Joseph, What a Guy

“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit.  And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly.  But when he had considered this, behold an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.  She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus for He will save His people from their sins.”  Matthew 1:18-21.

What is so remarkably human about Jesus’ birth is that his earthly foster father, Joseph, was a good but practical man.  He did not want to embarrass Mary, but he also did not want to embarrass himself.  He made a sensible plan, but it was not God’s plan.  Joseph upon hearing God’s plan, yielded his will to God’s will. 

So, it was that Jesus was not put away quietly, but came to earth with great fan fair and a future which turned the world upside down.