12-9-13 Joseph step-father of Jesus

20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus. (Matthew 1:20-25)

13 When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”  14 So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, 15 where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.” (Matthew 2:13-15)

Thoughts: From the words above, we can see that this ordinary carpenter of the line of old kings, was continually listening and obeying God. Joseph knew his role was to protect, provide and care for the Messiah and his wife.  So he married Mary to provider her and her child a home.  So he went to Egypt and back listening to God's voice.  Would that we had the listening ear of Joseph.  Would that we would seek God's will as Joseph did.
     Joseph was the step-father of Jesus.  He adopted Jesus as his own, and is a great example as a step-father.  To be a step-father is a special gift.  Joseph gave himself for others and sacrificed everything for Mary and Jesus.  Would that we had that opportunity to give to Jesus as Joseph gave.  

Prayer: Give me ears to hear and a willingness to obey you, Lord.  

(De Silva's 1599 portrait of Joseph.  I like it because early traditions portray Joseph as an older man who died when Jesus was between 12 and 30.  There is much mention of Mary but no mention of Joseph after Jesus went to the Temple when he was 12.  Perhaps he escaped from Joseph at the Temple because he could not keep up with him because of his old age).