Joseph is engaged to Mary. In that culture, engagement was as binding as marriage. And Joseph discovers Mary is pregnant. But the child isn’t his.

Now, put yourself in Joseph’s sandals. He knows what that means. There’s only one explanation—at least, only one that makes sense to a reasonable man. She’s been unfaithful. And yet, she tells him this unbelievable story: that the child was conceived by the Holy Spirit.

So what does Joseph do? He does what many of us would do when life falls apart—I imagine he seeks counsel. Perhaps he visits his rabbi. Explains the situation. Lays it out. And the rabbi, with sincerity and seriousness, says, “Joe, you can’t go wrong if you just do what the Bible says.”

Now that’s good advice, right? “Do what the Bible says.”

Well, maybe. But let’s remember what the Bible said—Deuteronomy 22:21: “She shall be brought to the door of her father’s house and there the men of her town shall stone her to death.” That’s the Law. Book, chapter ad verse. It was black and white.

But Joseph’s response wasn’t.

Matthew 1:19 tells us, “Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, resolved to put her away quietly.”

What do you make of that? Scripture calls Joseph righteous. Not because he enforced the letter of the law—but because he showed mercy. He didn’t react with rage. He didn’t drag Mary’s name through the mud. He didn’t post some angry tirade on social media. He resolved, quietly, to act with compassion.

You see, righteousness isn’t truly about keeping the rules. It’s about reflecting the heart of God. It’s not less than holiness—but it’s more than legalism. It’s not just about being right—it’s about being like God.

Maranatha,

Jordy