A Tale of Two Fathers

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 1

Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, by whom Jesus was born, who is called the Messiah.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 1

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit.

19 And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned ato send her away secretly.

20 But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.

21 “She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 23

And a man named Joseph, who was a member of the Council, a good and righteous man

51 (he had not consented to their plan and action), a man from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who was waiting for the kingdom of God;

52 this man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.

53 And he took it down and wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid Him in a tomb cut into the rock, where no one had ever lain.

300 Illustrations for Preachers (Masters Champion Has His Priorities Straight)

Preaching Themes: Commitment, Discipleship, Family, Family_Fathers, Family_Children, Work

In 2014 Bubba Watson won the Masters Golf Tournament for the second time in three years. The prestige of winning the coveted green jacket given to the tournament champion makes Watson one of the world’s premier golfers. How does Watson view himself? His self-description on Twitter reads simply, “Christian. Husband. Daddy. Pro Golfer.”

After winning his second green jacket, Watson said, “Having my son means more to me than a green jacket.” His career took a dip between his first Masters win and his second, and he explained that part of the reason was the adoption of his son: “I had to be there for my son, so golf was the farthest thing from my mind. I took off some tournaments. Trying to be a good husband, a good dad, was the most important thing.”

Keeping our relationships with God and family highest of our priorities is a missing ingredient in many lives today. It is a lesson we can all learn.

—Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

I. Two of the most important men in Jesus’ life were present at the most significant times in His life

a. Joseph of Nazareth was present at His Birth

b. Joseph of Arimathea was present at His Death

II. Two of the most important men in Jesus’ life sacrificed all to protect Him

a. Joseph of Nazareth went against the religious tradition of His day, and when Harod went crazed he hid his family in Egypt

b. Joseph of Arimathea went against the decision of the Sanhedrin, and went as far to appear before Pilate

III. Two of the most important men in Jesus’ life are marginal in the meganarrative of the Bible

IV. Two of the most important men in Jesus’ life adopted Him and claimed Him as their own son