A Mature Man Of Faith, Part 1

A Mature Man of Faith, Part 1

Christmas stories, plays, and sermons this month have us thinking about the star, stable, and shepherds. We hear about Mary, the baby Jesus, and the wise men. We’re reminded that there was no room in the inn. We may hear a performance of Mary’s Song from Luke 1 that proclaims, “My soul magnifies the Lord,” and wonder what it must have been like to carry the Messiah.

Less often do we hear a message about Joseph, but Joseph is vital to the story too. You see, Joseph is a picture of a mature man of faith. Look at what Scripture says about Joseph when he found out Mary was with child. Matthew 1:18-20 states, “This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly. As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream.”

Do you see the character of Joseph on display? He was a just man who was unwilling to shame others, and he gave thought to his ways. We would be wise to develop our character so that when someone disappoints us, we respond in the same manner.

Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.

Matthew 1:19