Joseph & Christ

What do we learn about Christ from Joseph?

Matthew 1:20-23
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

While he thought he thought on these things – Joseph was engaged to Mary and found out she was pregnant, consequently, he was thinking about putting her away (divorcing her). While he thought on these things he had a dream from the Lord. In this dream an angel appeared to him and told him ‘the rest of the story.’

that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost – I don’t know if he understood fully what this meant, after all Mary got a much fuller explanation, but the main thing was this means she had not been with another man. This pregnancy is supernatural. Therefore, “Marry the girl.”

she shall bring forth a son – This the best ultrasound in history!

thou shalt call his name JESUS – While this was not a unique name (in Acts 13 there is a man named Bar-Jesus (son of Jesus), which means there were at least 2 other men named Jesus), it is a heavenly name. 

for he shall save his people from their sins – Ἰησοῦς or Iesous is the Greek form of Joshua/Yeshua, “Yahweh saves” or “salvation”. You shall call his name salvation: for he shall save his people from their sins. Hallelujah!

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus; there's just something about that name.
Master, Savior, Jesus, like the fragrance after the rain;
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, let all Heaven and earth proclaim
Kings and kingdoms will all pass away,
But there's something about that name.
(Bill & Gloria Gaither)

I think Joseph is getting the picture by now: Mary is going to give birth to the Messiah!

22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

This is Matthew’s explanation of the significance of all this – it was fulfillment of prophecy. God was so good to announce beforehand the coming of Christ, to announce details so we would recognize him when he came. I know there is a growing trend to cast aside the Old Testament as irrelevant for us today, but this is so wrong. The Old Testament is the foundation for the Gospel, the skeleton for the Body. When you talk to people about Christ they often object, "There are so many religions out there, how can you know the gospel is true?" One way is fulfilled prophecy; prophecies made hundreds of years before they were fulfilled in Christ. We need to be familiar and conversant with the Old Testament!

Behold, a virgin shall be with child - A miraculous conception is a major miracle, but the biggest news is who this child is, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. This is all talking about the child Mary will give birth to; Jesus, who will save his people from their sins.

Did Joseph know this? I mean, was he aware of the prophecy? did he tie this all together? We are not told, but I wouldn’t be surprised. He was Jewish; he knew the Scriptures; and he no doubt shared the hope of the Coming One.

Come, thou long expected Jesus,
Born to set thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in thee.
Israel's strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth thou art;
Dear Desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.

Born thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to thy glorious throne.
(Charles Wesley)


NEXT: The Wise Men