Reputation or Identity

Mt 1:18

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. p Mt 1:19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce qher quietly. Mt 1:20 But after he had considered this, an angel r of the Lord appeared to him in a dream s and said, Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. Mt 1:21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, 3 t because he will save his people from their sins. u Mt 1:22 All this took place to fulfill v what the Lord had said through the prophet: Mt 1:23 The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel 4 w which means, God with us. Mt 1:24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel x of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. Mt 1:25 But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus. y

1. Joseph was a tsadiq Scot Mcknight explains the Hebrew meaning that comes from understanding the word righteousness in context of this gospel is that Joseph was someone who studies, learns and observes the Torah scrumptiously. In Josephs world that means he recites and lives the shema daily, that he follows the food laws, that he supports the synagogue, and that he regularly celebrates the high holy days in Jerusalem. He was someone with a reputation, which is why it is mentioned of him as being one who is a righteous man in Matthew.

He is obedient to the heavenly dreams, but he is also called a righteous (see Justice, Righteousness) man (1:19), that is, one who upholds the Law. Thus, in 1:1819 he is depicted as caught between the holy Law of God and his love for Mary (McHugh). The intention of the Evangelist is to paint a picture of a devout Jewish man who is willing to give up what was often perceived to be a Jewish fathers greatest privilegesiring his firstborn sonin order to obey Gods will (1:24).(Green, Joel G.; McKnight, Scot; Marshall, I. Howard; editors, Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels, (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press) 1998, c1992.)
2. His reputation was going to be challenged Being a righteous man Joseph was in a dilemma because the one whom he was going to marry was pregnant. We are not told about the conversation that Joseph had with Mary, but you can just imagine what was going through the mind of Joseph. He was surely in a deep dilemma. What was he to do; his reputation was on the line if he indeed decided to take Mary as his wife. 3. He appeals to Torah

In the Jewish context, full betrothal was so binding that its breaking required a certificate of divorce, and the death of one party made the other a widow or widower (m. Ketub. 1:2; m. Sota 1:5; m. Git.passim) (R. H. Gundry, Matthew: A Commentary on his Literary and Theological Art, 21). If we were to go back again to plough our way in Josephs head, knowing that he is a righteous man and the implication that entails that, we would know that he would be one who would see what the Torah had to say about this situation. Mary could either be seduced or rapedappeal to Torah

If she was seduced- Both Mary and seducer would be stoned to death

If she was raped-Rapist stoned to death If no one confesses- she is to drink from the water of bitterness if she lives she is innocent but if she dies she is guilty Marys parent could produce tokens of virginity But we might have guessed that Mary would have told Joseph the nature of her pregnancy, conceived of the Holy Spirit. Joseph was clearly noted as thinking about this he had in mind to divorce q her quietly. 4. He struggles with God Mt 1:20 But after he had considered this The phrases he had in mindhe had considered mirrored the dilemma that Joseph had in making a decision. Was this God, really working? How can this be? But after he had wrestled with the thought he had a dream that would alter his consideration to divorce Mary. See verse 20-21. An angel came to him in a dream and told about the nature of Marys pregnancy and the call on the child on which was in Marys womb.

5. He buries his reputation and embraces Gods command Mt 1:24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. At this point Joseph had to make a decision and one that would ultimately alter his reputation as a righteous man in the eyes of people where he lived, among his friends and his society as a whole. Rather than just upholding his reputation, obedience to God was far more important. In that he found that his identity far outweighs reputation.

For our reflection Just like Joseph, we might have to sacrifice reputation in order to follow Jesus. Reputations may mean our social standing, our family heritage, our professional standing ect. Reputations can also be seen in terms of religious terms as well. Because following Jesus sometimes would wretch havoc. In instances where leadership requires that we make some decisions that might go against the current stream of things. Having a reputation is a privilege but also sometimes it is something that might take us in captive to radical obedience to God. Reputation can sometimes be a point of hindrance. What is important here is the gaining of identity in God (who I am) when we embark on the journey of obeying him. I think it is important for us to continually ask this question daily in our walk with God. Am I guided by reputation or am I guided by my identity in God following him in obedience in every step of his call.