2022-12-18 Fourth Sunday in Advent - Joseph: Righteous, Father, Protector, Faithful

 2022-12-18     Fourth Sunday in Advent - Isaiah 7:10-17   Romans 1:1-7    Matthew 1:18-25

In the name of the Father, +Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen

About this time of year, Marie and I receive letters that begin with “To our family and friends.” These letters are a general letter put in with Christmas cards that tell the news of the years events. Because family and friends are about across two countries, this is the one time we learn of births, deaths, new employments, and other changes. And, then at the end of the letter, we have the name of the person or family sending the letter. 

In the ancient world, the common practice was to begin the letter with the name of the sender, then quickly name the person the letter is intended for.  It can be as brief as: Pastor Zell to Pastor Seyboldt. After the letter writer’s name, there may be a title or a distinguishing mark of some kind that is important for the reader to know right away.  

The epistle for today as well as most of the other epistles in the New Testament are consistent with ancient practice.  The sender is Paul. Right away we need to know that he is a doulos - a  slave or servant of Jesus Christ, and that he is called to be an Apostle - one who is sent - and that he is “set apart” by God for a specific purpose.  

In short fashion we learn that Paul’s life and his identity is not his own.  He belongs to the crucified and risen Jesus Christ. And, that he is sent to proclaim the good news of Christ to the nations, including those who live, work, and worship in the heart of the Roman empire.  

As we learn the Apostle Paul’s story, we learn that his whole life is now oriented around the proclamation of Jesus Christ.  He does not live for himself.  He has no identity accept in the purpose of promoting the Gospel.  He is a slave to the Lord - one who is sent regardless of whether or not he wants to go.  God has set him apart for this purpose.

In the gospel lesson, we meet Joseph who is also a man who is set apart for a specific purpose. Paul did not know right away he was set apart for a specific purpose. Neither did Joseph. Joseph thought he was going to become Mary’s husband. And, enjoy the friendship and love of Mary’s family.  That did happen, I am sure of it. But, that is not the focus in the Scriptures.  The focus is how Joseph became a parent of a child he did not know was in the immediate plans. And, what he would do about it.

Joseph plays just as important of a role in the birth and life of Jesus as does Mary.  Oddly, in the Biblical record, we have no recording of Joseph saying a single thing.  As we reflect on Joseph, we see that we do not need his words.  His actions bear witness for his character and his faith in the Lord God. 

At the time of Jesus’ conception Joseph and Mary are not married, but they are legally bound to each other through engagement.  Twas the way things were done then.  In our 21st century culture, an engagement between and man and woman is a promise, a stated commitment.  The promise is fulfilled on a the day of the wedding.  Because this is a legal agreement between the two families, a legal separation or divorce needs to occur. 

We are told that Joseph is a righteous man.  Further along in the gospels, we meet righteous men, many of whom are pharisees, Sadducees, or scribes.  For these men, righteous means rigid, judgmental, operating with a keen sense of us/them and right/wrong, and they want to remain undefiled by prostitutes, tax collectors, and other sinners that are persistently around Jesus. This is not the kind of righteousness that Joseph works with.  Joseph is righteous, which means he is kind, thinks of others, and is merciful. 

Joseph is also a man of great faith.  Someone without faith that had dreamed a dream like Joseph had would have woken up, shrugged, and muttered, “Well, that was weird” then carried on with his plans for separation. Not so with Joseph. As a man of faith, he believes the word of a divine messenger and reverses course. 

The angel says, “..do not fear to take Mary as your wife.” Fear is a real issue.  By going forward Joseph risks social shame and contempt.  What kind of a man are you to take an unfaithful woman and become her husband? Don’t you know there is more of the same waiting for you? 

But Joseph is a righteous man. His full and complete trust is in the Lord God.  Joseph is a doulos, a servant of the Lord.  He is righteous. He lives with an unwavering faith in God. And, his righteousness leads him to obedience.  His obedience, especially in the face of what looks like a disaster, requires courage.  Because the Lord calls, he will follow and do what he is called to do.

Joseph is a righteous man.  He is set apart to be the earthly father of the Savior. 

We will never know if Joseph woke up convinced that Mary’s son is indeed the one prophesied by Isaiah. Yet, here is the thing, faith does not require confidence in an outcome.  Faith requires trust in the one issuing the command.  Joseph, being a truly righteous man, has faith in the Lord and trusts the angels words.  

As the events around Jesus’ birth develop, Joseph becomes essential to Mary and Jesus’ survival.  He protects Mary and Jesus.  Joseph finds shelter for Mary and Jesus in the stable.  Joseph is present with Mary when the Christ child is born. Joseph was with Mary and Jesus when the shepherds came to adore and worship the new-born Christ. Joseph was there to receive the Wise Men and their gifts.  When the crisis with the murderous Herod develops, Joseph again acted in faith by following the instructions of the Angel and fleeing to Egypt.  I suspect Joseph made good use of the gift of gold as he transplanted his family and business in Egypt until it was safe to return home.  Once again, Joseph being a righteous man, waited until the Lord bid them to return and they settled in Nazareth.

Joseph is a man of faith, from his faith came his vocation as Father and Protector who acts courageously and obediently.  Paul is set apart to proclaim Jesus as the Christ.  Joseph is set apart to be a Christian Father, righteous, acting in faith to protect his family to raise the child under his care to be the Christ, the Savior of the world. 

Joseph risked a lot to be Jesus’ Father.  He sacrificed his own plans and the social convention of his day so that we may have faith in Jesus, our Savior, who dies on the cross for us, so that we may have the forgiveness of our sins from our heavenly Father and peace with the Lord. 

In the name of the Father, +Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.