Blessed Father of the Lord
This morning early, I had a doctor’s appointment with a neurosurgeon. This was a follow up consultation from the MRI on my neck last month. It seems that his assessment was positive in terms of not needing surgery to correct some “spinal stenosis” in two neck vertebrae. I told him that I feel that I have gained strength and stability over the last six months.
This afternoon, I enjoyed a productive planning meeting for next year’s National Day of Prayer event for northern Colorado.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “When Joseph woke up, he did what the Lord’s angel told him to do. He married Mary. But Joseph did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And he named him Jesus.” Matthew 1:24,25 ERV
I recall my pastor making a reference to Joseph as he was sharing last year’s Christmas series. He commented about Joseph not getting the attention that he probably deserves when we reflect on the birth of Jesus. We certainly see and understand the revering of Mary as the “mother of the Lord.” We see Mary’s own words in response to the news of the angel, “From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name.” (Luke 1:48,49 NIV)
Certainly Mary deserves proper recognition for her obedience and the life she lived as the “Lord’s mother.” She was the person who gave Him birth and raised him to manhood. She was at the cross and the tomb. She was in the upper room on the Day of Pentecost.
History is uncertain as to what happened to Joseph. It is presumed that he died when Jesus was still young. But what we do know about Joseph is significant. Joseph was not just an “innocent bystander” to the events of Jesus birth and early years.
Joseph is connected to the lineage of King David. This was critical for the Messiah was to be the “Son of David.” Joseph not only fit the qualifications by virtue of his heritage, but by his character as well. Scripture refers to him as a “righteous” or “just” man. The one selected to give birth to the Messiah needed a special husband to journey with her through the days of confusion, turmoil and difficulties.
In Joseph we a man of truth and mercy. When it was discovered that Mary was “with child” he knew what the law said, but his love for Mary and desire to show mercy moved him to take action “privately.” It was said of Jesus that He was, “full of grace and truth.” These qualities were not only those of His heavenly father, but his earthly father as well.
Joseph was a made to whom the Lord revealed Himself. Mary received the original annunciation of the angel about becoming pregnant with the Messiah. However, it was to Joseph that the Lord appeared to three times in a dream or vision to give timely instructions on what to do and when. The birth of Jesus was entrusted to Mary, the care for Jesus and his mother was entrusted to Joseph.
Joseph was a man of action and obedience. He was obedient in terms of his personal conduct toward Mary, was well as giving heed to the warnings and messages he received from the Lord. Those decisions and actions would not have been easy. But they were necessary to not only save the life of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, but as we can see, to fulfill prophecy as well.
Joseph was willing to lay aside his own desires and rights. This was not just in his physical relationship with Mary, but in surrendering the right to have a “firstborn son” named after himself. Part of Joseph’s obedience is sated as, “he named him Jesus.” Jesus would be referred to as the “Son of David” “Son of Man” “Son of God” more than the “son of Joseph.” Only on one occasion in scripture do we see Jesus referred to as the “son of Joseph.” (John 6:42) We see that any plans Joseph would have had for the first few years of Jesus life would have been radically changed. Obedience and flexibility would be what characterized his life during the early years after the birth of Jesus.
Joseph was more than “just in the background” of the birth and early life of Jesus. When the Lord selected Mary to be the mother of the Lord, it was also critical for her to have the right man of God in her life to earthly father the Son of God. It is important to see that God selected the right woman and the right man, at the right time in history to make history in His plan of redemption.