Joseph, the Devine
Example
In the next couple weeks -- in churches all across
The fact is there was drama -- real drama -- surrounding that first Christmas story! It was real drama because no one tried out for the parts -- but they were chosen to play roles that marked them forever as historic figures. They are not only historical figures -- they have become figurines. I wonder what makes them so special? Why are their stories so compelling?
Since the birth of Jesus was a be a virgin birth -- there would be no need for a human male to father the child. However -- because Jesus was coming into this world as a helpless infant -- & since God was sending His Son into this world to live in poverty -- & not splendor -- there would be great need for someone to provide for the needs of this Christ child. Therefore -- God chose a man named Joseph to be the earthly care-taker of God's heavenly Son.
So in this great Christmas drama -- like any good drama -- there is a leading man. -- Someone had to play the role of Jesus' earthy father! We don't give much thought about the role Joseph played whenever we read the Christmas story. A lot of emphasis is placed Mary & her selection to become the mother of Jesus. Yes -- she deserves to be thanked -- & held in great respect -- but too often, we forget about Joseph. In all the Christmas pageants performed -- Joseph doesn't get much of a starring role -- but his part is so important. His task is to watch over Mary & the baby Jesus. Joseph played an important role of caring for the needs of others. And Joseph's commitment -- his example -- his lifestyle -- were very influential in the life of the Lord Jesus.
So when the Heavenly Father laid His only begotten Son in Mary's arms -- a divinely appointed foster father also adored the Holy Child. Facts about this highly favored man are few!
Someone wisely said crises do not make character -- but reveals character! Joseph's reaction to the situation in which he found himself discloses the inner character of this man chosen by God to care for Mary & for the Baby Jesus.
Interestingly -- Joseph is the silent character of the
nativity story! Not a single word from
his lips is recorded in any of the four Gospels. In the Gospels -- Mark never even mentions his
name. John only refers to him twice
while calling Jesus "the son of Joseph." In Luke -- he gets a little more respect --
as he seeks a room at the
One little boy wanted so very much to be Joseph in the Christmas pageant -- but when the parts were handed out -- another boy whom he didn't like -- was given that part -- & he was assigned to be the inn-keeper instead. He was pretty upset about this -- but he didn't say anything to the director. During all the rehearsals he thought what he might do the night of the performance to get even with this rival who got to be Joseph. Finally -- the night of the performance -- Mary & Joseph came walking across the stage. They knocked on the door of the inn -- & the inn-keeper opened the door asking gruffly what they wanted. Joseph answered: -- "We'd like to have a room for the night." And just to throw Joseph for a loop -- the lad playing the part of the inn-keeper -- suddenly threw the door open wide & said: -- "Great, come on in & I'll give you the best room in the house!"
For a few seconds the poor led playing Joseph didn't know what to do. But thinking quickly on his feet -- he looked inside the door -- past the inn-keeper -- & then said: -- "No wife of mine is going to stay in a dump like this. -- Come on, Mary, let's go to the barn." And once again the play was back on track!
Well -- only Matthew gives much attention to Joseph -- but even here he remains silent. Let's read Matthew's account as he records the Christmas story in Matthew 1:18-25 (NIV). This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.
His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
But after he had consider this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream & said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, & you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sin." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child & will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" -- which means, "God with us."
When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son.
And he gave him the name Jesus.
My friends -- Joseph was no ordinary man! From our Scripture lesson -- it is easy to see that Joseph was a man of compassion, integrity, decency & love. He was a man who honored God's will in his life; -- who was totally committed to doing God's will. Joseph was a humble man who was more concerned about what God wanted out of his life -- than about what he himself wanted. Joseph was a humble man chosen by God for a heavenly mission!
Joseph was the kind of person we should all strive to be like. I am sure that the Lord will not call you or me to go through just what Joseph went through. However -- God wants to use your life & my life for His glory -- just as God used Joseph. Think with me today about Joseph -- a humble man chosen for a heavenly mission.
