Archive for the ‘Heavenly Father’ tag
July 26, 2009: Joseph, the Father
The text for this lesson is Matthew 2:13–15, 19–23; Luke 11:11–12; Ephesians 6:1–4; 1 Thessalonians 2:11–12.
Key Points
- The heavenly Father used dutiful Joseph to deliver His Son from death at the hands of Herod to preserve Him for death in due time on the cross.
- Law: Countless children today are in danger because men and women—including government officials—see them as a problem rather than a blessing.
- Gospel: Jesus’ death—not as an infant but far more painfully on the cross—has redeemed each of those children and the adults who threaten them.
- Law: Raising a family demands sacrifices of money, time, and freedom—sacrifices many men make in word only.
- Gospel: Since the heavenly Father sacrificed His Son, we are able to make great personal sacrifices willingly, knowing we still have everything we truly need.
- Law: Being a father is often a thankless job that is not highly honored in today’s world.
- Gospel: God honors men highly by allowing them to raise His dear children in faith.
Context
Joseph was Mary’s husband and a carpenter by trade, who was thought by many to be the biological father of Jesus (Luke 4:22; John 1:45, 6:42). The Gospels testify that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit; therefore, God was His Father (Matthew 1:18–25). Nonetheless, Joseph faithfully cared for Jesus as his own son. Though Jesus knew that His Father was God, He loved and respected Joseph and fulfilled the Fourth Commandment (Luke 2:41–52).
Mary appears alone at the wedding at Cana (John 2:1–12) and throughout the Gospels, so we do not know what happened to Joseph.
Jesus is the Son of God by birth (His human nature) and God the Son in essence (His divine nature). The Baptism of Jesus (Matthew 3:13–17) shows His unique relationship with the Father. Through our Baptism into Christ and faith in Him, we become children of the heavenly Father (Galatians 3:26–27; John 3:5).
