Joseph Who?

(Matthew 1:20 NLT).
“Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife.

“Are you kidding me?” Wonder why Joseph never asked that of the angel? You know, we are not told a lot about this man named Joseph. It is assumed he was a carpenter by trade because Mark in his gospel tells us that Jesus was a carpenter (Mark 6:3). We know he was a just man and a son of David (Matthew 1:19, 20). We know that he and Mary had other children, 4 boys and an undetermined number of girls (Mark 6:3). Joseph is one of those people that today we would say had his 15 minutes of fame in the Christmas story. He is portrayed in Christmas plays as the one standing beside the manger, holding a staff and smiling. I am sure he had a lot to say but the Bible does not record a single word of his. What the Bible does say about him is of great importance. Joseph was a man that obeyed God. Now you will not find that written per say anywhere in the text. What you will find is that he took Mary to be his wife, as the angel commanded him. You will find that he took Jesus to Egypt as commanded by the angel. You will find that he obeyed once again and left Egypt and took Jesus back to Israel. You will find that he obeyed God by way of a dream and took Jesus to Galilee to the city of Nazareth. The last snapshot we have of him is at Jerusalem when Jesus was twelve (Luke 2:41 – 50). When the people said that Jesus was the son of Mary about eighteen years later it is very likely that Joseph had died at some point (Mark 6:3). What you will not find is Joseph questioning anything that God told him to do or complaining about having to do it. In the history of the world this man Joseph should top the list in the Hall of Faith (Hebrews 11) but he is not mentioned. Wonder why?

Could it be because that he is not really Jesus’ dad? That would be my guess. If Joseph had of become a central character in the life of Christ then people may have confused him with God; Jesus’ real dad. Joseph had no problem doing his part in raising the Son of the Living God. Can you imagine how much more pleasant life would be for us if we could only have the same attitude and allegiance that Joseph did. Not wanting to be center stage but just doing what God would have us to do without questioning or complaining. His name was not on Jesus’ birth certificate but it is written in the Book of Life. What more would one want?