Introduction
God knows all of the secrets of the universe and the heart. He appoints many we wouldn’t expect, to great things, often in humility. These things are to further his Kingdom.
Over two thousand years ago, there was a humble carpenter, twenty-seven generations removed from King David, who had the destiny to be the earthly mentor and father to Jesus, the most important man in history.
Joseph had some contemporaries who caught up with him. They were wise men sent by King Herod to report back the location of the prophesied Immanuel.
Joseph: Step Father and Mentor to Jesus
There isn’t a lot known about Joseph, but there is enough. He was a righteous man. He was betrothed to Mary, whom he loved very much.
In the book of Matthew it tells us when Joseph found out Mary was with child, he was thinking on the option to “put her away privily”, which is to say, not marry her and separate from her quietly.
It would have been lawful for him to make a public spectacle of her, but he didn’t. Joseph was conflicted, but obviously just, and not vengeful. While he slept he was told by an angel of the Lord, in Matthew 1:20, “Joseph thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.” Mary was carrying the child of the Holy Spirit, who was to be the savior of his people, and he should not fear to marry her. The text says when Joseph arose from his sleep he “did what the angel had bidden him.” Joseph was notified of his selection as the earthly protector, father, and mentor to the savior of the world. He went all in. No pressure!
People say he was commanded. I think the word “bidding” here means selected. He needed no prodding once informed of the truth of Mary’s pregnancy. Joseph was a righteous man and dwelt on it no longer. He obeyed. He fulfilled his earthly destiny in God’s will. Willingly.
Joseph was a humble man, of modest means. He was a carpenter by trade. He was a cagey man who obeyed the directives of guardian angels with extraordinary faith. He successfully navigated hostile territory from Bethlehem to Egypt avoiding the murderous mandate of Herod, whose spies were to capture and murder the newly born savior. Many infants to the age of two were murdered as a result of Herod’s decree. Herod’s envy is well documented here.
Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, was an unsung hero and an example of an obedient servant of Christ who provided the proper mentoring necessary to raise up the most important man in history. Jesus. What a responsibility. What an honor.
The Wise Men: Sent of Herod
What’s not usually discussed [or often confused with the shepherds who came to worship the newborn] were the wise men who brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These wise men were sent by evil King Herod to find the newborn and report His whereabouts to Herod.
These were accomplished important men who served the king. They were allowed to witness the newborn savior as an infant in that humble manger. They could not escape the significance of the event. When they saw Him they worshiped Him.
For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required…
God required their silence to he [Herod] who sent them. Later as they slept, they were warned of God not to return to Herod. They neither divulged Jesus’ location nor returned to Herod. They chose to return to their homelands rather than betray this infant. These important and influential men obeyed God. They counted the cost, and chose to obey God rather than betray His Son. They were wise indeed.
Conclusion
It’s important today when men are ridiculed for being men, to have the foundation to ignore those who ridicule. We are to exemplify obedience to Christ, to our children. Christ’s followers have always been mocked, but what Christians should not discount, are the effects obedience to God’s will has on our posterity and eternity, in the form of blessings.
Joseph was the righteous man hand-picked by the Almighty to mentor our savior. There is no record of Jesus attending School, so it was likely that Joseph was a homeschool dad who mentored Jesus in carpentry. He was a quiet man of confidence who obeyed God no matter what. He married a woman whom he would have been justified in “putting away”, possibly by public humiliation followed by stoning.
The wise men were obedient to God in not returning to Herod as witnesses to Jesus’ location. They returned to their homelands rather than risk the vengeance of God. They proved to be very wise indeed.
God is no respecter of persons. Great and humble men from every class are appointed to accomplish His will. We can only know His will by being in the word and following scriptural ethics and wisdom imparted by the Holy Spirit. This happens through prayer and meditation on the word of God. This is the example we should set for our children.
I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and pray you will all settle on an important resolution for 2019. The resolution to meditate on the word of God and be steadfast in prayer, that you’ll find and fulfill your destinies in Christ as fathers and mentors, and that your family is blessed because of your obedience as humble servants of God; with no promise of thanks or rewards on earth.
This is the picture of a real man. This is the example of Joseph. This is his legacy.