Scripture Reading: Matthew 1:18-25
“Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.”—Matthew 1:24-25
Children are one of our greatest treasures, a gift from God. They are impressionable and follow the examples modeled before them. So, it is extremely important that those who come in contact with our children are of the finest moral character and virtue. With that in mind, who do you trust to be an example before your children? Even more, who would God choose to be the example before Jesus, the Son of God?
Mary is justifiably honored as the young woman chosen to bear the Son of God. Yet, sometimes we forget about Joseph. Joseph is not only the man who married Mary, but the man chosen to be the earthly father of Jesus. Scriptures never record a word Joseph spoke. Yet his selection as Jesus’ earthly father speaks volumes of his character. What kind of man would God choose to be the earthly father of the Son of God?
When his betrothed is found to be with a child who was not his, Joseph did not seek to make Mary a public spectacle, exact revenge or mete out justice by having her stoned. Instead, he sought to separate himself from Mary discretely through divorce and spare her embarrassment or death. Only when he is assured of Mary’s integrity, did he obediently take her as his wife.
As his actions demonstrated, Joseph was selected for this task because he was an upright man. A godly man of faith and high moral standards. One who would love, honor and respect his wife, provide for and protect his family, and serve as a humble example of integrity, love, and righteousness. Obedient to the law and the commandments to the best of his ability. A man who would be charitable, hardworking, honest, and faithful to his family and friends. He was a man God could trust with the Son.
Jesus, God in the flesh, would not need someone to teach Him to be holy and righteous, but the earthly father would be someone who would live a blameless life before God in the flesh. He would be a man who would exemplify the traits God would have modeled before the Son of God. In public and at home, day and night, consistently being a man of God before the Son of God. Not only by what was said, but by what was lived.
Christmas is the time we celebrate God’s greatest gift to humanity, Jesus. It also an opportunity to reflect on how God entrusted this gift of salvation to a human couple, divinely appointed to provide a family life for the Son. As we look at Joseph’s selection as Jesus’ earthly father, the question comes to mind for us men: would we qualify for the job? Would God see enough godliness in us to entrust us to be an example of manhood before the Son of Man? Would God consider us the right man for the job?
Question to Ponder: Would I qualify to serve as the guardian to the Son of God?
“And these words which I command you today shallbe in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to yourchildren, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk bythe way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.”—Deuteronomy 6:6-7