The Bible tells the story of many important people, but one man who is often overlooked is Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus. He was not Jesus’ biological father, but he played a very important role in the life of Jesus and the plan of God. In this article, we will look at what the Bible says about Joseph. We will use simple language and go step by step through what we can learn from him. Joseph’s story is found mainly in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke.
Joseph’s Background
Joseph lived in a small town called Nazareth in the region of Galilee. He was a descendant of King David. This is important because the prophets in the Old Testament said that the Messiah would come from David’s family line. Matthew 1:1-16 and Luke 3:23-38 give us the genealogy of Jesus, showing that Joseph came from David’s line.
Joseph Was a Carpenter
Matthew 13:55 says, “Is this not the carpenter’s son?” This shows that Joseph was known in the town as a carpenter. Carpentry was hard work. Joseph worked with his hands, shaping wood and building things. He likely taught Jesus this trade as well.
Joseph Was a Righteous Man
Matthew 1:19 says Joseph was a “just man” or “righteous man.” This means he loved God and tried to do what was right. He followed God’s laws. He did not act out of anger or pride. Instead, he tried to do what was kind and good, even in hard times.
The Birth of Jesus
The Engagement to Mary
Joseph was engaged to Mary. In Jewish culture, engagement was very serious, almost like being married. Before they lived together, Joseph learned that Mary was pregnant. He knew he was not the father. This must have been very hard for him.
Joseph’s First Dream
In Matthew 1:20-21, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream. The angel said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” The angel told Joseph that Mary’s baby was from God. He said the baby’s name would be Jesus, and He would save people from their sins. Joseph listened and obeyed.
Joseph Takes Mary as His Wife
Joseph did what the angel said. He took Mary as his wife but did not sleep with her until after Jesus was born (Matthew 1:24-25). This showed his obedience and self-control. He accepted a difficult situation because he trusted God.
The Journey to Bethlehem
In Luke 2:1-5, Joseph took Mary to Bethlehem for a census. This was a long trip, and Mary was close to giving birth. Joseph cared for her and made sure they obeyed the law. Jesus was born there, just as the prophets had said.
The Visit of the Shepherds
Luke 2:16-19 tells us that shepherds came to see Jesus after angels told them the Savior had been born. Joseph and Mary were amazed at what they heard. Joseph was quietly watching all these events. Though the Bible does not record his words, his actions show his faith.
Protecting Jesus
The Visit of the Wise Men
In Matthew 2:1-12, wise men came from the East to worship Jesus. They brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. King Herod, however, wanted to kill Jesus. God warned the wise men not to return to Herod, so they went home another way.
Joseph’s Second Dream: Escape to Egypt
In Matthew 2:13-15, an angel warned Joseph in a dream to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt. Joseph obeyed right away. He took his family and traveled far to protect Jesus. They stayed in Egypt until Herod died. This also fulfilled the prophecy in Hosea 11:1, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”
Joseph’s Third Dream: Return to Israel
After Herod died, an angel appeared to Joseph in another dream (Matthew 2:19-20). The angel told him it was safe to go back to Israel. Joseph again obeyed without question.
Joseph’s Fourth Dream: Move to Nazareth
When Joseph heard that Herod’s son was ruling in Judea, he was afraid to go there. In another dream, God told him to go to Galilee instead. So he settled in Nazareth (Matthew 2:22-23). This fulfilled another prophecy that Jesus would be called a Nazarene.
Joseph’s Role as a Father
Jesus Was Known as Joseph’s Son
People in Nazareth referred to Jesus as “the carpenter’s son” (Matthew 13:55) and “Joseph’s son” (Luke 4:22). This shows that Joseph raised Jesus as his own child. He gave Jesus a home and taught him.
The Visit to the Temple
Luke 2:41-52 tells the story of Jesus at age 12 visiting the temple in Jerusalem with Joseph and Mary. They went every year for Passover. When Jesus stayed behind, Mary and Joseph looked for him for three days. This shows how deeply they cared for him. When they found him, Jesus said he had to be in His Father’s house. Joseph likely did not fully understand, but he accepted this.
Joseph Taught Jesus Obedience and Work
Though the Bible does not give many details, it is clear that Joseph raised Jesus with love and guidance. He taught him the Jewish faith, hard work, and responsibility. Jesus grew in wisdom and favor with God and people (Luke 2:52), and Joseph played a role in this growth.
The Disappearance of Joseph
No Mention in Jesus’ Ministry
After the story of Jesus at age 12, Joseph is not mentioned again. He is not present at the wedding in Cana (John 2:1-11), where Jesus performed His first miracle, and he is not mentioned at the crucifixion. Most Bible scholars believe Joseph died before Jesus began His ministry.
Jesus’ Care for Mary
At the cross, Jesus told John to take care of Mary (John 19:26-27). This suggests that Joseph had already died, and Jesus was making sure his mother was not alone.
Lessons from Joseph’s Life
Obedience to God
Every time God spoke to Joseph, he obeyed right away. He did not argue or delay. His obedience shows that he trusted God completely.
Righteous Character
Joseph treated Mary with kindness even when he thought she had wronged him. He chose mercy instead of judgment. This shows his good heart and his desire to please God.
Protective and Responsible
Joseph protected Jesus and Mary. He traveled long distances and made difficult choices to keep them safe. He was a provider and a protector.
Humble and Quiet
Joseph never speaks in the Bible. Not one word of his is recorded. Yet his actions speak louder than words. He did not seek attention. He simply did what was right.
Conclusion
Joseph was chosen by God for a special task. He was not the biological father of Jesus, but he was a true father in every other way. He loved, protected, and guided Jesus. His story teaches us about faith, obedience, humility, and strength. Even though he is sometimes forgotten, Joseph’s example is powerful and inspiring.
By learning from Joseph, we can understand more about what it means to live a life that honors God. He reminds us that we do not need to be in the spotlight to be important. Quiet faithfulness matters. The Bible honors Joseph through his actions, and we can honor him by following his example.
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