Joseph Accepts Jesus as His Son
[18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about:
His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.
19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:
23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.
25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.]
This reads all so simply but in reality it was probably a very confusing time for him.
Can you imagine being a righteous man who finds out the one you are ‘engaged to be married’ is now pregnant?
He could have done what he desired, to leave her quietly and divorce her, but he also knew in those days she would be stoned for that was the law of the land at that time.
It was a choice HE made to stay with her, and to walk beside her, and to be with her in this time of stress.
It was a protection for her and also a form of obedience for him for the angel had said, “don’t be afraid, it’s all going to be alright.”
I love this part of the story for not only he becomes her ‘partner’ but HE chose to be a part of this miraculous birthing process.
The story continues and acceptance plays a role.
