The Step-Dad

 “Joseph was the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus.” Luke 1:16

Joseph’s t-shirt would have said “Life Is Good.”  Today was going well, and tomorrow looked even better.  He had a good job, a good girl, and a good plan. He wouldn’t make it rich as a carpenter, but he would make enough—enough to provide not just for him but for them. Joseph was getting married! Married to Mary. She was a good girl, a Godly girl—just a great girl!  And she was going to be his.  She was kind of his already. The best way to describe it would be that they were legal but not lovers, but one day, hopefully soon, he could go get his bride and bring her home.

But then Mary turned up pregnant. How could she?? Why would she?? She was God’s and she was his, but she wasn’t supposed to be anybody else’s! The emotions tumbled like churning daggers in his heart. Anger. Betrayal. Shame. “She’s guilty! Stone her! Retaliate with rocks. Pile pain on the one who hurt you,” shouted public opinion, but Joseph couldn’t. His heart was broken but not bent on revenge. His dream would die, but Mary wouldn’t die with it.

“After he had considered this,” he fell asleep, and God’s angel spoke. “It’s ok, Joseph, and it’s all good. You’re right. She’s God’s, she’s yours, she’s not anybody else’s, and she hasn’t been. The baby is from God, and it’s a boy. He’s the promised Messiah, and you will name him Jesus for he will save his people from their sins.  Wake up, Joseph, and step in. Step into a situation that looks awful even though it’s amazing. Step into a marriage that will always be marked by suspicion but will always be blessed by God’s choosing. And step into fatherhood way before you thought you would and be a dad to the very One who gave you life.”

 And Joseph did.  He stepped into the “mess” and married Mary. He stepped up his self-discipline and didn’t sleep with her until after Jesus was born.  And he stepped out from his comfortable Nazareth to busy Bethlehem to exotic Egypt as he obeyed his Heavenly Father and protected the Father’s Son.

Joseph was willing to walk by faith into a situation that only happened once in an eternity. No wonder God chose him as the step-dad.