Joe loves Mary

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. –Matthew 1:24 (NIV)

Scripture doesn’t tell us a lot about Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus. We know he was faithful to the law. We know he was compassionate. We know he was thoughtful and deliberate. And we know he had dreams. Now, when I say he had dreams, I’m not talking about the “hopes and…” variety that are common to most of us when we think about our life. I’m talking about visions you have when you go to sleep. I don’t dream often, at least not dreams that I can remember; most of what I recall is just fragments of nonsensical thoughts that reflect events or people that crossed my consciousness during the day.

So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt… –Matthew 2:14 (NIV)
So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. –Matthew 2:21 (NIV)

When Joseph dreamed, he received revelations from God, much like his namesake from the Old Testament – actual messages that were significant and instructive. His came from an angel, on at least four occasions, over a span that was likely two to four years in duration. Each instance included elements of drama, disruption, and danger. Joseph didn't flinch. In each instance, he obeyed. We aren’t sure what happened to Joseph. We know he was still leading his family when Jesus was twelve, but out of the picture by the time of the crucifixion. It’s widely believed he was some years older than Mary and preceded her in death.

And he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene. –Matthew 2:23 (NIV)

Someday I will ask Joseph what it was like. Was it hard to be obedient? Did he ever feel like he’d had enough? Was he ever afraid to go to sleep? Did he have any idea what he was signing up for when he obeyed the first instruction: “Do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife”? I’m glad Joseph was a dreamer. I’m glad God spoke to him with very specific instructions. I’m glad Joseph was faithful. Joseph believed and honored his God. More than that, Joseph loved his Mary. No wonder God chose him for the assignment of looking after His Son. I wanna be that solid.