Joseph

 Joseph

Who is this guy? He has a walk on part in the Christmas story. He stands next to Mary and baby Jesus at the manger. What do we actually know about him? There are questions about him in the opening chapter of the New Testament. He is a man who walks on the stage of history and then disappears.

The genealogy of Jesus found in Matthew’s Gospel tells us that Joseph was a direct descendant of King David. We learn that Joseph is engaged to a young lady named Mary. Then Joseph hears through the grapevine that Mary is pregnant. As a gentleman he searches for a way to protect her. That’s when God steps in.

For me, the most amazing thing about Joseph is that he was open to not one but four different visits from an angel. Joseph is chosen by God to protect and care for Mary and her child, Jesus. What is in the character of a man to trust and obey the word of an angel, give up his dreams and lay down his life just because God asked him?

I googled Joseph on the Internet. Almost all the pictures of him are with a halo on his head. I don’t think Joseph had a halo; more like a massive headache trying to figure out if it was God speaking or bad dreams. Joseph was a straight forward man from a small town who dreamed of a quiet life with a family. God had other plans.

The name Joseph in Hebrew means “May God give increase.” From a human perspective Joseph’s part seems to be a cameo appearance. But there is something precious in a man who gives up all he has to follow after God. Joseph is a Kingdom man who exemplifies the character of one who walks with God bringing increase of life.

Thank you, Lord for all those Josephs who carry the burden of feeding, leading and protecting their spouses and children for they shall inherit the Kingdom of God.     “For the greatest love of all is a life that sacrifices all.”