The Importance of Being a Godly Leader Matthew 1:18-25

Introduction Mark 10:45

I recently made a Facebook post that spoke about men failing in our leadership role as God ordained it. We took our role as leaders to mean we had control over others whether they be women, children, or other men in roles or positions lower than our own. Think about the worst leader in your life. I bet they were micro-managers, they had to have every ounce of control and power possible. However, God calls us as men to be spiritual leaders, and servant leaders. Today we are going to talk about a person that does not get talked about much, and the example he set as a Godly leader in his household. Today we are going to talk about the earthly father of Jesus, Joseph. We don’t have much information about Joseph, but we get a few interactions with him before and around the birth of Jesus. But I can tell you this, if God was so careful with the selection of Mary, He wanted a righteous, Godly woman to be the mother of the Messiah, would He not also be that careful with the selection of the earthly father of Jesus?

Matthew 1:18 The betrothal of Mary and Joseph

Espouse means to be betrothed, or engaged.

This is a legal, binding engagement. For all intents and purposes except for the ceremony and actual consummation of the marriage, Joseph and Mary are considered married.

Why would God not just allow Jesus to be born to an “honorable” virgin? For the protection of both Mary and Jesus.

Mary would need the help, guidance, and protection of a Godly man, the marriage provided her with a help-meet in her time of need.

It was better to be called “the son of a carpenter” than “the son of a harlot” Matthew 13:55

Matthew 13:55 LEB

Is not this one the son of the carpenter? Is not his mother called Mary and his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas?

Mary and Joseph prove the importance of being equally yoked in your marriage. Do not be yoked believer with unbeliever, because the unbeliever will not be able to live up to their God-given responsibilities 2 Corinthians 6:14

2 Corinthians 6:14 LEB

Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers, for what participation is there between righteousness and lawlessness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?

Where Joseph Deviated From the Law Matthew 1:19, 1:24-25 Dueteronomy 22:23-24

Jesus told the Pharisees that the commandments to love thy God with all thy heart and love thy neighbor as thyself were the two greatest commandments. Joseph exemplified this here.

The angel calls attention to Joseph’s lineage to put him in mind to receive the knowledge of his relationship to the Messiah

The angel eases his fears of marrying Mary. Imagine thinking your wife has cheated on you, and God tells you it’s HIS child in your wife’s bosom!

Joseph showed his faith by taking Mary to wife, but not “knowing” her until after the birth of Jesus

Conclusion

Joseph showed maturity, grace, and compassion in his God-given role. He sets a good example for how Christians should act as Godly husband, fathers, and when we feel that we have been wronged. Jesus told us to love our neighbor as ourselves, Paul showed us how to love strangers who have wronged us, and Joseph shows us how to love those closest to us that we feel have wronged us. (Mary never wronged Joseph, but it seemed that way at first).