Brothers and sisters, today we are diving into the Nativity Account to learn what true obedience looks like from one of the scripture's most overlooked and underrated people in the life of Jesus.
We all know details about Mary, baby Jesus, and the angel Gabriel. We’re familiar with the Wise Men from afar, the Shepherds, and even sing songs with details about the cattle—the ones who were “lowing.”
But what about Joseph? He quietly stands in the background, watching over the manger but nothing is recorded of him actually speaking a single word.
So, why look at a person from whom we don’t have words recorded? Well, even though we cannot glean any understanding from his words, we do have his actions recorded, and if God sees fit to have Joseph written into His everlasting Word, then we can be assured that it is not for nothing.
2 Timothy 3:16
Every Scripture passage is inspired by God. All of them are useful for teaching, pointing out errors, correcting people, and training them for a life that has God’s approval.
Scripture is clear …everything recorded is useful.
So, let us read our scripture for today.
Matthew 1: 18-25
18 The birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way: His mother Mary had been promised to Joseph in marriage. But before they were married, Mary realized that she was pregnant by the Holy Spirit. 19 Her husband Joseph was an honorable man and did not want to disgrace her publicly. So he decided to break the marriage agreement with her secretly. 20 Joseph had this in mind when an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. The angel said to him, “Joseph, descendant of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife. She is pregnant by the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus [He Saves], because he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this happened so that what the Lord had spoken through the prophet came true: 23 “The virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name him Immanuel,” which means “God is with us.” 24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him to do. He took Mary to be his wife. 25 He did not have marital relations with her before she gave birth to a son. Joseph named the child Jesus.
*Prayer*
Though Joseph is considered a key figure in the Bible, as we’ve learned, we know very little about him. But here are some facts that have been revealed.
(Matthew 13:55) tells us He was a carpenter - a skilled laborer and craftsman, likely strong and hardworking.
From Jesus' genealogy listed at the beginning of Matthew 1, we learn that Joseph was a descendant of King David (Matthew 1:6, Isaiah 11:1). This detail is significant because Isaiah foretold that the Messiah would come from the line of David. Both Mary and Joseph are descendants of David.
When Joseph and Mary dedicated baby Jesus as required by Jewish law, they offered two doves at the temple, which reveals another important detail about Joseph: he was not wealthy (Luke 2:24, Leviticus 12:8).
When a family welcomed a new baby, the customary offering was a lamb, yet the less fortunate could bring a pair of doves or pigeons.
Perhaps the most remarkable fact about Joseph is that he never spoke in the Christmas narrative.
Not a single word he uttered was recorded.
He has no lines in Christmas plays!
He is often treated as an extra.
Most don’t look forward to getting his role.
His dialogue with the angel Gabriel? Not recorded.
His conversations with Mary or Jesus? Not captured for us to read.
Yet, Joseph is revered through the ages as a hero of faith. Why? Because his actions, not his words, reveal his true character.
Matthew 5:16 reminds us that character is kind of important to God.
16 In the same way let your light shine in front of people. Then they will see the good that you do and praise your Father in heaven.
So, let us begin seeing what we can learn from the character of Jesus’ stepfather, Joseph.
Matthew 1:18 says,
"This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph."
Joseph exemplified godliness in his engagement (Matthew 1:18a). He likely anticipated marrying Mary for a long time. He fulfilled the expectations of a God-fearing Jewish man. Their marriage would have been arranged in their youth.
In Mary’s day, girls were often betrothed at age two!
Can you imagine?
“What do you think of this one son?
Well, she drools, throws tantrums, and isn’t fully potty trained!
But I’m only six and still sleep with a night light.”
Seriously though, arranged marriages of that day were more of an economic transaction than about love.
It puts the old song “Love the One Your With” into a new kind of reality, doesn’t it!
While marriages were arranged very young, the official engagement occurred around age 12, and weddings might happen as soon as six months later. Usually, men were engaged around 16, making it likely Joseph was quite young as well.
In our culture, we often wait to “fall” in love before marriage, but back then, they married first and chose to love each other. Divorce was virtually unheard of—an intriguing thought!
Now, here comes a twist.
Matthew 1:18b states,
"But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit."
So here was Joseph, engaged to Mary, only to discover she was pregnant. In our culture, engagement doesn’t carry the same weight as it did then. Often, being engaged in America merely indicates that marriage “might” occur in the next couple of years. If things go awry, one simply needs to break the ties to the relationship and move on with their lives with little to no ramifications other than some hurt feelings.
But during Joseph and Mary’s time, an engagement was a legally binding agreement, signed in the presence of witnesses. Money or property was exchanged by the son’s parents. They treated the engagement with the same seriousness as marriage itself. So, here were Mary and Joseph, pledged to be married, but Mary was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.
For Joseph, it was a no-brainer that this baby wasn’t his: they had never conjoined into one body through physical intimacy. Throughout history, physical intimacy has been reserved for marriage; this was God’s standard, and it was Joseph’s standard, for he was a righteous man.
