"Obedience of Faith"

December 19, 2010
Romans 1: 1-7, Matthew 1: 18-25

In Matthew 1: 24, Joseph demonstrates his obedience to God even when faced with a wife-to-be who is "with child" that is not his. And in Romans 1: 5, Paul calls us to show our devotion to God through an obedience of faith – that same kind of faith in God Joseph had. Joseph was willing to risk everything as he responded faithfully to God's call. For it is in risking "what has been... for what may be," that faith is formed and enriched... transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary and allowing miracles to happen. Unfortunately, many of us aren’t quite there in our faith, and so are reluctant to risk what we have and who we are in submitting to the will of God... even though God's faithfulness is certain. Trust is hard at times... even in God, isn't it?

However Joseph, following a dream, was willing to risk everything for the miracle of Christmas to happen. So, today’s lesson about Joseph… is also about us. May I suggest that we are all called to let go, to have faith in a higher power, and to say YES to what God will do in us… and in His church. Regardless of what it may be, God is counting on it. Just as God was counting on Joseph to say YES to being the earthly father of Jesus, God is counting on our YES.

In Matthew, Joseph's "Yes" to God is crucial in establishing "the genealogy of Jesus (the Messiah), the son of David, and the son of Abraham." Without Joseph’s "Yes," Jesus does not have Joseph for a father... and a line of descent as the "son of David." Without our YES, our obedience of faith... whatever thing God is counting on doing in us and through us... whatever miracle... does not happen?

Obedience of faith is what we do when we follow Jesus’ way, close to God. The church and our connection to one another as the body of Christ helps to strengthen our bond with God. It’s this journey together that increases and grows one’s faith. That is why during the baptismal covenant, we promise to "surround the person with a community of love and forgiveness that they may grow in their trust of God." It is why a child’s parents promise to "nurture their child in Christ's holy church that by their teaching and example, the child may be guided to accept God's grace for them self, to profess their faith openly, and to lead a Christian life." Obedience of faith is not grown in isolation, but in communion with others who know God.

Matthew suggests that the birth of the messiah hinges on what Joseph chooses to do. It depends on Joseph's trust in God's involvement in everything that is going on. Joseph’s obedience of faith is an example of trust in God for all of us to follow. In those times of uncertainty, when life can be turned upside down or we wonder how we are going to deal with everything that is going on – to simply trust God IS enough.

Without Joseph’s trust, what happens? Does he send Mary away? Is the child, destined to save humankind, born? It is all up to him. By Jewish law the child is his if he says so... whether he's the biological father or not. By publicly naming the child, Joseph would establish that he is legally the child's father. According to Matthew, Joseph's choice is every bit as crucial as Mary's choice to give the child life. The Holy Spirit makes the child the Son of God who "will save his people from their sins." But Joseph's YES is needed to give the child a name: Jesus, son of David, from whose house the Messiah is to come. Joseph must trust God and he does. Joseph is open to the presence of God, he trusts, and he says, "Yes." Joseph shows his devotion to God through obedience that comes from faith. He takes [Mary] as his wife, a son is born; and he names him Jesus." Joseph's "Yes" mattered. So, too, does our willingness to say "Yes" to God's calling.

Some have said that Joseph is the person in the Christmas story most like us. He is presented with circumstances beyond his control, faced with a life far different from what he might have planned for himself. He has every reason to throw in the towel and divorce himself from the situation. But even as God trusts him, Joseph trusts God's presence in the muddled up mess of his life. He says, "Yes!" to God."

An obedience of faith leads us to where God would have us be. An obedience of faith leads to our doing what God would have us do. Placing our trust in God involves knowing God is right here, working through us. For Joseph, this meant being the father of Jesus. For us... well... it means being whoever God would have us be (as opposed to what we would be). Joseph, more like us than we can imagine, is our example. Joseph is able to trust God completely. For him, the soon to be born Jesus becomes a priority over everything else in his life. He does not fear the future at all. Someone once said faith is like "the bird that feels the light and sings to greet the dawn while it is still dark." That was Joseph’s faith… and is to be ours as well.

May the same obedience of faith be ours this Christmas season and for years to come.