Joseph, the Carpenter who Raised Jesus

The last two weeks in our evening service at church we've looked at the people who were given the privilege to raise Jesus. As I was looking at their lives it's evident that they were models of God worshipers, as well as men and women and parents. Their lives and characteristics set them apart, and they were blessed with the privilege of spending years with Jesus.

Joseph is one of the famous characters in the Bible, but he is seen in only four chapters of the Bible, two in Matthew and two in Luke. Later in His ministry people identify Jesus as the son of Joseph, but tradition holds that Joseph died before Jesus began His ministry. We know that Joseph was a carpenter from Nazareth, that his father was named Jacob, and that he is a descendant of David's son Solomon, who followed his father as King.

Scripture tells us that Joseph was a righteous man. We see in scripture that he waited on, and obeyed God. We see compassion in him, and the protectiveness of a husband and father. Joseph did what few men in his position would have done. He could have had Mary stoned for adultery. But instead he risks his own reputation and standing in the community to be obedient to God. He raises a son that isn't his, he sets an example of masculinity to a young boy, and to all of us today.

It wasn't easy, I'm sure it was intimidating. There is a line in The Nativity Story Joseph and Mary are on there way to Bethlehem, they talk about how they will know when Jesus is more then just a child. As they talk Joseph says, "I wonder if I will even be able to teach Him anything."

Joseph was obediant to God. He took on a task that would be socially frowned upon, and a task that no one would feel capable of, but he was blessed greatly. This past week I realized that Joseph had more one on one time with Jesus than anyone else who ever lived. The hours they would have spent together in the carpenters shop, the son learning the skills of the trade from His father. A boy having a man pour time into His life. Jesus was fully human, and as every boy does, needed a man to help Him become a man. Joseph would have talked with Him about God, about the scriptures, about worship and righteousness.

Joseph is a model to all men. We are to be examples of righteousness in our lives. We must be willing to do the difficult thing. And when we have the opportunity, we must pour into the lives of boys. We must teach them the things of God, the things that make a man a man. We must bestow masculinity and initiate boys into manhood. Joseph did this with the human side of Jesus, and Joseph was blessed with time with God. Joseph is a model of a man and of a father.

Peace be with you