Matthew Chapters 1-2

I had never before realised how prominent a figure Joseph is in the early gospel story, as recorded by Matthew. He is, in fact, significantly more prominent than Mary who is only mentioned explicitly twice (vv18 & 20) and twice more implicitly (vv21 & 22). Even when Mary is mentioned explicitly she is always referred to in relation to Joseph or in relation to her task. In verse 18 she is 'engaged to Joseph', in verse 20 she is Joseph's 'wife'. There is no doubt that Joseph is the hero of this early story. He is the recipient of the vast majority of the divine interaction; he is witness to two Angelic apparitions (1.20 & 2.13) in his sleep and two further instructive dreams (2.12 & 2.22), which guide this fledgling family on their way.

Perhaps the fact that he is the recipient of such divine help is only an indication that he needed it more than the others. Putting myself in his shoes I can see why that might be the case. What would he be feeling? His wife-to-be had only 9 months previously broken the news to him that she was pregnant and he was not the father! Since then he had travelled to Bethlehem, Egypt and now to Nazareth, a backwater town, in fear of his life and the life of his family. He had the responsibility of caring for his young wife and his young son Jesus, who is to 'save his people from their sins' (2.21). I would imagine he was asking some serious questions of God; what did I do to deserve this? Why choose me? He is in awe. He must be frightened, terrified in fact. This must have been something akin to a waking dream, perhaps a nightmare at times. But yet in the face of all of this he consistently makes the right decision, to be obedient to God.

Much has been made in the history of the church of the heroism of Mary, and yes, she is worthy of much of it. But Joseph is without doubt a hero too. On him rested the massive responsibility of keeping this vulnerable troupe alive and he responded with great courage and distinction. But the same thing that marked Mary out as a heroine marks him out as hero - he was obedient. He said yes. Again and again and again, he said yes.

And that is the challenge for each of us too. Will we be people who say 'yes'? People who surrender our agenda to God and in so doing allow Him to make something more of our lives than we could ever make under our own steam? If we do we can be certain that this will lead us into a story far bigger than us, the same story that Mary and Joseph stepped into when they said yes to receiving the Messiah Jesus, the Saviour of the world.