Daily Devotions
January 22nd, 2025 by Pastor SolleyMatt 1:19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
KJV
What was it that made Joseph a just man before God? He was obedient to the voice of God as we noted on Monday. He took no pleasure in sin as we noted yesterday. We see also that Joseph was a man filled with compassion. He was minded, moved, to put Mary away privately so as not to cause her any shame and it would also free her up to go on with her life. The Old Testament penalty for fornication was death by stoning. Joseph was moved by more than his love for Mary as love is an emotion that can be moved easily by circumstances. Joseph had a compassion that was not touched or moved by circumstances. A compassion much like Jesus has for us today. We know that Jesus loves us, that God is love, but God is also filled with compassion. Compassion moves one to suffer, to feel, to have great concern for the troubles of others and Joseph was a man filled with compassion. We need to be the same as we people in need around us. Life is not about us, life is about Christ and serving Him and then doing for others in His name. Later we see the compassion in Jesus when a woman was brought to him caught in sin. (John 8:10-11
When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? 11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.) Joseph was a man of compassion.