4. Advent, 12/19/2010

Sermon on Matthew 1:18-25, by David M. Wendel

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 of the Holy Spirit; [19] and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to send her away quietly. [20] But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. [21] She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." [22] All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

[23] "Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son,

and his name shall be called Emmanuel,"

(which means, "God with us)." [24] When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife, [25] but knew her not until she had borne a son; and he called his name Jesus.

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

Living in Another's Shadow

Have you ever lived in the shadow of another? I'm reading a new biography of George Washington, by Ron Chernow, and once again, I'm struck by the monumental stature of the revolutionary general and first President of the United States--both physically and as a leader. Most men would stand in the shadow of George Washington, literally, because he was 6' 4! And his height surely increased the difficulty John Adams, for example, had increasingly with Washington--as Adams was often in the shadow of the greats in revolutionary America, and sometimes was uncomfortable in that position. My brother was taller than me, and being two years older, I was used to being in his shadow, as he won track and wrestling awards in school, and I--well, I being naturally shy was comfortable following him around, wishing I could hang out with my brother and his friends. When you're used to living in another's shadow, you have to work at establishing your own identity, don't you? Kind of makes you wonder how Hillary Clinton handles serving as Secretary of State, when she aspired to the presidency? When you are not the center of attention, when you are not the focus of attention, you either accept it and live with it, or rebel and try to make your mark apart from the other.

Joseph in Mary's Shadow

Which brings us to beloved Joseph, husband of Mary and foster-father of Jesus. I think we could safely say that in the liturgical year, and in the Church, Mary gets most of the attention. In our three year lectionary, two out of the three years, the Gospels for the Fourth Sunday in Advent are Marian texts. There are many Advent and Christmas hymns that focus on Mary and her important role as the Christ-bearer, and you'd have to look long and hard to find more than two or three that even mention Joseph.

In the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions, while you can usually find a statue of Joseph in churches, Mary is called the "Queen of Heaven". Without a doubt, Joseph was, is, and maybe always will be in Mary's shadow. Not that humble Mary has sought the limelight; not that Mary ever put herself forward or presented herself as anything but a simple servant, a handmaiden of the Lord. But according to the biblical account, the Christ is conceived in Mary, by the Holy Spirit; Mary is the Theotokos, the God-Bearer, and so, Mary is the focus, and Joseph is somewhat in the background. Our purpose is not to criticize Mary, or to belittle the secondary role of Joseph. The point is simply that it's good that we give a little time to Joseph. It's good that we pause to reflect on the importance of Joseph in the coming of Emmanuel--God with us.

And it's good, not just because Joseph deserves equal time. It's good because when we consider Joseph, we learn some important things. We learn some important things about how men are to be fathers--and how men, too, are to bear Christ to the world. For though Joseph did not carry Jesus as Mary did, physically, biologically, Joseph was called upon to fulfill another, particular role in the birth of Jesus for the world, in the same way Mary was called to a particular role.

Joseph is an Example

And like Mary, Joseph had the freedom and the chance to say no, to God. In fact, Joseph had some pretty good reasons to say NO! He was being more than magnanimous by resolving to divorce Mary quietly, when he found out she was pregnant by someone other than her betrothed. Joseph had every right to want the child he would raise, to be HIS child, biologically. But we see in this passage from Matthew's gospel, that Joseph was a man of faith, and trust. When the angel appeared to him in a dream, he didn't question, or doubt--he seems to take the angel's manifestation in stride. Matthew tells us, "When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took Mary as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had born a son, and he named him Jesus." Joseph really doesn't get much "press-time" in the New Testament, but what is there makes it clear that Joseph is faithful and obedient--and more than willing to do whatever it is that the Lord asks of him. And though he is an example for all of us, in terms of his willingness and trust--he is especially so, for the men among us. And how?

Joseph Models Care for All Children

First, Joseph is an example in the way that he accepts responsibility for the care and nurturing of a child. And this child is not really his own! Yes, Jesus is given to Joseph and Mary, together. But Joseph is a role model in the sense that all men, not just biological fathers, are called upon to protect, defend and care for all the children who are entrusted to us. There can be no room for physical or sexual or emotional abuse--among those who call God our Father. Men--all men--must accept the special responsibility God gives to us, as to Joseph, to be especially careful to safeguard and watch over all children, whether they are "our" children or not. Joseph models how we are all to see the care and comfort of children as our unique charge in life--whether they were conceived of us or not. This is one way that Joseph is an example for us.

