
a) He chose to divorce her quietly, to spare her.
1> He could have had Mary stoned. John 8
b) But the angel intervened, and Joseph obeyed.
2) He was present at the birth and upbringing of Jesus.
a) He accepted Jesus as his own son.
1> He taught him his trade of carpentry.
III. Joseph's son.
A. Joseph died before Jesus was crucified.
1) He is not mentioned after Jesus is 12 years old.
2) Jesus asked the disciple John to take care of Mary.
B. Importance: Genealogy.
1) Fulfillment of prophecies of Jesus as "Son of David."
2) Jesus is light of the world.
IV. Our response.
A. We are not called to save the world.
B. We are called to be faithful, like Joseph.
