Do As The Lord Commands
“Joseph, son of David,
do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.
For it is through the Holy Spirit
that this child has been conceived in her.
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins.”
When Joseph awoke,
he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him
and took his wife into his home. (Mt 1:20b-21,24a)
The scriptures are very clear about one thing from the very beginning: Joseph was considered a “just man”. The term, “Just”, was used rarely in identifying others. If you were considered a just man, you were considered exemplary, top-notch, a stellar example to others.
Joseph was just.
That does not mean that Joseph was not human.
He was as human as you and I. And, being human, he was greatly troubled when his intended bride, Mary, came to him and told him that she was pregnant. She told him that she was carrying the Son of God.
We do not know what Joseph said to Mary when she told him about her condition. We do not know the thoughts that may have raced across his mind. But we do know one thing. He, apparently, did not believe her.
He also knew that he had a couple of options open to him. He could condemn Mary publicly, and, in doing so, have her put to death. Or, he could settle things privately, quietly, and leave well enough alone.
Joseph was a just man. He did not want to see blood shed. So, he decided to divorce Mary quietly.
Until.
Until that just man had a dream in which an angel told him that everything Mary said was true. That angel also told Joseph that God needed him to step up and become the foster-father of the child, to raise Him and protect Him as well as to care for Mary, His mother.
Joseph, the just man, did what the Lord requested through the angel. Of course, he would. Just people always do what the Lord asks of them.
Do the will of God today!
FAITH ACTION: Pray for all of those who accept the dignity and challenge of foster-parenthood.