Imagine the wild thoughts that could have surged through his mind: anger, outrage, humiliation, disgust, heartache, and even revenge.
Yet, Matthew 1:19 tells us, "
Joseph, her fiancé, was a good man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly."
Joseph didn’t believe Mary’s the “Holy Spirit was her babies dady” story. Yet, verse 19 reveals the heart of the man who raised Jesus as his own son. The Bible describes Joseph as a “good" or “righteous man.”
He didn’t want to expose Mary to public disgrace.
Joseph displayed righteousness in how he handled Mary’s alleged infidelity.
Would you care about her reputation if your fiancée told you she was pregnant?
Would you seek to protect her?
If not, then we look to God’s Word in Philippians 2:3-5 which reminds us that we as Christians today are to have this characteristic today as well.
Don’t act out of selfish ambition or be conceited. Instead, humbly think of others as being better than yourselves. 4 Don’t be concerned only about your own interests, but also be concerned about the interests of others. 5 Have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
In a culture where Jewish men had the right to shame unfaithful women and even demand their death, Joseph chose a different path. As a righteous man, he sought to shield Mary from punishment and pain, even when he was hurt himself.
Perhaps you’ve encountered moments like this. Times when someone wronged you, and instead of retaliating, you decided to extend grace. We all strive to maintain a Christ-like composure. But can you do so in the most challenging situations?
Joseph was diligently planning a life with Mary—working, saving, securing their future, and dreaming of a family. Those plans could have unraveled in an instant, yet he remained committed to doing the right thing.
Can you remain faithful and godly when emotions run high, and hurt fills your heart? Joseph did. When your spouse, children, or community let you down, do you still stand firm in your faith and uphold to your characteristics of obedience? When pain prompts you to retaliate, how do you respond?
The only logical explanation for Mary’s pregnancy seemed to be her unfaithfulness, but Joseph chose to protect her dignity by divorcing quietly. Jewish culture upheld the seriousness of engagement, meaning a divorce was necessary for those who believed infidelity had occurred.
While it was expected for Joseph to end the marriage, look at verse 20-24
20 Joseph had this in mind when an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. The angel said to him, “Joseph, descendant of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife. She is pregnant by the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus [He Saves], because he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this happened so that what the Lord had spoken through the prophet came true: 23 “The virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name him Immanuel,” which means “God is with us.”24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him to do. He took Mary to be his wife.
Have you ever found your well-laid plans suddenly redirected by God? Joseph had decided to call off the wedding when an angel intervened, urging him not to fear taking Mary as his wife. Her child was from the Holy Spirit.
God revealed the true plan to Joseph, and he demonstrated obedience (verses 20-24). J. MacArthur once said,
“You can imagine how great Joseph’s feelings of amazement, relief, and gratitude must have been once he realized what the Lord had told him. Not only could he gladly take Mary as his wife with honor and righteousness, but he could also rejoice at the privilege of raising God’s own Son” (J. MacArthur, pg 12).
Consider that Joseph was the stepfather of Jesus, not his biological father. This unique role could spark intriguing reflections. Imagine if Joseph kept a journal. You can bet at some point in his complex role as the Stepdad to Jesus, he penned a list something like this.
Issues with Being Jesus’ Stepdad:
Jesus’ real Father only provided enough child support for two doves.
Mary still relied heavily on Jesus’ real dad.
Jesus is always comparing me to his “heavenly” father.
Every time you take Jesus fishing, somehow, all the fish is always on His side of the boat.
It isn’t very uncomfortable to have to ask your stepson for forgiveness.
He always finished all my sentences because He knew what I would say before I did. What a know-it-all!
Whenever I have a tough decision, Mary always says, “What Would Jesus Do?”
Every time we turn around, Jesus takes off to do His other Father’s business.
Imagine the honor and challenge of being a father figure for God’s One and Only son!
You think God’s put challenges on you while you’re here on this earth!
The angel’s message serves as a reminder that the most significant aspect of this dream was not merely the marriage but the incredible destiny of Jesus.
Then, the angel provided Joseph with four critical details:
1. He will have a son.
2. He is conceived by the Holy Spirit.
3. His name is Jesus.
4. He will be the Savior of His people.
These same four facts were also given to Mary, confirming everything the angel had told her.
Joseph did not have physical relations with Mary until after her son was born, and he named him Jesus. As soon as Joseph awoke, he acted upon the command he had received. He got up, obeyed, and followed God’s instructions, recognizing the Lord’s authority and doing what was asked of him.
Why is this so impressive?
Look around our world today.
Many claim Jesus as Lord and Savior yet choose to live according to their own desires, disregarding His teachings. We see countless individuals who profess loyalty but fail to live it out.
Joseph serves as a powerful example of quiet faithfulness. He lived out his commitment without seeking recognition or speaking of it; he simply did what was required of him.
