Joseph “The Just” And Jesus “The Heir”

By Ryan Habbena

Ever year at this time, particular attention is paid to the Gospel birth narratives. While it is wonderful that the Scriptures are being read and engaged, several details in these accounts have been misunderstood due to their “popular” portrayal in our culture. For instance, we see dozens of nativity scenes every year, yet Jesus was most probably born in a typical “middle class” home in Bethlehem. Furthermore, there was no innkeeper refusing to let Mary and Joseph stay in a “hotel.” This crept into church history because of a misunderstanding of a particular Greek word. Beyond these matters, there are also matters that we often gloss over when there are powerful points that arise from these “small details.” One I wish to explore in this is article is the declaration of Joseph as being a “just man” and some of the implications that arise for our own walk in the Lord.

In the first chapter of Matthew we read the royal genealogy of Jesus. The Messianic credentials are established. Jesus is the descendant of Abraham, Judah, David, and Zerubbabel — highlighting the fulfillment of God’s promises throughout the Law and Prophets. But in the text we are introduced to a problem; a crisis:

Now the birth of Jesus Christ 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 from 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

Here is the crisis: Joseph resolved to divorce her. He believed she had been unfaithful. And since, as far as we know, there had never been a virgin conception prior to this, who can blame him? Joseph is described as being “just.” Even though Joseph and Mary were betrothed, this was considered binding in the first century Jewish culture. According to the law, Joseph could have had her stoned. But Joseph is described as being “just” by not wanting to openly shame her, and resolved to end the matter quietly. How is this “just”? Kenneth Bailey suggests that Isaiah’s “servant prophecy” of Isaiah 42:1-6 may be the source of this description of justice, which describes the coming “Servant” as bringing forth justice, though not “breaking a bruised reed” nor “quenching a dimly burning wick.” Bailey’s comments on this passage:

“Joseph looked beyond the penalties of the law in order to reach out with tenderness to a young woman who was no doubt bruised and exhausted. Perhaps he saw Mary as “a dimly burning wick.” The prophetic definition of justice required a compassionate con cern for the weak, the downtrodden and the outcasts in their need. In his dealings with Mary, Joseph acted out of this prophetic definition of justice. Without that prophetic understanding of justice embedded in Joseph’s mind, Jesus would not have been born. Joseph is, therefore, not a passive, mute figure. Rather, he acts as a strong, thoughtful person whose bold decision at a point of crisis saves the life of the mother and her unborn child.”1

Yet, the crisis of Joseph “putting away” Mary needed to be averted. If Joseph did not take Mary as his wife, the royal line would not reach the Son. So God in his sovereign wisdom and mercy intervened:

But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet. “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus. Matthew 1:20-25

Joseph obeyed. His just actions preserved the life of the mother and her Child. He listened to the angels amazing announcement of the good news and proceeded to take Mary as His wife. Thus, through God’s sovereign orchestration the child in Mary’s womb became the heir to the promises. Joseph was given the indelible privilege of giving the Messiah his name, the name by which every knee will bow: “And he called his name Jesus.”

The Father has orchestrated His sovereign symphony of salvation history. To the called: It is marvelous in our eyes. Through the person and work of Jesus the Messiah, the promise to Abraham, that in his descendant all the nations would be blessed, is fulfilled. We who repent and believe are saved from our sins and have peace with God through the Gospel of Jesus Christ, regardless of ethnicity. We bow before the risen King, acknowledging Him as Lord and Christ. We should reflect on the justice of Joseph and seek to emulate his example. Yet, the most important implication to remember is this: Jesus is no longer a baby. The Word made flesh grew to a man and willingly went to the cross to save His people from their sins. He is now the risen King who, though once laid in an animal trough, will one day appear in the sky revealing Himself in glory as the eternal King. In the “season of peace,” we do well to ask “Am I at peace with Him?”

(1) Kenneth E. Bailey, Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes, (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2008) 44.