Greater love hath no man than this,
that a man lay down his life for his friends.
(John 15:13 KJV)
Joseph, a humble Jewish carpenter, married a woman who was pregnant with a child that wasn’t his child. In Joseph’s time this created a huge scandal. First he loved and obeyed God by marrying Mary even though she was pregnant and then he loved the child Jesus as if He were his own son. Today we would pat Joseph on the back and commend him for doing the right thing
Joseph was betrothed to Mary, a young Jewish maiden. He was older than her by several years and had already established his reputation as a carpenter and a Jew who followed the Laws of Moses. When it was discovered that Mary was pregnant, the Laws of Moses dictated that Joseph should abandon her and let her be stoned to death. But Joseph chose to continue with his betrothal and marry her, and then when the child Jesus was born Joseph raised him. Joseph followed God, and because of it, lost his reputation and business, and was forced to leave his homeland and flee to Egypt to save the life of Jesus. Through all of this Joseph chose to follow God and sacrifice everything that defined him.
He persevered in the face of shame and degradation from his fellow Jews, as well as the wrath and fear of Herod.
Joseph died sometime before Jesus began his ministry on earth, but while he lived, he provided Jesus with an earthly father. As Jesus father he sacrificed himself for his love of God and his family.
We may not know much about Joseph, except that when God called, he didn’t question, didn’t complain, he just did it. As Christian families, we should look to Joseph as an example of the kind of familial love we should aspire to. In spite of all obstacles Joseph chose to love God, Mary and Jesus. For his sacrifice he got to share in the life of Jesus, to be his father and to love Mary and God. What an honor.
Christina Weigand
Christina Weigand’s a writer, wife, and mother of four. She is also Nana to three granddaughters. She lives with her husband and youngest daughter in Cranberry Twp. Pennsylvania, returning there after a short sabbatical in Washington. Currently, she’s working on fantasy novels and inspirational writing. Through her writing, she strives to share the Word of God and help people young and old to realize the love and mercy He has for everyone. When she’s not writing, she’s active in her local Church as a lector, Bible Study, volunteering at her daughter’s school helping the children develop a love for reading and writing. Jesus fills her home with love as she shares Him through her writing.
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