Monday, December 23, 2024
Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Joseph isn’t really given a lot of attention in the Bible. The 13 New Testament books written by Paul don’t mention him at all, nor does the Gospel of Mark. The Gospel of Matthew traces Joseph’s lineage back to King David, which is pretty important. This fulfills the prophecy that the Messiah would come from the “shoot of Jesse.”

We don’t know how Mary and Joseph met. If they followed the traditions of the day, Joseph would have been older than Mary. While they were engaged, he found out that Mary was pregnant. Scripture says this caused Joseph great pain and anxiety. Scandalous as this was in those days, he wanted to divorce her quietly. He must have loved her to be this merciful. He could have made things much worse for Mary.

An angel appears before Joseph and explains what’s going on. Mary was to have a child by the Holy Spirit, and He was to be named Jesus. I wonder what Joseph thought about this. I doubt that he fully understood what all this meant, but if an angel appeared before me, I think I would do what he said.

So, Joseph raised Jesus as his son. Since Joseph was called a tekton in the Gospels, which meant “carpenter,” I imagine he taught Jesus to use his hands and make things with wood. Joseph would have been a big part of the life of Jesus as he grew to adulthood. Joseph played this part well. When the ministry of Jesus began, there was no mention of his father. It is implied that Joseph died before the Crucifixion or even years before that.

Thank God for the people who helped raise you up, who have shared their life and skills with you, even those whom you knew only for a short time. Each person that God sends into our lives is an opportunity – for us to grow or for us to share. Joseph obeyed the angel of the Lord. What might God be asking of you?

Lynn Odom is married to Dave and tries to play a small role in the lives of others by encouraging them through cards.