Remember the Stepfathers

This is a sermon I gave two weeks ago, it meant a lot to me. God Bless.

     This time of year, when speaking of Jesus’s birth, we concentrate not only on the babe, but on Mary. She was the one who was visited by Gabriel foretelling the Christ’s Birth. She was the one who would be called blessed throughout the ages. She was the one who would have to carry the child and face the false charges and gossip about her pregnancy. And she was the one who would have to go through the pain and unsanitary conditions of giving birth where the animals are kept. 

     But we tend to overlook the other participant in this story.  I am speaking of a man who we are not told a lot about, but in whom God placed so MUCH trust, confidence and love that he gave him one of the highest honors to be bestowed upon any in the bible. I’m speaking of Jesus’s Step-father, Joseph. 

     I was raised by a step-father. A very stern and strict Army Drill Sergeant. It took me years to understand what it meant to be in his shoes. He was not perfect, was not given to lovey-dovey talk. He was shaped by experiences in war that I could not know, because he didn’t share them. But he provided a roof over my head, food on the table and clothes on my body. And he taught me how to hunt, fish and provide for myself. He taught me many things that did not appear in my character until I was older and out of my teenage and young adult life of self-centeredness. I realize now how he taught me me honor and love of country that is now a part of my psyche as a middle-aged man.   

   Was there baggage from being raised as I was? The old saying the rottenest kids are Cop’s kids and Preacher’s kids holds true for Drill Sergeant’s kids also. I rebelled from the authority as a teen, but also became the Cop and then the Preacher in that old saying. 

    But, knowing through the Gospel that we all are sinners and have faults (that’s why we needed a Savior) I have come to appreciate and love him like I never did before. He is gone now, but some of him lives on in me. 

     See, step-dad’s are special. Where biological fathers have a bodily and blood connection with a child, step-fathers must have a love for the mother and in turn, for her child to provide the same care. We see in that story of Joseph a man full of love, not only for Mary, but for God. Let’s look at scripture and read the first mention of Joseph’s story in Matthew Chapter 1:Mat 1:18  Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
Mat 1:19  Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. Mat 1:20  But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. Mat 1:21  And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Mat 1:22  Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Mat 1:23  Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Mat 1:24  Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: Mat 1:25  And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.        Why did God choose Joseph to be the earthly father of Jesus? Was there something special about him that made him God’s choice? I think we can answer that question by taking a look at Joseph who was only betrothed to Mary when he found out his betrothed was pregnant.   

     Let’s try to look through the eyes of Joseph at all that was happening during the birth of Jesus. To me, Joseph is a prime biblical example of what it takes to be a godly father to a child who is not your flesh and blood.

Why Is Joseph A Good Example Of Being An Earthly Father?     Many people do not realize that Joseph was a step parent. Somehow it slips through our filtering system when looking at this story but Jesus was not Joseph’s biological child and as such, he is a step father to Jesus.I believe in this passage and from what we can infer from another passage, Joseph was a great example of what a godly step parent should be like.So let’s take a look and find out what we can learn about Joseph’s heart towards Jesus and how we can apply that to our own lives.

#1 Joseph wanted to do what was right but with a spirit of compassion.In verse 19 we see that Joseph was a good man and was just going to break off the engagement quietly and not put Mary to shame. It was Joseph’s right under Old Testament law to have her stoned. However this was not his heart. He was a compassionate man. He didn’t want to condone what had happened but he also did not want to punish her. Here we see the fine balance between justice and mercy.     He was doing what was right with the information that he had, but he also was not using  Mary’s perceived failure as an opportunity to exact vengeance.Why do I say vengeance?Think about how hurt and betrayed Joseph must have felt? This was, in his eyes, proof of infidelity and unfaithfulness. It was a broken promise, and un-kept vow.

#2 Joseph was obedient to the Lord even if it brought personal sacrifice and humiliation.     In verse 24 we see that Joseph was obedient to the instructions he received by an angel in a dream.Now we need to remember that this was going to make him look like he was willing to marry a sinful woman. He was marrying a perceived fornicator. This was going to cost him with public humiliation. He was going to “lose face” so to say.     Secondly he was going to have to wait to consummate the marriage until after Jesus was born in order for Mary to stay a virgin until the birth of Jesus. Not only was he asked to be chaste prior to marriage, but he was asked to be chaste even after marriage! How many men are willing to do that?His obedience to God cost him both public humiliation and a huge exercise in self-control and discipline.

#3 Joseph treated Jesus as one of his own.     Take a look at how the public viewed Jesus and his relationship with Joseph.

Mat 13:55  Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? 

      The public viewed Jesus as the son of Joseph. They didn’t view him as the stepson,  or illegitimate son but as Joseph’s son. This was a man who took on the responsibility of raising a child who was not his own out of his love for the child’s mother and in obedience to God.  Now, this does not apply just to Step-fathers. Joseph’s lesson applies also to step-moms, grandparents, uncles, aunts or anyone who is an influence to a child. God has put YOU in that place for them as an example they will always remember. Joseph needs to be remembered at Christmas also, after all, Jesus does through His Holy Word!