1. First, Look at The Tragedy that Marred his
Life!
Oh, what shocking discoveries & shattered dreams! Joseph was engaged to be married to Mary -- but while Mary was still a virgin -- she became pregnant by the Holy Spirit. Joseph, her fiance -- being a just & righteous man -- decided to break the engagement quietly -- so as not to disgrace her publicly.
Can you imagine with me for a moment that you are Joseph -- & you find yourself in this situation. -- Your future wife is pregnant! That may not be as uncommon as it should be in these days -- but take it a step further. She is pregnant & you are not responsible -- but somehow you have to get everyone to believe that this is a God ordained miracle. It had to be shocking & it had to shatter every dream Joseph had of the wedding -- & spending his life with Mary.
While Joseph was a man hand-picked & personally prepared by God for this special mission -- his life was not without its trials & tragedies. In fact -- Joseph faced, weathered & overcame trials that would have derailed many a person! The tragedy of shocking discoveries; -- the tragedy of shattered dreams; -- the tragedy of sorrowful decisions.
No doubt like most men -- Joseph was looking forward to the day when he & Mary came together to share their lives. He was probably preparing the home where they would live. He was busy putting together all the things they would need as husband & wife. His days were filled with work -- & his nights with dreams about the future.
Then -- like a cruel slap in the face -- came the news that shattered all his hopes & his dreams! -- Mary is pregnant & Joseph is not the father! It must have felt as if his heart had been ripped from his chest. His world came crashing in around him; -- all his plans, his hopes, fell from his grasp as though they were grains of sand.
What a true portrait this is of the harsh reality of life! Life is what happens while you are making plans -- & often what happens really stinks! We do our best to make our plans -- & get things all lined up like they ought to be -- then something happens -- & we see our hopes, our plans & our dreams come crashing down! It breaks our hearts because it isn't what we wanted -- or what we expected -- & it looks to us as though it couldn't get any worst! But like Joseph -- we are blind to the fact that God is working behind the scenes! -- In fact, it is God Who often shatters our dreams! The things that take place in our life may not be accidents at all -- but rather are carefully arranged & planned by God -- designed to help us to grow -- & lead us to higher ground. That is hard for us to understand -- but it is still the truth! God works out His will in our lives in ways that we cannot even begin to comprehend.
Through the Old Testament prophet Isaiah -- the Lord says: -- "My thoughts are completely different from yours. -- And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. -- For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, & my thoughts higher than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:8-9 NLT).
My friends -- God's plans for you may not be what you would choose. But, His plans are always the best! -- even when at the time they hurt us deeply -- or frustrate us greatly! We may not like it when the Lord shatters our dreams -- but when every-thing has been said & done -- we will see that God's plan was -- & is -- the best plan of all!
One of my favorite verses in the Bible is found in Jeremiah 29:11. If you have not already done so -- you may want to look this one up & mark it -- & return to it over & over; -- Jeremiah 29:11. "'For I know the plans I have for you,' says the Lord, 'They are plans for good & not for disaster, to give you a future & a hope'" (NLT).
There is another Joseph in the
Bible -- the Joseph of the Old Testament whose path lead him from the place of
prominence in his father's house -- through a deep pit in the ground -- into Potipher's house as a slave -- & through an undeserved
prison cell. But in the end -- Joseph
sat in the place of power on the throne of
My friends -- if we are going to be used greatly of the Lord -- there will be some trials along the way. Before God can use a person greatly -- often He must bruise him deeply. It was true in the tragedy that marred Joseph's life -- & it is true in your life. But Joseph discovered something new & exciting in the midst of his tragedy!
2. So, Look at The Task that Marked his Life!
In the middle of this great tragedy in Joseph's life -- God placed a call upon him. God assigned Joseph a task that many would have balked at; -- but it was a task that Joseph embraced & completed by faith & obedience. A great tragedy may have marred his life -- but a great task was about to mark his life.
