JOSEPH’S CONTRIBUTION
Richard Harris
Today’s Scripture: “When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.” Matthew 1:24-25
Theme: What you sense from God may cause confusion and tension, just as the coming of Jesus did. Do it anyway.
THIRTY-SEVEN WORDS
There is no other in Biblical reference that compares to the story of Joseph; the earthly father of Jesus. In today’s Scripture, we can learn much about Joseph in just thirty-seven words. This information says a lot, in that Joseph is only referenced about a dozen times throughout the entire New Testament. So, what is it that Matthew 1:24-25 reveals to us?
First, we see that Joseph was visited by an Angel of the Lord. This indicates that the Lord knew Joseph to be a righteous man, who loved God. Matthew 1:19 tells us that Joseph was a just, righteous, upright, and honorable man, who was faithful to the law. He and Mary had been chosen by God because of their faith, love, and obedience.
We also learn that Joseph and Mary were engaged (some versions use the word “betrothed”), which at that time meant a much more official pairing of man and woman in a vowed ceremony. To break this betrothal was as serious as divorce. This angelic visit relieved Joseph of the confusion and tension he experienced when informed of Mary’s pregnancy. So this Scripture tells us that Joseph kept his wife and did not sever their marital agreement, in obedience to God.
Next, we know Joseph did not consummate the marriage until Mary had given birth, again in obedience to God. This reveals a lot about Joseph, the husband. Being a righteous man, he remained faithful to God’s plan to bring about a virgin birth, just as he remained loyal to Mary.
Another insight from Matthew 1:25: “And he called his name Jesus.” Due to customs of the day, when a man names the child, he has committed to raising that child. It was a declaration of accepted parenthood. This verified that Joseph overcame his initial reaction to Mary’s assumed unfaithfulness. During that time of doubt, Joseph’s original thought had been to quietly divorce Mary so as not to shame or embarrass her. Yet Joseph, as a righteous man, chose the right path of a devoted husband and father. The visit and vision from the Angel had spoken directly to his fears.
The angel’s visit was timely in that it allowed for Mary and Joseph to travel together to the place of Jesus’ birth--to Bethlehem--because Joseph was of the lineage of King David. In this way, the prophecy was fulfilled that the Messiah would be born in the town of David.
Another inference from those thirty-seven words: Mary and Joseph received the same message, showing that God works with people. They accepted their roles and became part of the greatest story ever told. Lesson learned: Obey the voice of the Lord.
BONUS DAD
You may be the person, or know someone, who was raised by a loving stepfather. When it is a fruitful relationship, the father who parents the child is a good, responsible role model. An affectionate term used today is “Bonus Dad.” The Bonus Dad helps raise the child, teaching them to think and act positively. Maybe they teach them a trade as part of their education. They become a huge part of that child’s support system through life. To Jesus, Joseph was that “Bonus Dad.” One can only imagine Jesus as He spent time with Joseph, learning the ways of a carpenter and the conversations that probably took place. Everybody's wisdom is formed by their environment while growing up. I assume many of the routine things a child must learn were taught to Jesus by Joseph. Perhaps some of His future wisdom or the parables He told were informed by interacting with His earthly father, His Bonus Dad.
Make It personal: We can assume that Jesus enjoyed the benefits of having two fathers. Do we not share the two-father paradigm with Jesus? “Our Father, who art in Heaven …” Jesus taught us that God is our Father. That is the most endearing name we can call Him. We also have an earthly father. Joseph was this person for the Son of God. Jesus shared His Father with us (John 20:17). Men, your fatherhood can pass down a rich inheritance, reminiscent of our Heavenly Father. Original sin is passed down through earthly fatherhood, but the redemption from sin given to us through God our Heavenly Father. Through this redemptive relationship, we are welcomed into the family of God.
Pray: Almighty Father; may we, as earthly fathers and mothers, be faithful at all times in our parenting duties to achieve our high calling. We ask for Your grace - and by Your glory and mercy- for the eternal life and happiness of our children. All this we pray in the Name of your true sacrificial earthly Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Read: Matthew 1:18-26; Proverbs 22:6; Luke 1:27; John 2:48, 6:42, 20:17
Weekly Memory Verse: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14, ESV