The biblical portrait of Joseph, the husband of Mary, seems to portray a man who is hardly there at all.
He’s there for a few verses in Matthew, returns for a short encore, and leaves the scene as far as we can tell.
Yet, we know there is more to Joseph’s life than playing the earthly father of Jesus. Jesus grew up with four brothers and two sisters. Joseph faced the challenge of keeping his gang fed, clothed, and housed as they matured into adulthood.
He probably negotiated a few of his sons’ fisticuffs along the way, as well as ardent suitors for his daughters.
Much of that is supposition, but we have recorded 4 Times Joseph Stepped Up in his duty as Mary’s husband.
The 1st Time Joseph Stepped Up:
Joseph refused to humiliate Mary when she became pregnant without his involvement.
Matthew 1:19 says “he had in mind to divorce her quietly.”
The 2nd Time Joseph Stepped Up:
Joseph listened to another side of Mary’s story.
Matthew 1:20 says “an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream.”
The 3rd Time Joseph Stepped Up:
Joseph reconsidered his stand and took Mary for his wife.
Matthew 1:24 says “he did what the angel of the Lord commanded.”
The 4th Time Joseph Stepped Up:
Joseph waited until after Jesus was born to ensure there was no question about his divinity.
Matthew 1:24 says that “he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son.”
The Bible may not give us much about Joseph, but that doesn’t mean he played a small part in the life of Jesus. Joseph stepped up, and Jesus was vaulted into the annals of history as the greatest initiator of change ever born.
When we follow God, our role might well change the world.
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Code: FGO.J.29.19b.vp.esv