“The strength of what we believe is measured by how much we are willing to suffer for those beliefs. Joseph was a man with strong beliefs. He was prepared to do what was right, despite the pain he knew it would cause.”Joseph also always tried to do things the right way, according to God. Mary told Joseph she was pregnant and at that moment he knew the child was not his because he had yet to lie with her because they weren’t married at that point in time. Joseph respected Mary’s character, still he had a hard time believing the ‘other man’ was God.
Acting in justice and love Joseph decided to quietly break off their engagement, thus avoiding the public shame that would surely follow had it been done any of way. It was at that point that God sent a messenger (an angel) to confirm Mary’s story and tell Joseph it was alright to take Mary as his bride. Joseph obeyed God. He didn’t lie with her until the birth of the child, thus honoring her virginity.
We have no idea how long Joseph lived, for the last mention of him was when Jesus was 12 years old. While alive, Joseph trained Jesus in carpentry, saw to it he had the best spiritual training in Nazareth and made sure to take the entire family to Jerusalem for Passover, which Jesus continued to do as an adult.
The angel’s message to Joseph galvanized his belief that Jesus was someone very special. That strong belief and his willingness to follow God’s leading empowered him to be the earthly father of Jesus.
STRENGTHS:
* A man of integrity
* A descendant of King David
* Jesus’ legal, earthly father
* A person who was sensitive to God’s guidance. He was willing to do God’s will no matter what the consequences.
WHAT WE LEARN FROM HIS LIFE:
* God honors integrity
* Social position means little when God chooses to use us
* Being obedient to the guidance we have from God leads to more guidance from him
* Feelings are not an accurate measuring stick regarding the rightness or wrongness of an action.
Up next is a spotlight on King Herod. Until then walk with the King and be a blessing.
In His name & for His glory,
Richard Keller
Bread of Life Ministries
Resource: The Life Application Study Bible
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