Joseph's Dilemma (Part 6)

An Angel visits Joseph in a dream. (Image: Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of PE)

Joseph awoke suddenly, his heart pounding. He had gone to bed having finally decided what to do about his engagement to Mary. With a mixture of relief and sadness, he had fallen into a deep sleep. But as he slept, he began to dream. This dream was not the usual kind: worry about his shop catching fire or inspiration for a new idea for the things he made. No, this dream was quite different, vivid and more real.

Someone was calling his name. The voice was telling him that he should rethink what he was

planning. Mary was not unfaithful to him. The message from God was that he should go ahead and marry her. He, Joseph, had been called to be the protector and support of Mary and the unborn child she was carrying. This child would be like no other and would save his people. He was to be called Jesus in recognition of his role as Savior. Then the angel disappeared, and Joseph was roused from sleep.

Joseph lay there thinking for quite awhile. Mary had tried to tell him about the angel who had come to her, but he had been too shocked and wounded to give her story much credit. He had finally decided that either she had convinced herself that she had done no wrong or she was deluded by some happening that had resulted in her pregnancy.

The Angel said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 1:20)

Now, having had his own angel message, he realized that he had grievously misjudged her. There was no mistaking a real encounter with the Angel of Lord. This changed everything. There would be embarrassment and perhaps some resistance from both of their families, but the only thing to do was to marry as soon as possible.

When Mary arrived back in Nazareth, Joseph told her of the dream he had had and his decision about a wedding as soon as possible. This was all the more urgent, because they would need to travel soon. An order had come from the Roman government that all the men were to go to their ancestral homes and register. For Joseph, this meant a journey to Bethlehem, about 70 miles away. By himself, he could have walked there in about 4 days. But he had already decided that he couldn’t possibly leave Mary home. Although Mary was young and strong, her quickly advancing pregnancy would require a slower pace, so they needed to allow plenty of time before she was due to deliver.

So after the wedding and some preparation, Mary and Joseph set off on the journey that would change their lives. More than that, it would change the world.