Humility is a character quality we notice and admire in someone else’s life, but usually do not tout in our own resumé.

It is no surprise humility is associated with Jesus. His service and servant attitude is a primary theme of the apostle Paul in Philippians 2:3-11. We also see humility in Joseph, who becomes the husband of Mary and, later, father of Jesus’ other siblings (see Matthew 13:53-58).

Modesty and the Message
We see evidence of Joseph’s modesty during his engagement with Mary. When Joseph learns the surprising news of Mary’s pregnancy, he opts for a quiet divorce instead of a public disgrace. He is not interested primarily in his own reputation, but rather a protective quiet divorce, allowed by the Mishnah without a public trial. Simply put, Joseph intends to do the right and legal thing in a kind way.

How often, when someone we love appears to be wrong, do we try to make ourselves look good, no matter what? That is not Joseph’s attitude. He will do the “righteous” act in the gentlest way he can. In the midst of that plan the angel of the Lord brings correction and assurance to Joseph: “Do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 1:20).

I don’t want to miss the obvious here! Discovering that a fiancée is expecting a child is shocking enough. Knowing that child is fathered by another “father” of necessity requires angelic intervention to prevent an immediate divorce. God intervenes in a dream to assure Joseph of Mary’s virginity and the fulfillment of God’s plan prophesied in Isaiah 7:14. This husband-to-be is humble and trusting enough to accept God’s message. Have you ever wondered how many times the Lord has tried to get your attention? I do! I think about my busy schedule, reputation, career, family, ministry, and my own sense of success. God may be speaking through a colleague, friend, or even a child to remind me of what he is trying to do through me.

In Joseph’s case, an angel captures his attention. We don’t know if it is the same angel who later speaks about protection of the infant Jesus in Matthew 2:13 and again in Matthew 2:19, 20. In all three of these instances, Joseph responds in obedience.

Submission Not Simple
Humility leads to obedience. It is that simple. But implementing that submission is complicated. It means:
• He will quietly arrange the wedding, take Mary as his wife, and endure any rumors.
• He will refrain from sexual relations until after Jesus is born.
• He will give this newborn son the name of “Jesus.”
• He understands that Jesus will be the Savior of the world.
• He will take his family to a foreign land (Egypt) for protection.
• He will stay away until he is instructed to come back to Israel.

Matthew records Joseph’s actions: “He did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him” (1:24); “So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt” (2:14); “So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel” (2:21).

This earthly, adopted father of Jesus walks on and off the pages of Scripture in these few verses and then is called “the carpenter” in Matthew 13:55. Joseph serves as a legal parent to the Son of God. Jesus the child is obedient to his parents (Luke 2:51). The Savior humbles himself to become a man and is reared in a home where the father’s humility illustrates obedience. Jesus intends to be obedient, and his earthly father, Joseph, leads by example.

Notice anything? In every instance, Joseph is humble enough to respond directly and immediately. Humility is necessary for obedience. Humility recognizes the lack of complete information and chooses to listen. Humility accepts an incomplete perspective and asks for instruction. Humility admits the error and accepts the correction. Humility recognizes that God is God and “I am not.” Humility realizes life is not totally about “me.” Humility is ready to say: “I was wrong!”

This humility stuff is risky business. Why? Because it intentionally chooses to listen to God in the midst of life. Who knows? It could lead to a life of obedience!

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* All Scripture quotations are from the New International Version, unless otherwise indicated.