A Man Of Dreams And Hope

Scriptures: Matthew 1: 18-20, 24 (NIVUK) – “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.  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.  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.’”  “When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.” 

Matthew 2:13-14 (NIVUK) – “When they [the Magi] had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. ‘Get up,’ he said, ‘take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt.  Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.’”

Matthew 2:19-23 (NIVUK) – “After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.’  So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel.  But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there.  Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth.  So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene.”

Message: Have you ever wondered what qualities God looks for in those He chooses to do his work?  Joseph was the man God chose to raise and nurture His Son, the Messiah; to protect and honor Mary, his betrothed, chosen to bear the Son of God and care for Him on earth.  What a task to be given!

 Joseph is described as being upright, faithful to the law, a man who always did what was right.  There are no recorded words of Joseph.  Confused by Mary’s pregnancy and wanting to deal kindly with her, he waits to consider his response.  And then God directs him through the words of an angel in a dream.  Immediately, Joseph calmly obeys.  No doubt, no discussion.  His faith and trust in God were sufficient. 

 After Jesus is born, God speaks to Joseph through angels in dreams twice more, instructing him to flee to Egypt from King Herod (Matthew 2:13-14) and then, several years later, to return from Egypt to Galilee (Matthew 2:19-23).  Joseph puts his hope in God calmly and immediately obeys, confident in God’s overarching care for him as he protects and loves Mary and Jesus.  Joseph then quietly raises Jesus as his son, teaches Him his trade and models Godly behavior to Jesus, the Son of God. 

 So, what did God see in Joseph?  I believe it was quietness, trust, strength of character, faith, hope and an openness to listen to God.  These are the qualities we should seek to nurture as we journey with God through the life and the circumstances He has placed us in.  Perhaps, most of all, we need to draw close enough to God, in silence, to learn to listen to His voice.  Not easy in this busy and noisy world, but how else will we hear God’s words of truth and blessing?

 Prayer: Lord Jesus, right now, in this busiest of seasons help me to draw close to You.  Speak to me in the silence, the words You want me to hear.  Amen.

Jean Whiting
Henfield Evangelical Church
Henfield, United Kingdom

It is Sunday!  If you wish to watch our worship service online, click here for information
on how to join us any time you please.