Did Joseph even want to adopt Jesus?

The more I ponder Joseph’s feelings; the more I realize his opinion didn’t matter. What mattered was the spirit’s command – adopt Jesus.

“This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream 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. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save his people from their sins.’

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ (which means ‘God with us’).

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.” (Matthew 1:18-25 NIV)

I’m sure Joseph thought he meant well to divorce Mary quietly. But, his well-meaning instinct stood incorrect. We must learn to take our feelings out of kingdom business. Decisions based on a gut feeling, won’t get anything accomplished.

However, even though Joseph thought about leaving Mary, he didn’t make this quick decision. Instead, he pondered, giving time for God to speak. Likewise, we must be still and not take the first opinion that comes to mind as fact. Faith is a patient waiting – not a woman’s intuition, an answer written in the stars, or a sign in our toast. Even if we think, the decision we will make is Biblically sound, we should still stop and think, giving God time to gently impress upon our hearts the right answer.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV)

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