Joseph is told that he is not to break off the engagement with Mary -- nor is he to have her stoned; -- but rather he is to take her as his wife -- & he is to embrace her child as through He was his own Son. Joseph is given the responsibility of caring for -- & providing for -- the Baby Jesus! Joseph is handed a most difficult task -- but it is a task that is to forever mark his life!
After hearing what is required of him -- Joseph learns the amazing truth. The baby Mary carries is to be the fulfillment of the greatest promise God ever gave to man -- a promise that was given in the garden of Eden. For thousands of years -- the faithful have been looking down the corridors of time -- waiting for the moment when God would send His Redeemer -- the Messiah into the world. Throughout the Old Testament -- every lamb that was slain pointed ahead to the coming of this One Who was now being formed in the womb of Mary. -- All the prophets looked ahead to this glorious moment in time! Isaiah had said: "Look! -- The virgin will conceive a child! -- She will give birth to a Son & will call Him Immanuel -- 'God is with us'" (7:14). And again Isaiah had prophesied: -- "For a child is born to us, a son is given to us ... These will be his royal titles: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (9:6 NLT).
All of creation groaned for the day when this child would come & deliver this world from the bondage & the blight of sin.
Then -- Joseph hears the angel tell him that this child is to be named "Jesus." -- Why? Because He will be the One Who will save His people from their sins! -- His very name will define His mission!
I am sure Joseph does not understand everything that is happening. I am certain that he does not grasp all the importance of the moment.
But -- if he did -- then he would have understood that God was entering this world through the womb of a virgin. He would have understood that God was coming into this world in the person of a helpless infant. He would have known that Jehovah was coming to live in his house --learn his trade -- sit on his knee & grow up to die for the sins of mankind.
No -- Joseph probably did not understand it all -- but I believe he knew enough to know that God had just transformed what he thought was his worst nightmare into what would become his greatest blessing. He understood enough so that he was willing to put his shoulder to the task God had called him to bear with joy.
Often -- the way we look at life is like watching a parade go by while standing between two tall buildings. All you are able to see of the parade is that portion that is passing directly in front of you at any given moment. You have a memory of what has already passed -- but you have no idea about what is yet to come. -- You have to wait until it gets to you. But -- if you were to climb on top of one of those tall buildings -- you would be able to see the parade in its entirety. You could see the beginning -- the middle -- & the end -- all at the same time. -- There would be no surprises!
That is the way we see life -- isn't it? -- All we can really see is the part that happens to be passing before our eyes at the present time. We have a blurred memory of that which has gone before -- but we have no idea about what is coming our way. Our God -- however -- sits above it all. To Him -- there are no surprises! He knows the end from the beginning -- because He had planned it all the way through.
The best thing we can ever learn to do is to simply trust Him to bring the best into our lives day by day. Even when our lives are shattered -- & our hopes are dashed to pieces on the jagged rocks of reality -- we need to trust the truth that our Heavenly Father is still in control -- & He will take care of His children! Despite what you & I may think at times -- God does know what is best for us! May we never forget that it is from the wreckage of our greatest hurts that God often builds for us the greatest of blessings! Just because the way is dark, don't stop holding to His powerful hand.
He may lead you through some dark places -- but He will never forsake you in any of them. Wherever His path leads you -- you can count on His provisions to be sufficient for the need of the hour.
When your life lies broken around you; -- when your plans have been destroyed before your eyes -- & your hopes have all been dashed at your feet; -- remember -- it may look bleak from our perspective -- but God is working out His good & perfect will in your life & mine. So -- may we walk with confidence -- with our hand held safely in His grasp -- even when we cannot see the way -- or understand the why. My friends -- God does have a plan for your life! The task He has for you to fulfill may not always be easy. But along the way -- there will be some times when Heaven will brush up close to the earth -- & God will give us a little glimpse of that which He is doing in our lives. It is those moments that make the tasks He assigns bearable.
