2024_12_25 Insight Post- Rusty Coram
This week’s reading- Matthew 1:16-25, Matthew 2:13-23, Luke 2:4-52, Luke 3:23, Luke 4:22, John 1:45, John 6:42
Joseph’s example has so inspired me as a man of character and faithfulness that Becky and I named our son after him. As we read about him, we see Joseph handle very tough situations with faith, integrity, courage, and decisiveness. For example, when he discovers Mary’s pregnancy, knowing he isn’t the father; when he has to take Mary and go register for the census with her soon to deliver and him as her only family; then later, when they hastily leave Bethlehem to escape the soldiers charged with killing their young son. Throughout this, we see Joseph as a man of few words but who is loving and caring towards his wife and son. The picture we get of Joseph is a man who deliberately honors God without striving for personal praise and attention. As Jesus grows up, Joseph and Mary have other children. Joseph continues to faithfully provide for them through his carpentry work. He mentors Jesus in this trade and beyond woodworking skills, shows Jesus what a God-honoring man lives like. We know little else about him, but this is a lot.
Joseph was assigned to be the earthly father of God’s Son. He didn’t have a special set of instructions, just the same Bible (Old Testament) all followers had. Without fanfare or special recognition, Joseph faithfully lived out his responsibilities. Our world needs men like this. We don’t need more celebrities, social influencers, action heroes, or over-the-top personalities. We just need more men who choose to trust and obey, regardless of their station in life, and who are faithful to be God’s men on the scene.
Rusty Coram
Senior Pastor