Friday, October 7, 2016
Is there a faithful person in the Bible who *doesn't* stand out? One like this is probably not listed as a "Hero of Faith," like those listed in Hebrews chapter eleven. But there are plenty non-standouts worth mentioning!
"BY FAITH ALONE" -- LIKE JOSEPH (MARY'S HUSBAND)
One of my pastor friends said this was one of his favorite people of the Bible. "Joseph, the husband of Mary, was a faithful husband and faithful father laboring in the background."
Do you prefer to take to the background? Do you avoid the spotlight? Mary's husband Joseph was certainly one mentioned in the Bible who was like that. Before they were married, Joseph and Mary were "betrothed" (a word that meant a couple was legally married, but would not come together or live together until the husband finished the home). But when Joseph found out that Mary was pregnant though they'd never slept together, he didn't take the spotlight or put the spotlight on Mary. Instead, "Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly" (Matthew 1:19). Joseph showed great compassion and mercy as a faithful man of God, and God revealed that Mary had not slept with another man, but was carrying the Son of God in her womb. A miracle that Joseph believed "by faith alone!"
Joseph raised Jesus, the Son of God, as his own son. In fact, Joseph showed faithfulness to the Lord in having Jesus circumcised on the eighth day, and kept the sacrifice to the Lord (Luke 2:21-24). Fast forward almost 13 years. Joseph showed great leadership in taking his family every year to Jerusalem for the Passover feast "according to the custom" (Luke 2:41-42). Other than these two sections, Joseph isn't really mentioned elsewhere. But his faithfulness in the background stands out for us yet today as a God-fearing husband and leader for his family. What an honor for Joseph (and Mary) to care for the one who came to show His care in dying for the sin of the world! May we ever have such faithfulness is trials and tests, and trust the Lord Jesus to lead us in the way we should go to our eternal life!
Thy righteousness, O Christ, Alone can cover me;
No righteousness avails, Save that which is of Thee.
To whom save Thee, who canst alone
For sin atone, Lord, shall I flee?
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 380:5)