Now -- we have considered the tragedy that marred Joseph's life. We have also looked into the task that marked his life. Let's take a moment to think about the testimony that measured his life. -- For -- in Joseph's response to the tragedy & to the task -- we are given a priceless glimpse of Joseph's testimony.
3. So, Look at The Testimony that Measured His
Life!
The real evidence of the depth of a person's character is seen in what they do with what they are handed. It is one thing to be placed in a time of testing; -- but it is another thing altogether to respond to that test in a proper manner. Without a test -- there can be no real testimony! It is one thing to be called to carry out a task for the Lord; -- but it is another thing altogether to do that task without question.
Look at verses 24 & 25 -- "When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord commanded. -- He brought Mary home to be his wife -- but she remained a virgin until her Son was born. -- And Joseph named him Jesus" (Matt. 1:24-25 NLT).
Most men would have walked away from the Lord & from Mary at that moment. -- But not Joseph! There is no doubt but that people talked about this young couple that had been unable & unwilling to wait until they were "properly married." At this moment in Joseph's life -- he was not interested in what the community thought about him; -- he simply wanted to carry out the will of the God for his life. In spite of his questions -- his fears & his concerns -- Joseph sets out by faith to obey the Lord. -- What a testimony!
Even when he took Mary into his home -- he refrained himself from physical contact with her. -- He obeyed the Lord & preserved her virginity until after Jesus had been born. He is also willing to place his own desires -- needs & rights -- on the back burner. -- He wants nothing more than to do the perfect will of God. Again, I say: -- What a testimony!
When the child was born -- Joseph took the next step of faith & named the child Jesus -- just as he had been commanded by the angel. Joseph never faltered as he perfectly carried out the commands of God for his life. In spite of the fact that Joseph has been called upon to believe the impossible -- & to do the incredible -- he never wavered. He did what the Lord told him to do! -- What a testimony!
As we walk faithfully with the Lord & in obedience to His will -- we will discover that the Lord has a plan to use us for His glory. We also learn that this plan may be very difficult for us to carry out. There may be some rough places along the way. There may be some significant bumps in our paths. But genuine faith in God never seeks the easier road! Faith is willing to go where God leads -- regardless of the cost -- & regardless of the consequences.
Real faith says: -- "On the surface -- this looks like the worst thing that I have ever faced. -- Still, I know God has gone ahead of me -- & that He had planned the path I will take. Therefore -- I will not look to the right or to the left -- but I will faithfully place my feet in the foot prints He has already left in front of me. -- I will follow Him wherever He sends me -- & I will not turn back -- in spite of what I may face. It may look like a nightmare at this moment; -- but I know that His plan is the best plan -- & that He will take this tragedy & turn it into a triumph! Therefore, -- I say, 'Here am I -- send me, Oh Lord!'" Are you willing to follow Joseph's example -- & be totally surrendered to God's will today?
Conclusion: God used Joseph in the life of Jesus in a powerful fashion! God took a poor, humble carpenter -- & used him to carry out an important heavenly mission. No doubt Joseph was very involved in the life & training of Jesus as a young man. Did you know that God is still looking for special people He can use to carry out His will in the world today? I am certain that God will never ask you to do what He asked Mary & Joseph to do. -- But I am certain that God has plenty of difficult assignments that need to be fulfilled. He is looking for people who will follow Him in spite of the tragedies of life. He is looking for people who will take of the tasks He assigns them & do His perfect will. He is looking for people who possess the right kind of testimony -- & who will walk with Him until their assignment is completed. Are you that kind of person?
Maybe you are one of those people who has watched as your dreams have become nightmares; -- you feel overwhelmed by the task you have been assigned. Why don't you get before Him & lean on Him for the grace you need to complete your mission. I don't know your heart -- or your need -- but I know the God Who will help you!
Pastor Lyle Pettit -- Wynne Chapel -- Cochise, AZ
www.wynnechapel.org