Joseph Models Respect and Honor for Others, Especially Women

Another way is in his willingness to uplift, accept and care for Mary, in spite of the fact that "people might talk". The unfortunate reality of the difficulties we face in our marriages and relationships stem as often as not, not from the strains in our relationships, but from fears about what others might think. If the word were to get out that the baby in Mary's womb was not Joseph's child, then, as now, tongues would have wagged and Joseph might've been shamed. But Joseph was willing to take that risk, in order to fulfill God's will, and to care for the mother of this child who would be "Emmanuel". And in Joseph's willingness, we see a tremendous sense of respect for Mary, for her role in God's plan, and a humility in Joseph that keeps him from worrying, first, about himself and second, about what others might think of him. And we men, all men are called by God to care for, respect and cherish women in the same way. If there's one thing we've lost from the 60's and 70's on, with the drive for equality in all things--its basic respect for one another, especially between men and women. Does it really diminish the value of women, for men to cherish them? Is there something wrong with Paul's exhortation for men to hold women in honor, as Christ honors his bride, the Church and gave his life for her? There were many actions Joseph could've taken with regard to Mary, but he chose God's will and way--so that from this point on, Joseph was committed to Mary, and to helping her fulfill God's calling in her own life--to the point where Joseph's own life and concerns, became secondary to Mary's. The respect and honor Joseph bestowed upon Mary, is an example for all of us who would be in relationship with another.

Joseph Models Obedience to the Father

And finally, Joseph is a model for us all, as he was completely obedient to the Father's will. In our second lesson from Romans, St. Paul is talking about the gospel concerning God's Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh, and was declared to be Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by resurrection from the dead...the Son of God through whom we have receive grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith, for the sake of his name, including ourselves who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. In other words, Jesus became flesh, and we have been called to be disciples, to preach the gospel, to share the good news, so that people might hear, and come to live the obedience of faith. And right away, from the moment Jesus became flesh, Joseph was an example of the obedience of faith to which we are called. And we, evidently, need such an example of the obedience of faith--because we have such a hard time with obedience! We might like to think we would obey promptly and completely, as did Joseph and Mary, saying, "Yes, Lord, let it be to me according to your will!" But more likely our response would be, "Yes, Lord--I'd like to do what you ask--but gosh, I'm busy. I don't think you realize how much I've got on my plate right now--between work, and home, and school activities, and sports practices for the kids, and working out at the gym, and keeping up with housework and yardwork." Others might respond, "Yes, Lord, I'd like to do what you ask, but right now, I see my life going in a different direction than the one you've laid out for me. Right now, I have a different plan, different goals, different priorities--and following your will--I just don't know if that's going to work for me."

We are Called to Faithful Obedience as God-Bearers

Wouldn't you think Joseph had all kinds of plans for his life, as well? Don't you think Joseph had mapped out pretty carefully, how his marriage was going to happen, and how his career would unfold back in the wood-shop in Nazareth, and how many kids he and Mary were going to have? And yet, when God called, Joseph yielded to God's will. Joseph acknowledged that God's will was more important than his own--and so, Joseph married a woman who was already pregnant. Joseph accepted the child as his own, and took Mary and Jesus off into Egypt, just to protect the baby from Herod and his soldiers. Joseph raised this child and nurtured him as a father would raise and nurture his own biological child. Joseph did all that God commanded him--and he did it for the obedience of faith. Joseph had faith in God, Joseph trusted God, and so, Joseph obeyed God's commands. And Joseph models the same obedience of faith, for us--for you and for me. For just as we, too, are called to care for and nurture all the children of the world; just as we, too, are called to respect and honor one another; we, too, are called to be obedient to God, by bringing forth for the world, the Christ--by having the Christ conceived in us, that he may also be carried by us; with us and in us, ready to be shared, at the right time, with those who continue to live in darkness and who need the Light of Christ. With us and in us, that through us, God might continue to be Emmanuel, God with us--God who comes to our world in flesh and blood, to be with us, even to the close of the age. The obedience of faith is a gift--yes a gift, as well as a call, not just for Joseph and Mary, but for each of us who are to be Christ-bearers. And Joseph is indeed, an example, a model that we can look to--to learn how it is that we can respond to God's call, by living the obedience of faith.

This final week before the Christ-Mass, let us consider Mary and her special calling to be "Mother of God"--but let us also acknowledge and ponder the one often standing in her shadow--Joseph, the faithful and obedient. Joseph, who can be an inspiration to us all!

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

The Rev. Dr. David M. Wendel
STS
Saint Luke’s Lutheran Church
Colorado Springs, CO USA
E-Mail: pr-wendel@saintlukes-cs.org

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