Think about the most respectable man you know. Perhaps it is a family member, a close friend, or a pastor? Maybe it is your own sweet husband?
Joseph is a man we do not know much about from Scripture, but with what we do know, we can see that he was a very respectable man. It is not easy to take on the task of marrying a pregnant teen virgin, but Joseph trusted God’s plan. The Lord specially selected Joseph to be Jesus’ earthly father, a responsibility that I am sure humbled Joseph daily and refined him in many ways. How is one really a father to his own heavenly Father? This great mystery is something only Joseph himself will ever truly understand.
Today we continue our eight-week character study of the birth of Jesus, looking into the person of Joseph.
“So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them” (Luke 2:4-7).
Joseph’s genealogy is revealed at the start of Matthew 1. Joseph was in the line of King David, fulfilling the prophecies of Jesus’ birth within the a royal lineage. It is important to note that Mary conceived Jesus fully by the Holy Spirit. She and Joseph never knew each other in a sexual way until after Jesus’ birth (Matthew 1:25). Joseph was technically the adoptive father of Jesus, since Jesus did not share Joseph’s blood line. But He did share his legal family tree.
“And Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah” (Matthew 1:16).
This fact is important for the fulfillment of the Messiah’s coming, predicted in the Old Testament (Isaiah 7:14). This speaks a lot to the charter and integrity of Joseph. Many men would have likely slept with Mary knowing she was pregnant anyway. Why not? But Joseph took his calling seriously. His desire to be obedient to God and to honor his wife was more valuable to him than any physical pleasures or wants on this earth. Joseph exhibited self-control and purity. He honored his body, Mary’s body, and the Savior in her womb.
However, Joseph was confused at the news of Mary’s pregnancy (like anyone would be). He is described as a man who was faithful to the law and planned to divorce her quietly when he found out (Matthew 1:19). But the angel of the Lord came to Joseph in a dream and confirmed this miracle pregnancy and his role. He also gave Joseph the name of the child, Jesus (Matthew 1:20-21).
We see that Joseph was a faithful follower of Yahweh. He immediately responded in obedience and love for Mary and his Messiah.
“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 1:24-25).
Joseph’s love and dedication reminds us of God our Father’s love for us.
Joseph and Mary honored the law and took Jesus to be dedicated at the temple (Luke 2:22-40). There, Jesus was confirmed as the Messiah by the priest Simeon and the prophetess Anna.
Other than at Jesus’ birth, the only other place we read about Jospeh is when a twelve-year-old Jesus is left behind at the temple on accident (Luke 2:41-52). I think about how Joseph and Mary took Jesus for that first temple visit. I wonder how it must have been so special to them as they visited every year after for Passover (Luke 2:41).
We never see mention of Joseph in Jesus’ adult ministry. Many believe he passed way sometime between when Jesus was 12 and 30. We do however know that Mary and Joseph went on to have other children of their own after Jesus.
“Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things” (Matthew 13:55-56)?
1. Joseph Was a Carpenter
Matthew 13:55 reveals that Joseph was a carpenter, which would have been a humble position. Joseph was by no means fancy in the world’s eyes, but he was a craftsman – a faithful follower of God and a wonderful husband and father. Joseph is a man worth modeling our lives after, from what we read of him in the Scriptures.
I also find it no accident that, after growing up with his own father as a woodworker, Jesus would one day be hung on a wooden cross to die. I think about all of the times Joseph probably showed Jesus his work and taught Jesus how to be a carpenter. It could have led Jesus to ponder His future sacrifice for his father’s sins and the sins of the world. He came on a mission. It was not going to be easy, but something beautiful would come from His sacrifice.
2. Joseph Was from Bethlehem
Joseph was from the town of Bethlehem. He was a small-town boy who needed to go back home during the census (Luke 2:1-5). Joseph was a man who honored the law of God and the law of the land. He went to register with Mary, and there she gave birth to Jesus.
3. Joseph Might Have Delivered Jesus into the World
This thought cannot be completely confirmed with Scripture, but rather is an observation based on Matthew 2:7. Joseph might have delivered Jesus. He would have had the honor of helping his wife Mary bring the Savior into the world. Regardless, if someone else was there or not, Joseph was present for the miracle birth and one can only imagine what thoughts went through his finite mind.
“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them” (Matthew 2:6-7).
From Joseph, we see that God’s will is always better than our own. Sometimes faith leads us to actions that the world around us does not understand. However, purity and integrity are of great worth in the eyes of God.
The Lord is using us and wants to work in our midst, even if our situations seem humble or unimportant to the world. Finally, from this miraculous story, we see how fatherhood is a valuable gift from God and men are called to lead and love their households well.
More in this series
Mary
The Inn Keeper
Baby Jesus
The Shepherds
The Animals
The Angels
Emma Danzey’s mission in life stems from Ephesians 3:20-21, to embrace the extraordinary. One of her greatest joys is to journey with the Lord in His Scriptures. She is wife to Drew and mom to Graham. Emma serves alongside her husband in ministry, she focuses most of her time in the home, but loves to provide articles on the Bible, life questions, and Christian lifestyle. Her article on Interracial Marriage was the number 1 on Crosswalk in 2021. Most recently, Emma released Treasures for Tots, (Scripture memory songs) and multiple books and devotionals for young children. During her ministry career, Emma has released Wildflower: Blooming Through Singleness, two worship EP albums, founded and led Polished Conference Ministries, and ran the Refined Magazine. You can view her articles on her blog at emmadanzey.wordpress.com
He is a cross pendant.
He is engraved with a unique Number.
He will mail it out from Jerusalem.
He will be sent to your Side.
Emmanuel
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