So, what about Joseph?
I mean, he was there that starry night of the miraculous birth; but does he get overlooked sometimes?
We know that Jesus was God’s only begotten Son; He was not the biological son of Joseph.
Jesus was conceived in Mary when she was virgin by the Holy Spirit. God chose Joseph, however, to stand in as Jesus’ father on earth. Have you ever wondered, why Joseph?
What kind of man was Joseph? Have you given it much thought? Let’s look at scripture.
Joseph was a carpenter---it could have been he was a craftsman working with stone or wood; shaping, fitting, and making something strong and true. If he lifted, shaped, and fit stone together, he must have been physically strong himself. We find he had a strong moral character as we learn about him.
We think Joseph would have passed his experience, wisdom, and skills in craftsmanship to Jesus; so when Jesus spoke to the chief priests, scribes and elders and said “the stone that the builders has rejected has become the cornerstone. . .” (Matthew 21:42) he knew exactly what he was talking about --- both in the physical and spiritual world sense! As our Savior, Jesus shapes and fits us for His use. He is our cornerstone----and we are fit together around Him.
The cornerstone was the first stone set in a masonry foundation; all other stones are set in reference to this cornerstone. The cornerstone is the deciding factor in determining the position of the whole structure. Only Jesus can be the cornerstone; only Jesus saves us.
Joseph was merciful. According to Jewish law, a woman who had been untrue to her husband could be stoned. Joseph didn’t want to have Mary stoned or to even have her publicly disgrace (because she was pregnant before they consummated their marriage) so he thought to have her put away quietly in a divorce. Boy, the angel who came to visit him in a dream turned that idea around!
Joseph had faith and believed. The angel told him, “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. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:20b-21)
Joseph was obedient. The Bible tells us that “when Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.” (Matthew 1:24) Joseph continued to do things in the right way as he “did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.” (Matthew 1:25).
Joseph was brave. He had some challenges ahead! Later He had to get Mary and Jesus away from Herod who wanted to kill baby Jesus. Again the angel of the Lord told Joseph what to do; flee to Egypt the Jesus and Mary and stay until the angel came to tell him to return (Matthew 2).
May we believe, be brave, obedient, faithful, filled with mercy, and pass our testimony of Jesus Christ on.
Happy Birthday, Jesus; praise be to God for the babe and the Savior!
