Matthew 1:24-25 (ESV)
When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded
him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And
he called his name Jesus.
Not much is known about Joseph.
But we know at least two things from these verses. He genuinely loved his wife,
and he quickly obeyed God. When Mary was found pregnant Joseph knew the right
thing to do was to divorce her because of unfaithfulness. Still, he loved her
and did not want to make a spectacle of her so he intended to divorce her
quietly. He must have been brokenhearted over what he could only assume was
unfaithfulness on Mary’s part. When he heard the truth that she was with child
by the Holy Spirit he must have been confused and elated. To spare Mary he
chose to marry her immediately rather than wait the appointed time. Typically,
a groom would wait a year after the betrothal. During that time, they were
considered legally married, but they were not together. Still, obedience couldn’t
have been easy. Rumors would fly. It would have been so much easier to just
walk away, but Joseph did the right thing. He submitted his will to that of God’s.
Both Mary and Joseph quickly responded to God’s call with submission and
obedience.
It makes me wonder how I would
have responded in their place. How do you respond when God speaks? Do you consider
it? Do you argue with God, or make excuses for why you cannot obey? Do you
explain it away or seek to modify his call to something more partial to your
taste? As we anticipate 2023, let us resolve to respond quickly to God’s call
on our lives with, “Yes, Lord” whatever he calls us to.
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