Steve Massey: Joseph’s choice an ultimate act of obedience to, love for God

I admire Joseph.

I’m referring to the Joseph of the nativity; the husband of Mary, Jesus’ mother.

I marvel at his obedience.

Here’s a guy engaged to a young lady who suddenly becomes pregnant and he knows he is not the father. In the culture of ancient times, let alone today, Joseph had every legal right to break the engagement and have Mary punished.

Every shred of passion and reason within him would have screamed for such an annulment.

“But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.’ “(Matthew 1:20 – NKJV)

Say what?

Obedience to God, from Joseph’s perspective, ran against all common sense and self-interest. Yet Joseph chose obedience, remaining with Mary, allowing himself to be a part of God’s plan to bring the world a savior, Christ the Lord.

Today, marriages – and other relationships – so often limp along for lack of obedience to God.

The Bible encourages us to use words that are truthful and impart favor, not pain. God’s word tells us to submit to one another in love. God’s word tells us to desire what is best for others, even at our own expense.

The trouble is we often don’t feel like doing any of those things. I know I don’t. Obedience is costly.

Try to imagine what Joseph might have felt in his embarrassing circumstances. The pull of pride and self-interest would have been powerful.

These days, obedience is not so much a lost discipline, but a rejected one.

Christian friends, the Bible tells us that God’s people are married to him: ” ‘Return, O backsliding children,’ says the Lord; ‘for I am married to you.’ ” (Jeremiah 3:14 – NKJV)

Followers of Jesus are called the bride of Christ. And Christ calls his bride to obedience: “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.” (John 15:14 – NKJV)

This call to obedience is not aimed at cramping our style or stifling our freedom. It’s aimed at liberating us from selfishness, freeing us to enjoy God’s best.

Priceless blessings accompany obedience to God: peace in our hearts, a clean conscience, and a sense of doing things right, no matter what anyone else thinks.

Imagine how strife between people would subside if we obeyed God’s golden rule – “Do for others what you would like them to do for you.” (Matthew 7:12 – NLT)

Imagine how families’ finances would be in order if we followed the words of God, rather than those of the folks at VISA or MasterCard: “… the borrower is servant to the lender.” (Proverbs 22:7 – NKJV)

Imagine how stress and anxiety would fade as we focused our thoughts the way God tells us to: “Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things.” (Colossians 3:2 – NIV)

I have to confess, my own objection to obedience at times comes from the thought of being owned. I mean, dogs obey because they are owned by their masters, right? Am I not my own person?

Well, not really.

The Apostle Paul so often described himself as a prisoner of Christ, a bondservant of the Lord. And he encouraged believers in Christ to embrace the same mindset: “You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price.” (1 Corinthians 6:20 – NLT)

Did you notice that last phrase?

The ultimate motive for obedience is not so much God’s ownership of us, but the immense love he demonstrated in acquiring us. The unborn baby whom Joseph obediently embraced as his own was Immanuel – God with us – who selflessly died on a cross to save us from sin.

Love of God, not self, fueled Joseph’s obedience. Love compelled him to set aside self-interest and trust in the sovereign rule of God.

And it was love that compelled Christ to obediently go to Calvary’s cross.

Joseph’s obedience to God was an ultimate expression of love for him.

So, too, is ours.