How Was Joseph A Hero?

Read Matthew 1:18-25

We know Joseph from the Christmas story that is told every December. People talk about the birth of Jesus and all that Mary went through, but not very often is it mentioned that Joseph’s patience was extremely important to how it all turned out.

I can’t imagine what Joseph felt like when he found out his plans had changed without his consent. He knew the baby wasn’t his. He could’ve divorced Mary and changed the whole story.

But he didn’t.

An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream to encourage him to take Mary home as his wife instead of divorcing her. He obeyed the angel because he believed the message was from God.

Then he patiently waited to see what God was going to do.

Joseph had heard about Mary’s cousin Elizabeth and her silent husband. Elizabeth gave birth to John about six months before Mary gave birth to Jesus. I’d guess that John’s parents had a lot to say about what God was doing. In fact, the first thing Zechariah did when he could speak again was praise God. He sang a song of praise about what God was doing – and it wasn’t about his son John.

The nine months of waiting and watching Mary’s belly grow was a daily reminder that God had big plans for the baby. Joseph was patient and accepted the blessing from God.

I’m sure Mary was thanking God for giving her a hero husband who stood by her in his patience.