Joseph is another character in the Christmas story that we can’t ignore. 

In addition to Mary, Joseph played such a major role in the birth and raising of Jesus. Even though Jesus, is the Son of God, as a child, teenager, and young adult, He needed a father figure here on earth. 

And, that’s what Joseph was for to provide a safe place for Jesus. 

There’s not much written about Joseph in the New Testament at the exceptions of a few places. Two of these are Matthew 1: 18-24; 2:13-15. I would encourage you to read both chapters 1 and 2. You can also read Luke 2. 

What can we learn from Joseph? 

Joseph was a part of God’s bigger plan for all humankind. That comes out of the fact that he was a descendant of both Abraham and David. See Matthew 1: 1,2. 

Why is this so important? 

There are three reasons: 

• God made a covenant with both Abraham (Genesis 15) and David (2 Samuel 7, 1 Chronicles 17:11–14 and 2 Chronicles 6:16). 
• God would bless (save) all nations through Abraham (Genesis 22: 18). 
• God would establish God’s Kingdom here on earth through David (2 Samuel 7, 1 Chronicles 17:11–14 and 2 Chronicles 6:16). 

Joseph, at first, didn’t get it until when God’s angel would appear to him in a dream. That happened after he had resolved to let Mary go when he had found out she was pregnant. 

Remember, in the Jewish tradition, and since Mary and Joseph were only engaged, Mary getting pregnant before consummating their marriage was very bad. It would look like she had committed adultery, and the penalty for that act is death (read Leviticus 20: 10). 

Mary was about to either be stoned to death or cast out of the community. Joseph, however, didn’t want her to go through all this. 

Joseph was a person of justice

Yes, Joseph was a person of justice. But, he was so according to human wisdom. His justice consisted of letting Mary go in secret (Matthew 1: 19).  He didn’t want to put her to any disgrace and shame. 

Even though he had such a great idea about protecting Mary and the baby she was bearing, that was, however, not how God had planned things. 

God’s plan was for Joseph to be there for Mary and baby Jesus when he is born, no matter what. And, there was no accident about every single event in the life of Joseph. 

For example, look at Matthew 1: 17, 

Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Messiah

Would you truly say that was an accident?

Not at all.

God is in control, and especially about the plan to redeem all of us through Jesus Christ.

So, God had to make sure that God’s plan for Jesus, our Messiah, to be born and accomplish His mission, would come to pass.

And, Joseph was the person God had placed in this time and context for all of that. 

Joseph, a person who listens to God

What changes everything in Joseph’s approach to Mary’s pregnancy is his choice to listen to God.

[click_to_tweet tweet=”Choosing to listen to God, not only changes our approach to life but primarily our perception of everything in and around us. ” quote=”Choosing to listen to God, not only changes our approach to life but primarily our perception of everything in and around us. ” theme=”style1″]

Joseph has dreams and chooses to listen to God. Read Matthew 1: 20-21, and there you come across Joseph’s dream. 

The Bible talks about two primary dreams. The first one is about not letting Mary go (Matthew 1: 20-21).

This dream will change Joseph’s understanding of justice. He’s going to embrace God’s justice instead of human’s. 

Dreams are one way God speaks to us. That’s why I encourage you to start keeping track of your dreams. See Job 33: 14-18. 

Later on, and soon after the birth of Jesus, God would speak again, and in another dream, to Joseph asking him to go to Egypt. Of course, Joseph listens and takes his family, Mary, and baby Jesus, to that country. 

Joseph was, therefore, present in the lives of Mary and Jesus until when He was a young adult. 

Here’s what we can learn from Joseph

• Listening to God helps us learn how to best be there for other people. It happened to Joseph, and by doing so, both Mary and Jesus were protected. As a result, Jesus was able to accomplish what He had come to do here on earth for us all. 
• Being present for someone helps us fulfill God’s mission. 
• Being present in someone else’s life helps us fulfill God’s justice, not ours. 

Joseph is a man who often catches the attention of most us only around Christmas. He was a God-fearing man, and never afraid to obey at any cost. 

So, what else do you think we could also learn from Joseph? I want to hear from you. Write it down in the comment box.