Christmas - Joseph the Just (Part 2)

Part 2....


Now the birth of Jesus took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit; and her husband, Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.
                      -- Matthew 1: 18-19


So we now see (Part 1) that Joseph's definition of justice stemmed from the Old Testament teachings on mercy and compassion.

We see in Matthew 1 that Joseph did not have an initial appearance of the angel messenger, like Mary did. Probably someone else told him Mary was pregnant. The text does not tell us. Maybe a gossipy neighbor told him.  But it is clear that
he decided to do the righteous and just thing first, and then the angel appeared. (Maybe a good message for us there.)

The English translation of Matthew 1:20 says he "considered" the situation. Most scholars say the more accurate meaning of the Greek word used would be that he became "very upset," even "fuming."

Even though he did choose to do the right thing, did that mean he had no feelings at all? Certainly he was embarrassed. Felt betrayed. Angry. There would have been great doubts about his bride-to-be and her merit as a wife and mother of his children.

But one remarkable thing about Joseph is that he was able to still do the "right"--  the "just" -- thing. He could re-process his anger and hurt. He could turn them into grace.

Later when his Son Jesus was grown (and we don't know how long Joseph lived, whether he even saw his Son grown) we can see glimpses of Joseph actions in our Lord's teachings.

Remember the parable of the great banquet when the wealthy generous man was publicly insulted? It's in Luke 14. The
donor decides to re-process his anger into grace, and turned to the unworthy outside the community to invite them to his grand banquet.

And in Matthew 12 Jesus talks about the wealthy farmer who build a vineyard and rents it out to tenants. When he tries to collect the rents the tenants refuse to pay. They insult, beat and finally kill the servants who come to collect the rent. The master decides to turn his anger into grace and send his son, alone and unarmed, hoping they will be ashamed and pay their due.

Did Jesus grow up with this kind of example, of extending mercy, not legal justice, when he watched his earthly father?

Why did Joseph even take Mary with him to Bethlehem to register? Did he fear that she would be shunned or mistreated during his absence? She was also a descendant of David and so was entitled to go.  He could have registered for her, but he chose to take her.

Anyway you look at it, Joseph is a silent hero in this 'only once in history' story of the Incarnation. His courage and understanding of God's over-reaching, eternal message made it possible for there to be a Christmas story at all.

He was able to turn his anger and hurt for himself into grace and mercy for others.

Joseph the Just. Joseph the Noble. Joseph the Kind and Good. Joseph the godly.


[Shakespeare understood justice and mercy. Remember
Portia's cautionary words in The Merchant of Venice?

''(mercy)... is an attribute of God Himself
And earthly power doth then show most likest God's
When mercy seasons justice. Therefore, Jew,
Though justice be thy plea, consider this,
That in the course of justice, none of us
Should see salvation: we do pray for mercy,
And that same prayer doth teach us to render
The deeds of mercy..."

When mercy seasons justice...like God's example...
If we pursue justice none of us would ever see salvation....and that appeal for mercy compels us to extend more deeds of mercy..."Let him who is without sin, cast the first stone," Jesus said.

Was He remembering?

I remember my father saying, every time we took a photo of him, "does it do me justice? No, I don't want justice. I want mercy!"

[I understand that better every year.]