Joseph, A Good Family Man

Intro

This time of year people focus on the Christ child, which they should.

They also talk about the courage and faith of Mary. Again, which they should.

But we don’t talk very much about the other half of Jesus’ earthly parents.

In the opening of the Gospel of Matthew, we find that Joseph was a descendant of King David.

Scandal!

Matthew 1:18 NKJV

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

Mary was betrothed to Joseph,

This is more than the engagement we have today.

Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon 3423 μνηστεύω

mnesteuo /mnace·tyoo·o

Promised in marriage.

During this time of betrothal, Joseph would have been preparing a home for his new bride.

Now, before they “came together” in marriage, Mary is found to be carrying a child,

And it WASN’T Joseph’s!

Can you imagine how Joseph felt?

What was going through his mind?

Matthew 1:19 NKJV

Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.

Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon 435 ἀνήρ

aner /an·ayr/

Can mean husband or future husband.

Joseph, the future husband of Mary, had every right to expose the treachery she had apparently committed.

He could have exposed her and have her stoned for adultery.

He could have demanded the name of the man who had done this and demand his stoning as well.

John 8:3–5 NKJV

Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?”

The scribes and Pharisees were referring to the book of Leviticus

Leviticus 20:10 NKJV

‘The man who commits adultery with another man’s wife, he who commits adultery with his neighbor’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress, shall surely be put to death.

But Joseph, being a just man, a righteous man, did not want to make a public example of her.

Scripture doesn’t detail what Joseph had in mind.

Only that his plan was to divorce Mary and send her away.

Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon 630 ἀπολύω

apoluo /ap·ol·oo·o/

Maybe he thought to have her move to another town, where no one would know her shame.

Maybe come up with a story to explain an unwed mother alone with her child.

Although he had been shamed, he did not want to see Mary publically punished for what he thought she had done.

Revelation

Matthew 1:20–21 NKJV

But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

Hold on there Joseph,

God knows what Joseph is planning,

So He sends a messenger in a dream.

Don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife.

Why would Joseph to afraid to take a woman pregnant by another “man” as his wife?

There’s the scandal.

People may think it was Joseph who also committed adultery, that is why he wouldn’t put her away.

Even if it wasn’t him, some may think he was unwilling to fulfill the law.

Then you have the responsibility of raising another mans’ son.

And what happens when Joseph fathers his own sons?

Remember all the trouble Abraham had with Ishmael and Issac?

Or David with his sons from different wives.

What about any inheritance?

It’s not like Joseph had plenty of things to spread around.

This was not a simple thing, so yes, Joseph was scared to take on this responsibility.

But then the angel tells Joseph that the child was conceived of the Holy Spirit.

If Joseph wasn’t afraid before, he should be afraid now!

Imagine the responsibility of having to raise God’s Son.

Will He listen to his earthly father?

How would Joseph discipline Him?

Would his works and prophecies cause trouble for the family?

I mean, it certainly didn’t work out all that well with prophets in the past.

And talk about pressure, Joseph is to name this boy Jesus.

Literally, Jehovah is Salvation.

So God not only expects Joseph to marry Mary, but to raise His son who will be their salvation.

Not asking much, is He?

Matthew 1:24–25 NKJV

Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.

OK, God, here we go.

Joseph wakes up in the middle of the night, takes Mary as his wife, but does not sleep with her.

When Mary’s firstborn Son his born, Joseph names Him Jesus, just as the Angel of God said.

Good work Joseph.

You’re all done now, right?

Nope.

Labor Pains

Luke 2:4–5 NKJV

Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.

We all know the story of Jesus’ birth.

Remember, it was Joseph that had to take his very pregnant wife to Bethlehem.

Because he was of the house of David.

Luke 2:6–7 NKJV

So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Imagine you are Joseph.

You have traveled a great distance with your very pregnant wife.

She is about to give birth, but there’s no room for you at the inn.

And by the way, no mid-wife or other women who would normally assist in the birth.

That means Joseph has to help his wife delivery he child.

There’s no place to put Him but in a manger.

I bet this wasn’t how Joseph thought his little saviour would be born.

Visitors

Luke 2:15–16 NKJV

So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.

Now Joseph has to deal with visitors.

And it’s not like he can offer them the hospitality that was customary in the middle-east.

And it wasn’t just the shepherds,

Luke 2:17–18 NKJV

Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

No, those shepherds spread the word about the Christ child.

I wouldn’t be surprised of Joseph had to deal with a string of visitors who marveled at his adopted Son while his wife recovered.

Luke 2:22 NKJV

Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord

Now when Mary’s time of purification was finished, Joseph takes his wife and newborn son to be presented to the Lord, as required by the law of Moses.

But even this does not go smoothly.

Luke 2:25–32 NKJV

And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.”

I don’t know about you, but if someone had walked up and taken my newborn child in their arms, my first reaction wouldn’t have been very kind.

And of course, there is even more pressure put on Joseph.

His newborn son is not only bringing salvation, and glory to Israel,

but revelation to the Gentiles!

Oh-vey.

Luke 2:33 NKJV

And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him.

I bet they marveled.

And asked themselves, what they had gotten themselves into.

Of course, we know of at least some special guests that would come.

Matthew 2:1 NKJV

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem,

That’s right, we still have the wise men coming for a visit.

Matthew 2:9–11 NKJV

When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Well, at least after all of this turmoil, someone brought something to help care for the King of Kings.

Was Joseph thankful for the gifts?

After all, he wasn’t a rich man.

But was this something he would have to take care of and manage until his boy grew up?

It doesn’t appear he had much time to consider future investments.

Matthew 2:13–14 NKJV

Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.” When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt,

More orders from an angel of the Lord in his dreams.

It would be enough to make anyone an insomniac

So Joseph packs up his family and runs to Egypt.

At least until Herod dies.

Passover

Luke 2:41–42 NKJV

His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast.

Every year, Joseph brought his family to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover.

Kind of like families that come into town for Christmas.

Luke 2:43–45 NKJV

When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it; but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him.

Adam and Eve hid from God when they realized they were naked.

Jonah ran the other way from God and hid in the bottom of a boat.

Can you imagine Joseph trying to figure out how to tell God that he had lost His Son?

Luke 2:46–47 NKJV

Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.

No problem, you 12 year old boy is debating with the teachers in the temple,

And He’s holding His own in the debate!

Luke 2:48–50 NKJV

So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.” And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them.

Once again, mom and dad are amazed at this boy they are raising.

But once again, the parents didn’t understand Him.

Conclusion

And that is the last we hear about Joseph.

Look at how often he strove to do what is right.

To not make a public spectacle of Mary and her condition.

To follow God’s instructions, even if they didn’t make any sense.

To take on the responsibility of raising the Son of God.

And look at how often Joseph is ignored.

Sure, we expect so much to be focused on the Christ child.

That is the reason for Christmas.

But look at how much is focused on Mary, with little mention of Joseph.

It appears Joseph was there to do a job.

To be an earthly father to Jesus.

To provide the lineage that would have him born in Bethlehem.

To make sure the law was fulfilled regarding his circumcision and presentation to God.

To take Him to Egypt to protect His little life.

And to be an example of a Godly father.

At least until Jesus was 12 years old.

And all of this, with out fanfare and with little recognition.

We may not know what God has in mind for us, or why He tells us to do what we are to do.

But just as Joseph did, we are to follow God in faith and integrity, no matter the hardship it presents.

And I think that should be part of the Christmas story we celebrate along with the birth of our Salvation.