But
after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream
and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife,
because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. Matthew 1:20 (NIV)
Much is made of the young Jewish virgin Mary in her singular and wonderful role as mother of our Lord. She is mentioned from the conception of Jesus through His death and resurrection while Joseph receives peripheral mention.
Little is
known of Joseph outside of the nativity story. We do know he was a tecton,
a carpenter and handicraftsman, (Matthew 13:55), as was his foster-son, Jesus
(Mark 6:3). Joseph was living at the time of Jesus’ twelfth birthday (Luke
2:42), and long enough to sire biological sons and daughters through Mary (Matt.
13:55-56). Nothing more is heard of him in scripture after Luke’s final
reference (Lk. 2:48).
There is a
theme of a father’s virtuous legacy in Joseph for he was a righteous man and
faithful to the law (Matt 1:19). He discovered during their marriage engagement
that Mary was pregnant. They had not had matrimonial relations and he knew according
to the law she could be put to death for adultery (Leviticus 20:10). He decided
to divorce her quietly, probably to spare them both shame and embarrassment, and
saving her life in the process. God guided him in his trust and faith, assuring
and directing him by four dreams (Matt. 1:20-21, 2:13, 2:19-20, 2:22-23).
Joseph’s
adoption, care, and training of Jesus were exemplary and to be fully commended
in the Christmas account. He was as much a part in his fatherly influence in
Jesus’ upbringing as His mother who was blessed among all women (Luke 1:42).
Solomon speaks of the children of a virtuous woman standing in her behalf and calling
her blessed (Prov. 31:28). It is safe to say the same for the virtuous man and
father.
Joseph ben
Heli is to be remembered as that type of loving and nurturing man. He authenticates the kind of loving and virtuous leadership our
heavenly Father calls this generation of men to match, a leadership that leaves an indelible
and significant legacy. That is the greatest gift any man can offer his family.
May the
Christ who came to us as a child bless your celebration of His first advent and may the God-Man He grew to strengthen your heart to His return.
Wishing you
and yours a very Merry Christmas!
Maranatha,
Ken
