Father Role Models
(An angel of the Lord said to Joseph) "Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child's life are dead." And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. Matthew 2:20-21 ESV
Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, is the last of the father role models under study. This adoptive father does not receive much attention in the Bible. But what we learn of him reveals an exemplary Christian father. And while Jesus was perfect in every way and therefore didn’t need a father role model to imitate, nevertheless we can still learn from him in regard to fatherhood.
The first thing that comes to our attention is Joseph’s unquestioning faith in God and His Word. When he learned from the Lord the most unique and unfathomable way of Jesus being conceived by the Holy Spirit, he didn’t show any hesitation in accepting this and proceeded to take Mary home as his wife.
As an angel warned Joseph of the danger Jesus was in due to King Herod’s murderous plans to kill the baby, Joseph didn’t waste any time in protecting Mary and Jesus by quickly fleeing with them to Egypt.
With Joseph being the head of the family, he was faithful in providing for them, working very diligently at his trade of carpentry. No doubt, as Jesus was growing up he learned from Joseph the useful skills in this vocation.
During the years Jesus was living with Joseph and Mary, Joseph took the lead in the Christian practice of faithfully attending worship services at the local synagogue and making regular pilgrimages to Jerusalem where the religious festivals were observed.
Even though Joseph was a natural born sinner like all of us, there is no mention made in the Bible of any unfaithfulness on his part as a husband or a father. With all that is reported of Joseph, he is truly worthy of being numbered among the fine Christian father role models found in Holy Scripture.
O Lord God, heavenly Father, grant that fathers would learn from these examples before them of faithful men. Let them see, however imperfectly, through the forgiveness of Christ, to learn humility and grace to grow in their love and leadership. Amen.