A Strange Way to Save the World || The Carpenter
“Are you getting up early tomorrow?” “Tell me you’re going to watch it before school!” “I have my alarm set for 4:30, so I can get ready before it starts and enjoy it before I catch my bus.”
These were the words that floated around my lunch table the spring of my senior year. I was more worried about my softball team making playoffs, but the girls at my table….were obsessed with the Royal Wedding.
It was a BIG deal that the Prince of England (not even our own country) was getting married. It was the talk of the town - the talk of every town.
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I remember the look on my sorority sisters’ faces two years later when the world found out Kate Middleton was pregnant. The long awaited heir was finally on his way.
The Jews have been awaiting their Messiah for centuries. They were waiting for their heir. This is how I imagine it:
King Herod becomes king of Judea. He attends the Temple one day and hears the Scriptures for the hundredth time, but this time it was different.
He heard the prophets tell of a King coming to save the world. He smirks, “This is about me.”
He worked hard to convince his people that it was him, but then his messenger can running into the throne room.
“Ssssssirr? Uhh...I...I….I have some news ffffffor you?”
“Spit it out, son.”
“Um...ummmm...ummmmm. The King….the King from the Ssssscccriptures? I….I…heard that. Well, you see the word on the street is...that...uh...that....he’s coming.”
“WHAT? I need to find this guy - get a scroll and some ink and tell Augustus. Convince him to call a census and call my three favorite wise men!”
(see Luke 2 & Matthew 2)
All eyes were on people like Augustus and Herod to be the Royal Savior. Instead a man with splinters in his hands, saw dust on his robe, and sweat on his brow was chosen to be his earthly father.
His name was Joseph. Joseph was engaged to a cute girl named Mary. But Mary….despite what the law says...was pregnant. It sure as heck wasn’t Joseph’s. And Joseph didn’t want that stigma following him around. One day while sanding down his work, he decided he was going to leave her.
“Yeah, that’s what I’ll do. Before it’s too obvious she’s prego, I’ll break it off with her. I mean the law says I can!”
Joseph went to bed at peace, or so he thought…
“Joseph! Hey, Joseph! Wait for me!” This glowing figure yells out to Joseph in his dream.
Joseph stops walking until the “thing” catches up to him.
“Who are you?”
“My name is Gabriel, you can call me Gabe.”
“Okayyyy? Can I help you, Gabe?”
“I’m an angel here on behalf of the Lord.”
“Yeah, I noticed the wings and the weird glow behind you……...umm, how can I help you?”
“I need you to hang onto your relationship with Mary.”
“No way, dude!” Joseph cuts him off, “She cheated! She’s pregnant! Not only that, but she’s crazy! She thinks that she’s carrying…”
(In unison): “the Messiah.”
Joseph looks at Gabe like a minion saying, “Whhhhuuuuuut???”
Gabe chuckles, “Yeah, funny thing is….it’s true. And God is entrusting you to be his earthly father.”
(awkward silence)
Gabe continues, “Joe…”
“Joseph,” Joseph replies, “my name is Joseph.”
“Joseph…this is why I need you to give this relationship another shot. I know what your reputation might become back in Bethlehem, but Joe...I mean Joseph...that reputation will fade. And the legacy you will leave for generations to come - will be life saving.”
(see Matthew 1:18-25)
You might have guessed it. Joseph decided to hang onto his relationship to Mary. He remained faithful to her. He was loyal to Herod’s command for a census. He was obedient to God.
Jesus, the Savior, wasn’t born to royalty. Jesus, the Messiah, wasn’t conceived by a celebrity. Jesus, the Lord, was born to a simple man of trade.
Joseph was under-qualified.
Joseph was unsophisticated.
But, Joseph was underestimated.
God qualified him, equipped him, and validated him to be the earthly father of Jesus.
God does the same for us. As we are called out to do radical things - things we are under-qualified or unequipped for - but God is our qualifier and equipper.
Like Joseph, we have to put aside our short-term reputation and work towards letting Him use us in His Divine Legacy, that will last longer than we will.
