It's Tough to be a Man

This particular family had three small children who were determined to have a puppy. Mom protested because she knew that somehow or other, she would end up caring for the critter. True to form, the children solemnly promised that they would take care of it.

Eventually, she relented and they brought their little puppy home. The children named him Danny and cared for him diligently - at first. But, sure enough, as time passed, Mom found herself becoming more and more responsible for taking care of the dog.

Finally, she decided that the children were not living up to their promise so she began to search for a new home for Danny. When she found one and broke the news to the children, she was quite surprised that they had almost no reaction at all. One of them even said rather matter-of-factly, ''We'll miss him.''

''I'm sure we will,'' Mom answered, ''but he is too much work for one person and since I'm the one that has to do all the work, I say he goes.''

''But,'' protested another child, ''if he wouldn't eat so much and wouldn't be so messy, could we keep him?''

Mom held her ground, ''It's time to take Danny to his new home.'' Suddenly, with one voice and with tears in their eyes, the children exclaimed, ''Danny? We thought you said Daddy!''1

, Birth

Matthew 1:21–25 KJV 1900

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

2. After hearing from the angel who confirmed Mary's incredulous story, Joseph obediently accepted the role as surrogate father for the baby Jesus, the Christ child.

Jesus had a lil Mischief as a kid

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Luke 2:41–52 GW

Every year Jesus’ parents would go to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. When he was 12 years old, they went as usual. When the festival was over, they left for home. The boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents didn’t know it. They thought that he was with the others who were traveling with them. After traveling for a day, they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. When they didn’t find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. Three days later, they found him in the temple courtyard. He was sitting among the teachers, listening to them, and asking them questions. His understanding and his answers stunned everyone who heard him. When his parents saw him, they were shocked. His mother asked him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been worried sick looking for you!” Jesus said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you realize that I had to be in my Father’s house?” But they didn’t understand what he meant. Then he returned with them to Nazareth and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart. Jesus grew in wisdom and maturity. He gained favor from God and people.

5. Because of his obedience God allowed him to give the baby the name Jesus."

Men Must Work

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2 Thessalonians 3:10 KJV 1900

For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

Joseph was a carpenter and he probably taught Jesus the skill of working.

Working with your hands

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1 Thessalonians 4:9–12 KJV 1900

But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more; And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.

1. Joseph wanted to do what was right but with a spirit of compassion.

In verse 19 we see that Joseph was a good man and was going to break off the engagement quietly and not put Mary to shame.

It was Joseph’s right under Old Testament law to have her stoned. However, this was not his heart. He was a compassionate man.

Personal Shame

2. Joseph was obedient to the Lord even if it brought personal sacrifice and humiliation.

In verse 24 we see that Joseph was obedient to the instructions he received by an angel in a dream.

Now we need to remember that this was going to make him look like he was willing to marry a sinful woman. He was marrying a perceived fornicator.

This was going to cost him with public humiliation. He was going to “lose face” so to say.

Secondly, he was going to have to wait to consummate the marriage until after Jesus was born for Mary to stay a virgin until the birth of Jesus.

Not only was he asked to be chaste before marriage, but he was asked to be chaste even after marriage!

How many men are willing to do that?

3. Joseph treated Jesus as one of his own.

Take a look at how the public viewed Jesus and his relationship with Joseph.

Matthew 13:55 GW

Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary? Aren’t his brothers’ names James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas?

THEN THEY SCOFFED, “HE’S JUST THE CARPENTER’S SON, AND WE KNOW MARY, HIS MOTHER, AND HIS BROTHERS—JAMES, JOSEPH, SIMON, AND JUDAS.

Jesus not a Stepson

The public viewed Jesus as the son of Joseph. They didn’t see him as the stepson, or illegitimate son but as Joseph’s son.

Responsible Man

This was a man who took on the responsibility of raising a child who was not his own out of his love for the child’s mother and in obedience to God.

Be Like Joseph The Father Of Jesus

I would encourage all of you fathers, whether you are stepfathers or biological fathers, to step up to the plate as Joseph the father of Jesus did, and balance justice with mercy, become obedient at any cost and be the type of man that invests what you have into the lives of your children.