Every time Joseph is mentioned in Scripture, he is depicted in obedience:
He circumcised Jesus on the eighth day, as was customary. (Luke 2:21)
He presented Jesus at the temple after 40 days, fulfilling Jewish law. (Luke 2:22)
When God instructed him to go to Egypt, Joseph moved his family there, ensuring Jesus’s safety during His childhood. (Matthew 2:13)
Following God’s command to leave Egypt and return to Nazareth, Joseph acted promptly. (Matthew 2:19; Luke 2:39)
He ensured Jesus was present at the Passover celebration when he turned 12. (Luke 2:41)
We may not have recorded words from Joseph, but his actions profoundly demonstrate his faithful character of obedience. He remained steadfast in both trials and blessings—faithful to God, to Scripture, and to his family.
When God sought a stepfather for Jesus, He didn’t choose a renowned teacher of the law or a wealthy man flaunting his status. Instead, God chose a humble man who quietly and faithfully submitted his life to the Lord.
Do your actions speak as loudly as your words? If you are a Christian, you have likely made a heartfelt confession, acknowledging your need for Jesus as Lord and Savior. You may have submitted to being baptized, calling upon the name of the Lord. These are indeed crucial, yet faith transcends mere intellectual agreement and getting wet.
Faithfulness is a lifestyle—following Jesus wherever He leads, obeying Him regardless of the cost. It is about choosing to do what’s right even when others do not, embracing challenges in alignment with God’s will. It’s a daily walk with the Lord, learning from failures, refusing to be sidetracked, and taking the initiative to act on what you can do, not on your own strength and understanding but living a life of full surrender to God and His Will for your life.
Joseph embodies a vital theme in Scripture: faith is an action. James 1:22 reminds us,
But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says.”
Joseph received a word from the Lord and acted on it, demonstrating what true faith looks like.
Many Christians seek new teachings or exciting studies, hoping to find a secret to transforming their lives. Yet, faithfulness is not an academic pursuit—it’s a practice of submission and obedience. Most of us already know more than we actively put into practice.
What defines people of faith is their commitment to action, not merely to study. I re-illustrate what Jesus’ stepbrother James wrote:
“But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says.”
Jesus Himself challenged us with,
"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?" (Luke 6:46).
Why claim to be a follower of Jesus while disregarding His call? This is a piercing question from our Savior.
The image of baby Jesus in the manger is beloved; it represents hope and innocence. Yet, many shy away from the reality that Jesus is our Lord, claiming authority over our time, our actions, and our resources. Joseph lived under that authority, embodying obedience.
John 14:15 calls us to action:
“If you love me, obey my commandments.”
Joseph loved God and his son Jesus, and he lived that love through his obedience.
Is there a special reward in heaven for the man who raised Jesus? I would like to believe so, yet it's uncertain.
Was his life filled with ease? It seems not.
Was he held in high regard during his lifetime? Probably not.
Was he granted a long life? It doesn’t appear so.
Did he receive generous financial support as the stepdad of the Son of God? Nope.
One thing is for sure…There is a 100% guarantee that there is a place in Heaven for those who are obedient to God and His Will.
Joseph faced challenges, adversity, and the pain of likely dying without witnessing Jesus become the Savior of the world. However, throughout all of this, he was remembered as a faithful man. Obedience is his legacy.
How will you be remembered when you’re gone? What will the record reveal about how you lived your life?
No one wants to be remembered as someone who folded under pressure or as the person who never followed through. The pages of scripture are filled with those who failed to live a life according to God’s Will.
Scripture plainly tells us the results of a life filled with disobedience.
9 Don’t you know that wicked people won’t inherit God’s kingdom? Stop deceiving yourselves! People who continue to commit sexual sins, who worship false gods, those who commit adultery, homosexuals, 10 or thieves, those who are greedy or drunk, who use abusive language, or who rob people will not inherit God’s kingdom. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10
We all desire to be known as those who persevered, faced challenges head-on, and followed God’s guidance.
We wish to be remembered as faithful husbands and wives, devoted parents, and committed employees and employers.
Most importantly, we seek to be recognized as faithful Christians—not just for our words, but for our actions.
When we submit our lives entirely to God, we have the assurance that when we are called to our Heavenly home, we will hear the words given to us in Matthew 25: 23
23 “His master replied, ‘Good job! You’re a good and faithful servant! You proved that you could be trusted with a small amount. I will put you in charge of a large amount. Come and share your master’s happiness.’
Remember, only you can decide to shape your legacy into one of faithful obedience to our Heavenly Father and His Perfect Will.
If you have never committed your life to Christ, we implore you today to come forward and make that decision; to begin a life of obedience to God.
By confessing belief in Jesus as God’s One and Only Son.
Confessing Him as Lord and Savior of your life.
Repenting of your sinfulness, turning to God with a new desire to no longer willingly seek out sinful desires.
Submit to God by being immersed in water for the complete forgiveness of sins and the gift of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit into our lives.
Now is the time as we stand and sing our hymn of invitation.
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