This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 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. 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." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"-which means, "God with us." When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus. Matthew 1:18-25
Who is this Joseph? What do you know about him? Can you find the 14 times he is mentioned in scripture? Mentioned by name only 14 times for the man who raised the Son of God?! Joseph is the adoptive father who taught the boy Jesus how to be a man, how to love his family, how to be in relationship with God the Father. What an amazing responsibility. With our limited knowledge of Joseph, why would he be seen as a man of faith? What does his faith look like? What does his faith mean to you?
This might be off subject but it has to do with the Mercy Me song on our Christmas newsletter about Joseph...I have a friend who has struggled with his faith as of late and when he listened to the song he broke down and cried....so something as amazing as a man who loved Jesus so much with such faith and knowing all that was in store for him...is beyond amazing....to have such deep and profound love...trust...is just so amazing! Really Joesph was such an amazing man in so many ways.
ReplyDelete"I believe the glory of Heaven is lying in my arms tonight. Lord, I ask that He for just this moment simply be my child" - Joseph
ReplyDeleteYou are right on subject. It is amazing to think that a man of faith already - had it tested so greatly; not only to take Mary as his wife and face ridicule for doing so, but taking on the task of raising the Son of God. Joseph past the test because his faith was so strong. May our faith be so strong to serve as a witness that Jesus is truly the Christ of God!